Directed by Sergei Parajanov and Dodo Abashidze • 1988 • Georgia/USSR

The exquisite final feature from Sergei Parajanov, Ashik Kerib is an intoxicating homage to the folk legends of Azerbaijan. Based on the writings of Parajanov’s beloved Mikhail Lermontov, the film relates the adventures of the eponymous minstrel (Yuri Mgoyan), who is forced to wander the land with his lute in hand for 1,001 days and nights to earn the dowry needed to marry the daughter of a wealthy nobleman. Replete with Parajanov’s signature tableaux, surrealistic touches, and swooning romanticism, this is a transnational tribute to the past and present of the Caucasus that turns orientalism on its head.

ASHIK KERIB • აშიკ-ქერიბი
Directed by Sergei Parajanov and Dodo Abashidze
Written by Gia Badridze
From the story by Mikhail Lermontov
Cinematography by Albert Yavuryan and Sergo Sikharulidze
Music by Cavanşir Quliyev
Starring: Yuri Mgoyan, Sofiko Chiaureli, Ramaz Chkhikvadze

In Azerbaijani, Georgian, and Russian with English subtitles