This film series celebrates the mesmerizing artistry of one of cinema’s most visionary directors. Renowned for his richly textured visuals and poetic storytelling, Parajanov’s films transcend conventional narrative, immersing viewers in a world where folklore, history, and surrealism intertwine. Despite political challenges, his artistic vision remained uncompromising, inspiring generations of filmmakers. This series showcases his groundbreaking works, each a unique tapestry of vibrant colors, intricate compositions, and rich cultural meaning. As we journey through Parajanov’s cinematic universe, we uncover a master who defied norms, crafting films that are as much visual feasts as they are profound meditations on the human spirit.

About the programmer: Trond S. Trondsen holds a PhD in Cosmic Geophysics and serves as the President of Keo Scientific Ltd., a Calgary-based company specializing in optical instrumentation for geospace research. In the 1990s, he founded websites nostalghia.com, dedicated to Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky, and robert-bresson.com, focused on French filmmaker Robert Bresson. During the 2000s, he co-founded the Eureka! Masters of Cinema Series, which continues to release carefully restored films on DVD and Blu-ray and is often regarded as the European equivalent of the Criterion Collection. Trond collaborated with Edmonton-based filmmaker Kyle Armstrong as both co-producer and co- cinematographer on his 2012 short film Magnetic Reconnection.