Aurofilm presents at MULTI MEDIA CENTRE AUDITORIUM (MMC, Town Hall)
Friday 29th March– at 8:00 pm
“SHADOWS OF FORGOTTEN ANCESTORS” (original title: Ukrainian: Тіні забутих предків)
Directed by Sergei Parajanov, USSR, 1965
With: Ivan Mykolaichuk, Larisa Kadochnikova, Tatyana Bestayeva
Overview: Based on the 1911 novel Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors by the Ukrainian writer Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky, Parajanov’s film adaptation is considered to be the most internationally heralded Ukrainian film in history and a classic of Ukrainian magical realist cinema. It was acclaimed for its rich use of costume and colour and described as an “avant-garde, extravagant, sumptuous saga” and a “haunting work” that combined folk songs and atonal music.

Synopsis: In a Carpathian village, Ivan falls in love with Marichka, the daughter of his father’s killer. When tragedy befalls her, his grief lasts months; finally, he rejoins the colorful life around him, marrying Palagna. She wants children but his mind stays on his lost love. To recapture his attention, Palagna tries sorcery, and in the process comes under the spell of the sorcerer… The lively rhythms of village life, the work and the holidays, the pageant and revelry of weddings and funerals, the change of seasons, and nature’s beauty give proportion to Ivan’s tragedy.
The film will be presented by Dr. Alexander Pereverzev. And the copy is a beautifully restored one.

Original version in Ukrainian with Engl. Subtitles, duration 1h.37’ (color)