Following the international success of Shadows of our Forgotten Ancestors (1965), Sergei Parajanov was commissioned by Armenfilm Studios in Yerevan to make a film about the life of Sayat-Nova. Parajanov’s poetic treatment of the life of 18th-century Armenian poet and troubadour, eschews the conventional biopic, instead using active tableaux to depict the poet’s life in chapters, creating a cinematic visualisation of Sayat-Nova’s poetry, mixing ethnic rituals with surrealistic happenings. 

Don’t miss the UK Premiere of Temple of Cinema #1: Sayat Nova Outtakes at Fabrica, 31st Oct – 10th Nov.