The Legend of the Suram Fortress

A visually striking but rather inscrutable depiction of a Georgian myth, Paradjanov's film concerns a young boy who saves the constantly crumbling Suram Fortress by allowing himself to be covered with earth and eggs and walled up alive. The undeniable visual pleasures offered by the imaginative images and rich colours are unfortunately undercut by the stylised presentation - much of the action takes place amid the ruins of the fortress as it survives today - a confusing plot and some esoteric cultural references.