Parajanov: The Last Spring (1992)

Mikhail Vartanov's influential documentary about the imprisoned genius Sergei Parajanov who was persecuted "during the height of his artistic power," for his unruly life style and ... See full summary »

Directors:

Mikhail Vartanov, Sergei Parajanov

Writers:

Martin Vartanov, Mikhail Vartanov,

Stars:

Sergei Parajanov, Sofiko Chiaureli, Mikhail Vartanov

3 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sergei Parajanov	...	Himself - Maestro
Sofiko Chiaureli	...	Mother in 'The Confession'
Mikhail Vartanov	...	Himself
Yuri Mgoyan	...	Relative in 'The Confession'
Aleksandr Kaydanovskiy	...	Himself, Tarkovsky's actor
Leila Alibegashvilli	...	Herself, Parajanov's actress
Suren Shakhbazyan	...	Himself, DP of Sayat Nova
Suren Parajanov	...	Himself (as Suren Paradjanov)
Svetlana Paradjanov	...	Herself (as Svetlana Paradjanova)
Irakli Kvirikadze	...	Himself
Gaiane Khachaturian	...	Herself, Painter (as Gayane Khachatryan)
Rezo Chkheidze	...	Himself, Writer
Silva Kaputikyan	...	Herself, Poet
Aleksandr Atanesyan	...	Himself
Bella Akhmadulina	...	Herself, Poet

Storyline

Mikhail Vartanov's influential documentary about the imprisoned genius Sergei Parajanov who was persecuted "during the height of his artistic power," for his unruly life style and non-conformist masterpieces -- "The Color of Pomegranates" and "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors" -- hailed as some of the greatest motion pictures of the 20th century. Made in a blockaded, war-torn Armenia, under the prohibitive conditions of only one hour daily limit of electricity, Parajanov: The Last Spring caused a sensation at its premieres in Russia and Armenia and influenced numerous future books, writings, and films. After the premiere in Russia, Tonino Guerra, the screenwriter of Federico Fellini and Michelangelo Antonioni, wrote: Mikhail Vartanov's film, Parajanov: The Last Spring, about the last days of our great Parajanov, excited and filled me with the strength to resume the way of the magnificent tale that the Maestro had taken. In Parajanov: The Last Spring, Mikhail Vartanov demystifies the ...

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Plot Keywords:

pomegranate | armenia | russia | prison | letter | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Armenia USA

Language:

Russian Armenian Ukrainian Georgian English

Release Date:

1 May 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Paradjanov: Den sista varen

Filming Locations:

Armenia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mozart Entertainment, Varda Nova Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

55 min

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Actress Sofiko Chiaureli, Jean Vigo's daughter, the film critic Luce Vigo and Jean Carzou's son, the author Jean-Marie Carzou attended the French premiere of Parajanov: The Last Spring.

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Quotes

Parajanov: And Vartanov, I am making for your son Martin a Tutankhamun doll.

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Crazy Credits

Screenwriter Martin Vartanov is credited as Martiros Vartanianz, which is the name of his grandfather born in the 19th century.

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Connections

Features The Color of Pomegranates (1968)

User Reviews

Moving ending

I don't remember the last time I wanted to see a documentary twice but I am a film student and this highly unusual documentary was completely inspirational and changed me greatly. It was really wonderful to watch Paradjanov working on the set, see those fantastic collages of Mona Lisa he made and find out about the horrors of his imprisonment. Not a typical documentary though, feels like a movie, like a dream. The ending almost made me cry, it is a genius ending. 9/10