Solemplex To me, this movie is perfection.

Lovesusti The Worst Film Ever

Stometer Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Mathilde the Guild Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Kirpianuscus one of films who could represent rare examples of profound gracious beauty. because it is an embroidery of image and sound and civilization, a refined homage to a great Armenian poet. and the high point of Paradjanov work. a gem of wise trip in heart of things. a film for memories. for the admirable style to use pieces from old fairy tales and dreams, for the splendid science to use the silence as key for discover profound emotions, as definition of life and spirit, creation and fate. The Color of Pomegranates is more than an art film. it is an experience. and affirmation of an cinema art who remains, after decades, unique, profound, seductive scene by scene.

rucricket I had never heard of this film when I got it as a present. I didn't look it up and so was completely unprepared for what was to come. I had expected an interesting and intellectual film from what my father said, but ended up being blown away by the directors fabulous style and unparalleled techniques.Almost like a silent film, this film works at portraying the life of the poet, and the director, through images taken from his poetry. Beginning with the juice of a pomegranate spreading across a cloth in the shape of Armenia, this really sets up the rest of the film. Relying on very simple camera movements, the director creates a surreal view which even Dali would have struggled with. Yet, he manages to get across a number of things about the poets life through heavy use of symbolism. Snail shells, strange floating balls, all mean something, whether it be life force, sex, death and so on.But what I have said cannot prepare you for what comes. It really is not a film which is easy to review. you must just go and view it for yourself. I'm sure many will find it pretentious and I won't lie, it is. But ignore this and you will be left speechless. Having seen this film, it makes you wonder what it would have been like if it wasn't for soviet interruption. I haven't done it justice in any sense so I will stop now and let you go and see it.8.9

esotericcamel For those who need an American equivalent to compare to, it is similar to the work of Brakhage or Anger, the American experimental filmmakers.It is not Hollywood in that the movie does not rely on a plot, although there is a semblance of one present in this particular movie. The life and poetry of Sayat Nova, the great Medieval Armenian Troubadour, albeit abstractly, is the basis for all the images presented. It is also not Hollywood in that there is no dialog. The interest rests in the unforgettable and arresting images, lovingly created and edited together in the manner of Eisenstein. So in this regard it has more in common with silent film.Yes, this is an abstract film. Yes, it is pretentious. But what is wrong with that? Prtensious is, after all, what most call something that they have a hard time understanding. Make no mistake, this is an art film to the extreme. A film whose primary concern is not to entertain, but rather to express Parajanov's personal view of Sayat Nova,and more importantly, to preserve to film the medieval Armenian culture which was almost completely eradicated in the Armenian Massacre of 1915 at the hands of the Turkish Empire. This film is historically important for this reason alone. The fact that Parajanov was imprisoned by the Russian Government for not conforming to the strict Social Realist code of film underscores this point. This film was a slap in the face to Communist Russia which wanted to erase the old traditions. There is nothing much you have to get to enjoy this film, except to marvel at images inspired by an ancient little known culture. There is a lot of beauty in these images which probably seem so foreign and alien to Westerners. That is the point. That is the effect that I believe Parajanov is after. Those that don't get it either lack patience and subtlety, or are under the mistaken assumption that good films must follow the American Hollywood script model. The latter would be making the same mistake as the Russians who put Parajanov in the Gulag. No one who as seen even a bit of this film, could deny that it is unforgettable. And that is what to me makes a good film.

polishanya This movie is rather difficult to understand unless you know some background. Those people who don't want to think while watching a movie should not watch this. Some say that there is no plot but if you read about the movie background you will see a plot. My advice is to read about it before watching the movie. Although this film has almost no action, it is very beautiful with many references towards cultural traditions and rituals. It's probably not the movie to watch on a sleepover with your friends, but I recommend watching it when you have time to sit and think. The beginning, I must admit, was rather confusing and therefore boring, but if I had read some background previously, I would have found it more comprehensive. Otherwise, the filming is absolutely fascinating and very beautiful - it's less of a movie than a set of paintings.