The Color of Pomegranates

Director: Sergei Parajanov

1969 / 79min / DCP

Georgian Armenian visionary Parajanov’s second feature after his break with the dowdy confines of Socialist Realism that produced the efflorescence of Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (1965)—and his last for almost two decades following a period of relentless political persecution—The Color of Pomegranates depicts the life of the 18th-century troubadour and poet Sayat-Nova through delicately composed tableaux vivants, inspired by Armenian and Persian illuminated miniatures, and an intricate soundtrack filled with song and musique concrète… though extraordinarily sparing with spoken dialogue. “Of a stunningly perfect beauty. Parajanov, in my opinion, is one of the best film directors in the world.” —Michelangelo Antonioni

Restored by The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project and the Cineteca di Bologna, in association with the National Cinema Centre of Armenia and Gosfilmofond of Russia, and funded by the Material World Charitable Foundation.