SERGEI PARADJANOV through the lens of YURI MECHITOV May 20, 2010

Sergei Paradjanov was a visionary artist and filmmaker. The exhibition is composed of rarely seen photographs taken by Yuri Mechitov during his 11 year friendship with the director, documenting the last decade of Paradjanov's life in Tbilisi, the Georgian capital city where they both lived. To Mechitov, Paradjanov was not only a great director but a close friend, an inspiring teacher and an extraordinary man.The moments captured by Mechitov’s camera uncover a kaleidoscope of amusing situations, contrasting moods, remarkable filmmaking occasions and expressive backdrops. Placed in the context of the photographer’s reminiscences these images reveal Paradjanov as a man, a friend and an artist with his love for life and beauty.

Yuri Mechitov is travelling from Tbilisi to attend the opening of the exhibition and will give a talk about his work on 28th May at the gallery.

SCREENINGS
On Monday 24th May at 8pm. Paradjanov's best known film The Colour of Pomegranates (1968) followed by the documentary, Paradjanov's Code (2005) by Levon Grigoryan will be shown at The Palace Cinema, Cinderford. GL14 2AA. £4.80/£3.80 Refreshments from 7.30pm
The following screenings will be held in the gallery upstairs at the George:
Friday 28TH MAY at 8pm An illustrated talk by Yuri Mechitov followed by the film The Legend of Suram Fortress (1984) Sergei Paradjanov and Dodo Abashidze.
FRIDAY 4TH JUNE 8pm Film screening Ashik Kerib (1988) Sergei Paradjanov followed by the documentary Paradjanov: A Requiem (1994) by Ron Holloway. at the gallery. Holloway's study is an absorbing portrait offering an affectionate and insightful look at the tumultuous career of Paradjanov as artist, dissident, romantic and iconoclast
FRIDAY 11TH JUNE 8pm Film screening Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (1964) Sergei Paradjanov.