I don’t have a fetish for Soviet Cinema, though much of it has impressed me as of late. And I must admit that I found Sergei Paradzhanov’s feature fairly inscrutable at my first viewing. The more I watch it, however, the more it reveals.
For those unfamiliar with Paradzhanov or this film, Sayat Nova concerns the writings of the noted eighteenth century troubadour poet, Sayat Nova. It’s an acknowledged masterwork by the very outspoken Armenian filmmaker, Paradzhanov, jailed repeatedly by Soviet authorities, who considered him a dissident. The hour long doc that accompanies the film on the Kino DVD features interviews with Paradzhanov. Indeed, it’s difficult to imagine a firebrand like this on the loose for long in Soviet Russia. Highly recommended.
by Marlin Tyree | Source: Kino Video DVD
15 Dec 2006 5:43 PM | Submit Comment
