Pushkin House

Yuri Mechitov is a renowned Georgian photographer whose work has been showcased all over the world, in 20 solo, and 50 joint, exhibitions. To Yuri Mechitov, Sergei Paradjanov was not only a great director but also a close friend, an inspiring teacher and, quite simply, an extraordinary man. His relationship with the “maestro” gave him a unique insight into Paradjanov’s world and allowed him to chronicle the life of this fascinating artist in both everyday situations and its more exuberant, creative outbursts.
 
In his recently published book “Sergei Parajanov. Chronicle of the Dialogue”, Yuri Mechitov shares his memories about Sergei Paradjanov. The book presents a kaleidoscope of famous and rarely seen photographs taken throughout the author’s long friendship with Sergei Paradjanov. The mesmerizing photographs are accompanied by Mechitov’s witty and humorous observations and reminiscences that tell the story of a man and an artist with a passion for life and beauty.
 

Latvia, 1991/1993, 52min
Best known to Western audiences for playing the iconic title role in Tarkovsky’s Stalker (1979), Alexander Kaidanovsky was also a filmmaker with a unique vision and style. Having trained at the Moscow film school (VGIK), Kaidanovsky produced only four feature films, all of which are rare treasures of late-Soviet art-house cinema.
His documentary film about Sergei Paradjanov. Maestro (1991/1993) was commissioned by the International Centre of Cinema in Riga, Latvia, and it has never been screened in Russia. Kaidanovsky’s film will be screened in the UK for the first time.