This documentary, about the work of revered Tbilisi-Armenian portrait artist Hakob Hovnatanyan (1806 - 1881), was made shortly before the shooting of Prajanovs's 'The Color Of Pomegranates' (or 'Sayat Nova'). It functioned as trial run for the style Parajanov would later use in 'The Color Of Pomegranates'.
Rather than introducing us to Hovnatanyan's paintings in their entirety, Parajanov focuses on different parts of the paintings with quick jump cuts, creating an interesting narrative. In the second half of the documentary Parajanov depicts the historical city center of Tbilisi where Hovnatanyan lived, and where Parajanov himself grew up.
Rather than introducing us to Hovnatanyan's paintings in their entirety, Parajanov focuses on different parts of the paintings with quick jump cuts, creating an interesting narrative. In the second half of the documentary Parajanov depicts the historical city center of Tbilisi where Hovnatanyan lived, and where Parajanov himself grew up.