Sergo Parajanov, the renowned film director, was born on January 9, 1924, in Tbilisi. His works are widely recognized for reflecting the ethnic diversity of the Caucasus region.

Parajanov's first major work, The Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (1964), gained international acclaim for its vibrant costumes and its whimsical portrayal of village life. His 1969 film, The Color of Pomegranates, portrays the life of the Georgian poet Sayatnova, further solidifying his distinctive cinematic style.

In 1973, Parajanov was arrested by the Soviet government on charges of homosexuality and sentenced to five years in a labor camp. His arrest sparked protests from numerous prominent figures, including artists, writers, and filmmakers. However, he was released after four years, thanks to the intervention of the French surrealist Louis Aragon.

Following his release, Parajanov was prohibited from making films for several years while residing in Tbilisi. Despite this, he was eventually permitted to direct The Legend of the Surami Castle (1984) and Ashik Kerib (1988). During the 1980s, he also worked on the unfinished autobiographical series The Confession, which later became part of Mikhail Vartanov's film Parajanov: The Last Spring.

Parajanov passed away in July 1990 in Yerevan from cancer. In the final years of his life, he was working on two films, The Torture of Shushanik and The Confession, but due to his illness, neither project was completed.