Ashik Kerib (1988)

Directors : Sergei Paradjanov

From Sergei Paradjanov (The Legend Of Suram Fortess, Shadows Of Forgotten Ancestors) one of the most acclaimed and experimental directors of the Soviet cinema, comes Ashik Kerib, a 19th century romantic tale evocatively brought to life.

Lermontov's famous fable tells of Ashik Kerib, the wandering minstrel who is trying to earn enough money to marry the girl he loves. But when the father of his beloved spurns him, Ashik is foced to roam the land for 1,001 nights. In recounting the story, Paradjanov boldly dispenses with conventional storytelling decives. Ashik Kerib is a series of glorious tableaux, exquisitely composed, choreographed and photographed. In addition, Paradjanov combines intertitles with images of early Russian artwork, which are then overlaid with a haunting blend of traditional and contemporary musical forms.

Ashik Kerib was Paradjanov's last completed feature film, and it was dedicated to Andrei Tarkovsky, the director's close personal friend, who had died just two years earlier. Stylistically stunning, it is a unique and unforgettable cinematic experience.