“In the temple of cinema there are images, light and reality. Sergei Parajanov was the master of that temple…” Jean-Luc Godard

Inspired by ancient manuscript vitrines and camera slate boards, this exhibition repurposes over three hours of newly scanned, unseen film footage and camera tests from director Sergei Parajanov’s masterpiece ‘The Colour of Pomegranates’. The film, described by Martin Scorsese as ‘like opening a door and walking into another dimension, where time has stopped and beauty has been unleashed’, was inspired by 18th–century Armenian poet and musician Sayat–Nova.

“This singular artist creates a world of incredible internal motion and hypnotizing beauty.” Atom Egoyan

In the Soviet era, outtakes were usually burnt to recycle the silver in the negative film stock. Incredibly, the hours of original footage shot for ‘The Colour of Pomegranates’ (originally known as Sayat Nova) were saved and have now been fully restored. Never seen before in the UK, they offer a stunning series of dreamlike tableaux and a remarkable insight into Parajanov’s creative process.

See the full programme for accompanying events taking place.

Our thanks to curator and film historian Daniel Bird and the Cinema Foundation of Armenia. The Cinema Foundation of Armenia is tasked with supporting films, their archiving, preservation, and circulation, while also backing research, educational, and development programs.