About the programme

Renowned Armenian auteur Sergei Parajanov (1924 – 1990) was in his forties when he directed Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (1965), the film that signalled to audiences worldwide that he had entered the pantheon of world cinema greats. Based on a novel by the Ukrainian writer Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky, Parajanov honed in on the ethnographic aspects of his source, which became the springboard for a body of work where folklore and the fairytale were central. What followed were three works, each of which engaged a dialogue with the lands of the South Caucasus: The Colour of Pomegranates (1969), Legend of Surami Fortress (1984) and Ashik Kerib (1988). This retrospective presents films that are ripe for rediscovery, and key to making sense of the poetic cinema for which the artist-filmmaker gained his fame. Parajanov’s influences can still be felt in contemporary culture, often extending beyond cinema, from filmmaker Tarsem Singh to inspiring pop stars like Lady Gaga, and fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.

In January 2026, following his recent centennial anniversary, AFA presents Retrospective: Sergei Parajanov, the most comprehensive showcase of Parajanov’s filmography in Southeast Asia, including restored features and rare short films. Daniel Bird, the guest curator for this Retrospective, is a writer, filmmaker and leading scholar on Eastern European cinema. He was closely involved in the restoration of Parajanov’s masterpiece, The Colour of Pomegranates.

From 16–18 January 2026, Bird will be in Singapore to present talks and live audio-visual performances featuring rare resurfaced outtakes from The Colour of Pomegranates.

Retrospective: Sergei Parajanov runs from 9-25 January 2026 at Oldham Theatre

Programme Line-up

• Double Bill: Andriesh (Андриеш, 1954, Sergei Parajanov, Yakov Bazelyan) + Golden Hands (Золотые руки, 1957, Sergei Parajanov, Yakov Bazelyan) *4K DIGITISATION*
• Shadow of Forgotten Ancestors (Тіні забутих предків, 1965) *4K RESTORATION*
• The Colour of Pomegranates (Sayat Nova / Նռան գույնը. 1969) *4K RESTORATION*
• Parajanov Triptych: Hakob Hovnatanyan (Հակոբ Հովնաթանյան / Акоп Овнатанян, 1967) + Kyiv Frescoes ( Киевские фрески, 1966) + Arabesques on the Theme of Pirosmani (არაბესკები ფიროსმანის თემაზე / Арабески на тему Пиросмани, 1985) *4K RESTORATIONS*
• Ashik Kerib (აშიკ-ქერიბი / Ашик-Кериб, 1988)
• You Are Fire: A Live Performance of Sayat Nova Outtakes (2025) *LIVE PERFORMANCE*

About Guest curator

Daniel Bird worked with the World Cinema Project on restorations of The Colour of Pomegranates and Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors. He produced Parajanov Triptych, and devised Temple of Cinema #1: Sayat Nova Outtakes. You Are Fire is a live performance developed from the installation Temple of Cinema #1: Sayat Nova Outtakes.

Tickets for this programme will go on sale Friday, 19 December 2025. Scroll down to select the screening of your choice and click through to purchase tickets.

Friends of AFA members, please read the membership guide on how to purchase your discounted tickets and redeem your complimentary tickets.

Oldham Theatre’s opening hours

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Important Notice:

Do note that Oldham Theatre operates on a free seating arrangement. Doors will open 20 minutes before showtime so arrive early to choose a seat and avoid disrupting the screenings as AFA does not play ads and screenings will start promptly.

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