Sergei Parajanov, Georgian-Armenian director and screenwriter (d. 1990)

Sergei Parajanov, born on January 9, 1924, and passing on July 20, 1990, was a towering figure in 20th-century cinema. This Soviet Armenian film director, screenwriter, and artist left an indelible mark on world cinema with his profoundly innovative and visually poetic works. Often referred to by various transliterations of his name, including Paradzhanov or Paradjanov, his identity was as rich and multifaceted as his artistry, drawing from his Armenian heritage, birth in Georgia (სერგო ფარაჯანოვი), extensive work in Ukraine (Сергій Ио́сипович Параджа́нов), and final resting place in Armenia (Սերգեյ Փարաջանով).

Parajanov’s contributions are widely acknowledged by film critics, film historians, and fellow filmmakers, who consistently rank him among the greatest and most influential cinematic auteurs in history. His unique vision transcended conventional storytelling, crafting a distinctive cinematic language that continues to inspire generations.

A Revolutionary Cinematic Style

Parajanov developed an entirely unique cinematic style, a radical departure from the prevailing artistic norms of the Soviet Union. His work stood in stark contrast to Socialist Realism, the only officially sanctioned art style in the USSR. Socialist Realism mandated art to be didactic, accessible, and to glorify the Soviet state, portraying an idealized, often sanitized, reality.

In opposition to this rigid doctrine, Parajanov’s films were characterized by:

This uncompromising artistic vision, combined with his non-conformist lifestyle and personal behavior, inevitably brought him into direct conflict with the Soviet authorities. Consequently, he faced relentless persecution, repeated imprisonments, and the systemic suppression of his groundbreaking films.

Global Recognition Despite Soviet Suppression

Despite the severe repression he endured within the USSR, Parajanov’s genius could not be entirely contained. His films garnered significant international acclaim, paradoxically amplifying his influence while he was being stifled at home. Notably, the Rotterdam International Film Festival recognized his foresight, naming him one of the "20 Film Directors of the Future." Furthermore, the esteemed British Film Institute's magazine, Sight & Sound, frequently ranked his works among the greatest films of all time, cementing his legacy in global cinema history.

The Transformative Period of 1965

Sergei Parajanov began his professional filmmaking career in 1954, but he later disowned all the films he created prior to 1965, famously dismissing them as "garbage." This candid assessment stemmed from his belief that these earlier works, largely conforming to Soviet cinematic conventions, did not truly reflect his burgeoning artistic philosophy or unique visual language. They were, in his view, compromises made within a restrictive system.

The turning point arrived with the release of Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (1965), known in most foreign distributions as Wild Horses of Fire. This film was a revelation, marking Parajanov’s definitive embrace of his distinctive style. It was a visually stunning and ethnographically rich portrayal of Ukrainian Hutsul folklore, instantly propelling him to international celebrity status. However, this newfound global recognition simultaneously made him an even greater target for the Soviet Union’s repressive apparatus.

From 1965 to 1973, nearly all of Parajanov's film projects and plans faced outright bans, were scrapped, or abruptly shut down by Soviet film administrations. This suppression came from both local authorities in Kyiv (Ukrainian SSR) and Yerevan (Armenian SSR), as well as the federal Goskino (State Committee for Cinematography) in Moscow, often without any genuine discussion or artistic merit consideration. This period of artistic suffocation culminated in his arrest in late 1973 on what were widely recognized as false charges of rape, homosexuality, and bribery—accusations often fabricated to neutralize cultural dissidents and non-conformists.

Years of Persecution and a Triumphant Return

Parajanov was imprisoned until 1977, enduring four years in harsh labor camps and nine months in a Tbilisi prison. His unjust incarceration drew widespread international condemnation, prompting pleas for his pardon from a constellation of renowned artists and intellectuals, including Jean-Luc Godard, Federico Fellini, Andrei Tarkovsky, Michelangelo Antonioni, and Yves Montand, among many others. Despite this global outcry, Soviet authorities remained largely unyielding.

Even after his release, Parajanov remained a persona non grata in Soviet cinema, effectively blacklisted and marginalized. He was arrested for a third and final time in 1982, further disrupting his life and career. It was not until the mid-1980s, coinciding with the political climate's gradual relaxation under Mikhail Gorbachev's policies of Glasnost and Perestroika, that he was finally able to resume directing. Even then, it required the crucial assistance of influential figures like Georgian actor Dodo Abashidze and other dedicated friends to secure the green light for his final feature films, The Legend of Suram Fortress (1984) and Ashik Kerib (1988).

The ordeal of his imprisonment severely weakened his health.

A Profound Legacy and Cultural Identity

Sergei Parajanov tragically succumbed to lung cancer in 1990. Poignantly, his death occurred at a time when, after nearly two decades of state-imposed suppression, his visionary films were finally beginning to receive the widespread recognition they deserved at major international film festivals. His complex identity, woven into the fabric of the Soviet Union's diverse republics, was beautifully articulated in a 1988 interview:

"Everyone knows that I have three Motherlands. I was born in Georgia, worked in Ukraine and I'm going to die in Armenia."

This statement encapsulates his profound connection to the different cultural landscapes that shaped his life and art. Parajanov is buried at the revered Komitas Pantheon in Yerevan, Armenia, a distinguished cemetery reserved for Armenia's most prominent artists and public figures, signifying his enduring stature in Armenian cultural heritage.

Accolades and Lasting Influence

Parajanov's films have garnered numerous prestigious awards at international film festivals, solidifying his place in cinematic history. These accolades include prizes from:

His work continues to be celebrated and studied globally. A comprehensive retrospective of his films, a curated exhibition showcasing his entire body of work, took place in the UK in 2010 at BFI Southbank. This significant event was meticulously curated by Layla Alexander-Garrett and Elisabetta Fabrizi, a leading Parajanov specialist. As part of the retrospective, a new Parajanov-inspired commission titled 'Retrospectre' by contemporary artist Matt Collishaw was featured in the BFI Gallery, demonstrating his ongoing influence on contemporary art. The event also included a dedicated symposium, bringing together experts from various fields to discuss, analyze, and celebrate Parajanov's monumental contributions to both cinema and the broader world of art.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sergei Parajanov