I'm interested in watching The Color of Pomegranates/Sayat Nova, but I've heard that it requires some knowledge of Armenian culture to fully grasp. I come from an Armenian background, but the Armenian side of my family is very Americanized so it wouldn't help much to ask. I was hoping someone on here could point me in a direction where I could get some basic info before I watch the movie.
shareI just informed myself on Sayat Nova, the Armenian poet this movie is about, and that cleared up a few things.
However I think I got the gist of the movie jst watching it: an abstract rendition of the life of a poet, from childhood to death.
This world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel.
The best advice I can give to someone who wishes to watch this film but who has little idea of political or cultural background of Armenia at the time is...to not worry too much. The film has many artistic merits but knowledge of Armenia isn't exactly necessary.
Nevertheless, for the perspective viewer, here are some basic facts about the period Sayat Nova was living in:
-During the 18th century, Armenia, along with its neighbor to the north, Georgia, was under the political domination of the Persian Qajar Empire.
-Sayat lived in a region where several ethnic groups intermingled, including the Orthodox Christian Georgians and the Shia Turks. He also spoke several languages and even wrote in them as well.
-He died in 1795, when Persian troops ransacked the city of Tbilisi, and he was put to death when he refused to convert to Islam.
Additional information can be found in a highly erudite biography written by C.J.F. Dowsett on Sayat Nova, "Sayat-Nova, An 18th Century Troubador", published in 1997.
I pretend to work because the Soviet government pretends to pay me.