Ashik Kerib

Ashik Kerib
original Russian film poster
Directed by	Sergei Parajanov Dodo Abashidze (co-director)
Written by	Gia Badridze Mikhail Lermontov (story)
Starring	Yuri Mgoyan Sofiko Chiaureli Ramaz Chkhikvadze Konstantin Stepankov
Music by	Javanshir Guliyev
Cinematography	Albert Yavuryan
Release date(s)	1988
Running time	73 min
Country	Soviet Union (Georgian SSR)
Language	Georgian/Azeri

Ashik Kerib (Georgian აშიკი ქერიბი, Azerbaijani: Aşıq Qərib, Russian: Ашик-кериб, Armenian: Աշուղ ղարիբը) is a 1988 film by the Soviet-Armenian filmmaker Sergei Parajanov based on the short story of the same name by Mikhail Lermontov. It was Parajanov's last completed film and was dedicated to his close friend Andrei Tarkovsky, who had died two years previously. The film also features a detailed portrayal of Azerbaijani culture.

Plot

The Ashik Kerib wants to marry his beloved, but her father opposes since Kerib is poor and he expects rich prospects for his ' daughter from heaven'. She vows to wait for him for a thousand days and nights until he comes back with enough money to impress her father. He sets out on a journey to gain wealth and encounters many difficulties, but with the help of a saint horseman, he returns to his beloved on the 1001st day and they are able to marry.

Style

The entire story is told in a way of Azerbaijan Folklore with music and colour playing a key role. Dialogue is minimal and scripts are used to narrate the plot changes.

Themes

Parajanov's previous three major films were colourful illustrations of Ukrainian, Armenian and Georgian culture. Ashik Kerib, similarly explores traditional Azerbaijani clothes, music, dance, art and customs.

Awards

• 1988—Felix Award: presented to the artists Gogi Aleqsi-Meskhishvili, Niko Zandukeli and Shota Gogolashvili.
• 1989—Istanbul International Film Festival: Special Prize of the Jury (to Sergei Parajanov)
• 1990—Nika Award:
  • Best Live-action Film and Best Director (both to Dodo Abashidze & Sergei Parajanov)
  • Best Cinematography (to Albert Yavuryan)
  • Best Production Designer (to Sergei Parajanov)

External links

• Ashik Kerib at the Internet Movie Database
• DVDBeaver - comparison of DVD versions (Kino Video vs. Ruscico)
• Ashik Kerib at Parajanov.com