AN ARMENIAN ODYSSEY:

The Color of Pomegranates

Produced in collaboration with the Embassy of Armenia

Our Armenian festival introduces DC audiences to the singular Armenian/Syrian artist Kevork Mourad (winner of Germany’s
2019 Robert Bosch Stiftung prize for animation), who creates animated artwork in real time in response to live music.

To preview the magic of Kevork Mourad’s “Armenian Odyssey” (March 4):

Music by Vache Sharafyan recorded by Suren Bagratuni

ARMENIAN FILM FESTIVAL
February/March:
Freer Gallery (Meyer Auditorium)
National Gallery of Art

Armenian Film Festival

In association with the National Cinema Center of Armenia.
Free admission

A Tribute to Sergei Parajanov

Saturday afternoon, Feb. 29 — 1 pm (Freer Gallery)

-Including a restoration of his masterpiece, The Color of Pomegranates (1969), plus the US premiere of a new restoration of Parajanov Triptych (Hakob Hovantanyan, Kiev Frescoes, Arabesques on the Pirosmani Theme)
Also: Kevork Mourad’s Four Acts for Syria (US premiere)
Commentary by: Levon Abrahamian, Daniel Bird, Kevork Mourad

The Film Music of Aram Khachaturian

Sunday afternoon, March 1 — 2 pm (Freer Gallery)

–Including  Zangezur (1938), Khachaturian clips, and cartoons.
Commentary: Peter Rollberg, Joseph Horowitz

A Tribute to Rouben Mamoulian

Saturday afternoon, March 14 — 2 pm (National Gallery of Art)

—Including Love Me Tonight (1932), Porgy and Bess (excerpts), and archival clips.
Commentary: Joseph Horowitz, Kurt Jensen, and Milena Oganesyan

FURTHER INFORMATION ON FILM EVENTS: https://www.nga.gov/calendar/film-programs/armenian-odyssey.html

“Every nuance of this subtle work was lovingly observed, and when he did let rip it was with blazing virtuosity. . .
He could certainly give Yo-Yo Ma a run for his money.”
— The Independent (UK)

To hear Narek Hakhnazaryan perform Giovanni Sollima’s “Lamentatio”: