A portrait of the revered 18th-century Armenian poet and musician Sayat Nova, the ‘King of Song’. Through his poetry and a series of lavish tableaux, the film charts his life from humble weaver, to king’s minstrel and cloistered monk before being martyred for his faith by invading Persians.
Director
Sergei Parajanov
Bio: One of the 20th century's greatest masters of cinema, Sergei Parajanov was born in Georgia to Armenian parents. After studying film and music, he made his directorial debut in 1954. His 1964 film Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors showcased Ukrainian folk culture, revealing his unique talent. He followed with the innovative The Color of Pomegranates (1969), but faced imprisonment on dubious charges during the 1970s. With perestroika, he created The Legend of the Surami Fortress (1985) and Ashik Kerib (1988), passing away from cancer in 1990.
