The Color of Armenian Land

The Color of Armenian Land

17 mins | Documentary | Oct. 1, 1969

In his wordless debut film, Mikhail Vartanov presents the ancient and modern art of Armenia through the post-impressionist painter Martiros Saryan’s silent commentary of gestures. Biblical landscapes, the ruins of temples, frescos, cross-stones, contemporary sculptures of Tchakmakchian (Chakmakchyan), the first appearance on film of iconic modernist painter Minas and his paintings, as well as the world famous behind-the-scenes episodes of Sergei Parajanov’s landmark "The Color of Pomegranates (Sayat Nova)." The film had its first public screening at one of the world’s largest and prestigious cinematic events, the Busan International Film Festival, 43 years after it was made.

The Color of Armenian Land

17 mins | Documentary | Oct. 1, 1969

The Color of Armenian Land
In his wordless debut film, Mikhail Vartanov presents the ancient and modern art of Armenia through the post-impressionist painter Martiros Saryan’s silent commentary of gestures. Biblical landscapes, the ruins of temples, frescos, cross-stones, contemporary sculptures of Tchakmakchian (Chakmakchyan), the first appearance on film of iconic modernist painter Minas and his paintings, as well as the world famous behind-the-scenes episodes of Sergei Parajanov’s landmark "The Color of Pomegranates (Sayat Nova)." The film had its first public screening at one of the world’s largest and prestigious cinematic events, the Busan International Film Festival, 43 years after it was made.
Producers Yerevan Documentary Film Studio, Hayk Studio
Original title Цвет армянской земли
Directors Mikhail Vartanov
Writers B. Sahakov, Mikhail Vartanov

Cast

Sergei Parajanov

as Himself

Mikhail Vartanov

as Himself

Minas Avetisyan

as Himself, painter

Sofiko Chiaureli

as Sayat Nova (archive footage)

Martiros Saryan

as Himself, Painter

Arto Tchakmakchian

as Himself

Robert Elibekyan

as Himself, Painter

Yervand Gojabashyan

as Himself, Painter

Martin Petrosian

as Himself, Painter