Synopsis

From Sergei Paradjanov (The Legend of Suram Fortress, 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 forced to roam the land for 1,001 nights. In recounting the story, Paradjanov boldly dispenses with conventional storytelling devices. 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.

USSR 1988 74 min. Color Original Aspect Ratio (1.33:1) In Georgian with optional English, French or Spanish subtitles

GEORGIA-FILM STUDIO presents A film by SERGEI PARADJANOV
ASHIK KERIB
Starring YURI MGOYAN SOFIKO CHIAURELI RAMAZ CHKHIKVADZE KONSTANTIN STEPANKOV BAYA DVALISHVILI and VERONIKA METONIDZE
Production Design GEORGY MESKHISHVILI SHOTA GOGOLASHVILI and NIKOLAI ZANDUKELI
Costume Design E. MAGALASHVILI
Cinematography ALBERT YAVURYAN and SERGO SIKHARULIDZE
Songs Sung by ALIM GASIMOV
Music by DZHAVANSHIR KULIYEV
Written by GUIYA BADRIDZE
From the story by MIKHAIL LERMONTOV
Assistant Director DAVID ABASHIDZE
Directed by SERGEI PARADJANOV
Copyright 1988 Filmexport Studios
Copyright 2007 Ruscico

Critical Acclaim

"A VISUAL FEAST! A rapturously strange, eccentric fairy tale... A most extraordinary film!" - Michael Wilmington, LOS ANGELES TIMES"

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