Sayat Nova

A film of tableaux vivants, of moving still-lifes and artful compositions of clothes, rugs, books, flowers, animals and humans. With a wealth of images - sometimes surreal, sometimes ironic, always opulent and excessive - the Armenian-Georgian master of imagery Parajanov depicts the poetic universe of the 18th-century Armenian lyricist, poet, composer and singer Harutyun Sayatyan, who first lived in a royal court before roaming the countryside as a travelling singer. (mg)