Award-Winning Documentary “Parajanov: The Last Spring” To Be Screened At Hollywood Entertainment Museum, Dec. 4

Director Mikhail Vardanov to speak about his friendship with the persecuted maestro…

(HOLLYWOOD) – Filmmaker Mikhail Vardanov, a close friend and compatriot of the late influential Armenian director Sergei Parajanov – subject of an exclusive West Coast exhibit at Hollywood Entertainment Museum – will screen his award-winning documentary “Parajanov: The Last Spring” on the evening of the exhibition’s opening Thursday, Dec. 4 (7:30 p.m.) at the Museum (7021 Hollywood Blvd.).
Vardanov, who will be joined by his son Martin who co-wrote the documentary, will discuss the making of the one-hour film and share anecdotes about his friendship with the persecuted Parajanov, whose pioneering work led to his blacklisting and repeated imprisonment by the former Soviet Union.
Admission is $10 for the screening, artist discussion, refreshments and special opening night viewing of the exhibit “Sergei Parajanov: A Celebration After Life.” Space is limited and reservations are required
The documentary, which garnered honors at the Beverly Hills Film Festival, San Francisco International Film Festival and the Russian Academy of Cinema Arts Awards, chronicles Parajanov’s extraordinary career, weaving scenes from the making of his 1968 epic film “Color of Pomegranate - Sayat Nova” and the complete footage from his final and unfinished masterpiece “The Confession,” which only survives in this documentary. The film also features never-before-published letters by a then-imprisoned Parajanov, written more than 30 years ago to Vardanov and delves into Parajanov’s last days in 1990.
On view at Hollywood Entertainment Museum Dec. 4 – Feb. 2, 2004, “Sergei Parajanov: A Celebration After Life” spotlights the artist’s films and unique art collages, including several pieces created while he was a political prisoner. Much of the exhibit comes directly from the Parajanov Museum in Yerevan, Armenia. The exhibition is being sponsored by Glendale KIA.
For reservations to the opening night screening and special exhibition viewing, please call (323) 960-4807.
Hollywood Entertainment Museum (www.hollywooodmuseum.com), dedicated to celebrating the entertainment arts and Hollywood the place, also operates the model Education Center for the Entertainment Arts. Open every day except Wednesdays (11 a.m. - 6 p.m.), admission is $8.75 for adults, $5.50 for seniors, $5.00 for students, $4 for youth 5-12, and free to Museum members and children under the age of five. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Parking off Sycamore Ave. is $2 for two hours with Museum validation.