The Color of Armenian Land (1969)

• 67%
• 1969
• Documentary
• Mikhail Vartanov
• Sergei Parajanov
• Mikhail Vartanov
• Minas Avetisyan

In his debut Mikhail Vartanov presents the ancient and modern art of Armenia through post-impressionist painter Martiros Saryan's silent commentary of gestures. Biblical landscapes, the ruins of temples, frescos, cross-stones, contemporary sculptures of Chakmakchian, 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 at work on the landmark film "Sayat Nova". Banned in Soviet Union, the film placed Mikhail Vartanov on KGB's blacklist (1967 - 1990s) and though some of the footage reappeared in his poetic masterpiece Parajanov: The Last Spring (1992), an important part was stolen from the archives - only 1 frame recently surfaced.