Double Bill: Andriesh (1954) + Golden Hands (1957)

About the screening This double-bill programme introduces the preoccupation of folklore and the fairy tale motif in Parajanov’s filmography. Produced by Dovzhenko Studio in Kyiv, Andreish was Parajanov’s debut, a reworking of his diploma film, Moldovan Fairytale. Golden Hands is a documentary concerning Ukraine’s rich tradition of arts and crafts. Andriesh (Андриеш, 1954) 4K DIGITISATION Year: 1954 Director: Sergei Parajanov, Yakov Bazelyan Runtime: 63 minutes Country: Soviet Union Language: Moldavian Russian with English subtitles Rating: PG Synopsis Parajanov’s debut feature is a fairytale about a young shepherd boy who dreams of becoming a knight. He receives a magic flute that leads him to the castle of the evil wizard, Black Whirlwind, whom he must defeat. Andriesh, ostensibly a remake of Moldovan Fairytale, Parajanov’s diploma film, was shot by his cinematographer, Suren Shahbazyan, who shot his most famous work, The Colour of Pomegranates. This film gives us an early glimpse of Parajanov’s poetics and his fascination with folklore. Golden Hands (Золотые руки, 1957) 4K DIGITISATION Year: 1957 Director: Sergei Parajanov Runtime: 35 minutes Country: Soviet Union Language: Russian with English subtitles Rating: PG Synopsis Parajanov’s early documentary showcases traditional Ukrainian folk arts and crafts commissioned by Kyiv Television Studio. Told with rich imagery and folk music, Golden Hands offers an early look into Parajanov’s style and interests in national arts, serving as a love letter to Ukrainian culture.