Parajanov and Vartanov were both politically outspoken and controversial figures during the Soviet regime of the 1970s.
What are the elements of the film that make it unique and important to preserve?
And just like paintings at great museums, they have to be preserved for history.
‘The Color of Pomegranates’ by director Sergei ParajanovIFEX/Armenfilm
Its continuing to spread, inspiring amazing musicians and artists Madonna, Lady Gaga, and many others.
Its very difficult now to show the film in the original format, which is 35 mm.
This film, which is about an hour long, has only about 10 minutes of voiceover.
Parajanov-Vartanov Institute
Its from a different world.
And I think critics who have seen this film have appreciated it…
The L.A. Times wrote that its exquisitely interweaved to evoke the very soul of the genius.
Its true because most of the film shows you and does not tell you whats going on.
And it takes, as they often say, more active participation in the process of watching.
Martin Scorsese wrote wonderful words about it.
DEADLINE:What did the restoration process entail onThe Color of PomegranatesandParajanov: The Last Spring?
They reconstructed the film in that way.
And withParajanov: The Last Spring, [the film was made] under unimaginable conditions.
This is how the film was created under these crazy conditions.
And all of that was not available.
And so it was just printed in the best way they could manage under insanely difficult conditions.
So we had to be very careful.
Both of these films were scanned and restored in 4K.
Deadline:For what alleged crime was Sergei Parajanov imprisoned during the Soviet era?
MV:Im glad you asked it because there are sometimes misconceptions about this.
People were learning from him, being influenced by him.
It was this particular intervention that finally was the reason why they let him out.
Deadline: The Color of Pomegranateshighlights the life of Armenian poet and musician Sayat Nova.
MV:[The Color of Pomegranates] is loosely about Sayat Nova.
He was an inspirational figure for Parajanov.
Sayat Nova wrote in several languages and was a beloved figure in the region.
But what happened was the Soviets basically needed a film for the anniversary of Sayat Nova.
Obviously, they expected a film that conformed to the socialist realism the sanctioned style there.
They got something completely different.
So they removed many references to Sayat Nova.
Deadline:Your father, Mikhail Vartanov, had a close friendship with Sergei Parajanov.
Why was the relationship between them so important?
MV:Its very interesting and fascinating, moving stuff.
They wrote many letters to each other.
So this exchange shows you what their friendship was like.
He [Parajanov] was only allowed two letters per month…
It shows you how close and important their relationship was.
Then to come back and present the world premiere ofParajanov: The Last Springis very meaningful.
And now theyre showing together.
This union of these two filmmakers is part of my life… Its very moving and important.
But the fact that its the Academy Museum, Im really delighted and grateful to everyone there and UCLA.
