PERFORMANCE + FILM SCREENING
Beyond the Shadows. 100 Years of Parajanov
Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors
SCREENINGS
by Serhii Parajanov
Ukrainian SSR | 1965 | 69’ | Original Version with English subtitles
Restored by The Film Foundation's World Cinema Project and Cineteca di Bologna at L'Immagine Ritrovata laboratory, in association with the Dovzhenko Film Studio and in collaboration with the Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Centre. Special thanks to Olena Honcharuk and Daniel Bird. Funding provided by the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation.
Set in the Carpathians of Western Ukraine, the film tells the tragic love story of Ivan and Marichka, whose families are in conflict. After Marichka's untimely death, Ivan, despite marrying Palahna, is haunted by grief and memories. Based on Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky's 1911 novel, the story is now beautifully restored, showcasing the deep emotional and cultural narrative of the Hutsul people.
“Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” appeared during a critical period in Soviet and Ukrainian film history, marking a turning point for Ukrainian culture in the late 20th century. The film sparked controversy at its premiere, battled censorship, and eventually became a significant influence on independent Ukrainian cinema.
The film screening will be preceded by a performance directed by Alina Matochkina, featuring experimental band Potreba Group and choreographic staging by Anatolii Sachivko.