Sergey Parajanov’s “The Color of Pomegranate” went from the screens to the stage. Armenian-French joint event dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the world-famous film director this dance performance It is a dialogue in Parajanov.

“In this project, I present Parajanov from my point of view, with my sensory field.” – the performance’s choreographer is the French Murad Merzuki, who is known for bringing street dances to the stage. Presenting Parajanov with elements of dance and rap was a dangerous but important step, he says.

“It is a very responsible thing to address Parajanov, but the goal was not to bring him into my style. I have tried to stick to his pictorial thinking and bring his inner world to the audience in all its colors. This is a cultural, artistic challenge, a reflection of an artist, a culture that I have slowly discovered for myself in layers. At the same time, this is a wonderful bridge between artists, peoples, states,” says Merzuki.

Five of the dancers are French, two are invited from Armenia, the musicians are the “Hogh Artun” group.

The author of the dramaturgical concept, Sate Khachatryan, a resident of France, says that the aim of this Armenian-French project is also to recognize Parajanov’s art from different perspectives. – “How to present Parajanov, we chose dance to make that form more accessible, but also for the simple reason that dance and gesture have a very big place and meaning in the film “The Color of Pomegranate”. In other words, we see a director who uses body language. Just as there is a lot of visual and fragmented thinking in the film, in the same way in the play we can see nine images that are reminiscent of the film itself, that is, the book scene, the angels, the wedding.”

The premiere of the play was in January at “Toboggan” in France, then at “Gascon” theaters. On March 15 and 16, the play will be shown in Yerevan. The last rehearsals are taking place at the National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet.