The Legend of Suram Fortress  

Dir. Sergei Parajanov and Dodo Abashidze. 1985, 83 mins. Soviet Union. In Georgian and Russian with English subtitles. DCP. Based on Daniel Chonkadze’s 1860 Georgian novella published and inspired by an ancient folk tale, this film, co-directed with Georgian filmmaker Dodo Abashidze, is brought to life through Parajanov’s honed idiosyncratic style of opulent costuming, striking tableaux, and unforgettable mise-en-scène. Told through two mirroring storylines (one unfolding in the present tense and another one as a set of flashbacks), the story concerns the inhabitants of a remote mountain village building a fortress to defend themselves from enemy attacks. However, the structure begins crumbling, and according to a prophecy, will only stand if a young blue-eyed countryman sacrifices himself by being sealed into the walls. Mixing regional history, political protest, and romantic drama, the film marked Parajanov’s return to cinema after enduring 15 years of Soviet censorship due to political and aesthetic conflict with the state. 

Preceded by 
Arabesques on the Pirosmani Theme 
Dir. Sergei Parajanov. 1985, 21 mins. Soviet Union. Restored 4K DCP. Through this short profile of Georgian primitivist painter Niko Pirosmaniszvili (1862–1918), who was influenced by the social conditions of his time and place and considered an outsider, Parajanov takes a symbolic view of Georgian history and heritage. The film is considered a companion to Parajanov’s 1967 Hakob Hovnatanyan, though it was made almost two decades later. Parajanov layers and lingers upon shots of Pirosmaniszvili’s striking paintings, which are often seen in fragments in rapid succession and paired alongside objects. 

Tickets: $15 / $11 senior and students / $9 youth (ages 3–17) / discounted for MoMI members ($7–$11). There is a $1.50 transaction fee per ticket for all online purchases. The cost of admission may be applied toward a same-day purchase of a membership. 

Order tickets. Please pick up tickets at the Museum’s admissions desk upon arrival. All seating is general admission.