A Sentimental Journey to the Parajanov Planet
The mission of the Centre d'art et essai de la Cinémathèque québécoise (CAECQ) is to primary program Quebec-made documentaries and independent fiction, as well as international documentaries, animated and foreign films, while encouraging opportunities for meetings between the public and the artists. Its programming is presented in conjunction with the Cinémathèque québécoise’s under the label New releases.
This documentary takes an in-depth look at the artistic world of a genius filmmaker and brilliant artist, Sergei Parajanov, employing surreal puppetry and archival footage to create a narrative that blurs the lines between reality and imagination. The film uses a puppet to represent Parajanov as the narrator who guides the audience through key moments in his life, including his relationships, artistic conflicts, and defiance against Soviet repression. Combining surrealist techniques and theatrical elements, it reveals Parajanov's unique creative vision and his rebellion against Soviet societal norms. The inclusion of never-before-seen footage and personal artifacts enriches the narrative, offering a deeper understanding of the great filmmaker's legacy. The film showcases Sergei Parajanov's artistic brilliance and explores the myths he crafted around himself, highlighting his influence on cinema and art.
Taras Tomenko
Taras Tomenko is a Ukrainian film director and scriptwriter, born in 1976 in Kyiv, a member of the European Film Academy (EFA). He graduated from the Faculty of Philology, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and the Film Faculty of Kyiv National I. K. Karpenko-Kary Theatre, Cinema and Television University. His student short film Shooting Gallery (2001) won an award at Berlinale Panorama and ARTE-France Prize at Venice International Film Festival. His documentary Boney Piles was screened at Berlinale Generation Kplus 2022. Slovo House. Unfinished Novel had its world premiere at Warsaw International Film Festival 2021 and became a box-office hit in Ukraine.
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With Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors, Sergei Parajanov makes a complete break with the socialist realist style that had constrained Ukrainian cinematic expression until then. He uses a highly poetic, colorful, impressionistic, paradoxical style to tell a straightforward rural story of love and loss. It remains one of the most important films in Ukrainian cinema history.
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