Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors
Sergej Paradzjanov / SUHH, 1964 / 96 min.
After being denied and repressed by a succession of rulers, traditional Ukrainian culture reborn thanks to this romantic tragedy in the vein of Romeo and Juliet. Parajanov’s unique film style does away cinematic conventions. Screening to commemorate Paradzjanov’s 100th anniversary in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam.
After being denied and repressed by a succession of rulers, traditional Ukrainian culture was reborn thanks to Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors. At the premiere in Kyiv the film had the effect of a(n) (anti-)revolutionary deed. 20 of the Ukrainian cultural elite were arrested. Parajanov and cameraman Iljenko ultimately won many international prizes for the film.
Parajanov’s prior films had still been (a)politically correct just as he had been taught at film school in Moscow, and which he distanced himself from. In Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors Parajanov’s style changed radically into something unique. With unusual camera movements and a contrasting soundtrack, he elicits a magical, surreal atmosphere. From this film on onwards he would create his own mythical reality.
In certain respects the director was definitely influenced by his time studying in Moscow: the natural lyricism is reminiscent of Earth by Dovzjenko, the Ukrainian who was his lecturer there. Parajanov’s idiosyncratic style was continued and expanded upon in The Color of Pomegranates and The Legend of Suram Fortress. This is the director’s cut of the film and is 15 minutes longer than the copy released in the Netherlands.
Restored by The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project and Cineteca di Bologna at L’Immagine Ritrovata laboratory, in association with the Dovzhenko Film Studio and in collaboration with the Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Centre. Special thanks to Olena Honcharuk and Daniel Bird. Funding provided by the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation
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Details
Director
Sergej Paradzjanov
Production year
1964
Country
SUHH
Original title
Tini zabutykh predkiv
Length
96 min.
Language
Ukrainian
Subtitles
ENG
Format
DCP
Part of
Eye Classics
Eye’s collection includes a wealth of classics. With the Eye Classics series, Eye brings film history even closer. Every week, we screen at least three classics from the collection under one recognisable name: Eye Classics.
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