ASHIK KERIB (DVD NTSC)

Language: Russian. Subtitles: English. Director: Sergei Paradzhanov, David Abashidze. Starring: Jury Mgojan, Sofiko Chiaureli, Ramaz Chhikvadze, Barbarian Dvalishvili, David Dovlatjan, Nodar Dugladze. A romantic drama based on the poem of the same name by the great Russian writer Mikhail Lermontov. "Ashik Kerib" is one of Sergei Paradzhanov"s most brilliant motion pictures. The director succeeded in achieving a polyphony of color and sound. The screen takes on the look of a real Oriental bazaar where you might come across anything you like, from antiques to cheap homemade tchotchkes. Ashik Kerib was a poor man, but he possessed a heart of gold and a beautiful voice. He played the saaza, a Turkish balalaika, glorifying the ancient heroes of Turkestan at weddings and other festivities. One day, he met the beautiful Magul Megheri, the daughter of a wealthy Turkish man, and fell in love with her. But would a rich man give his daughter to a poor man? Ashik Kerib made a vow to go for a seven-year journey around the world, and either become rich or die. If he is not back by the appointed date, Magul Megheri will get married to another man...