Sailing to Byzantium

February 28 - March 20, 2022

Pera Film presents Sailing to Byzantium, an online film program parallel to the exhibitions, From Istanbul to Byzantium and “What Byzantinism Is This in Istanbul!” at Pera Museum.

In Sailing to Byzantium, there are 4 films from different countries about the effects of the Byzantine past, which is a common heritage, continuing with its effects on art and architecture over the years, from the times of the Byzantine Empire.

In the program that will take place between 28 February - 20 March; The Human Torches of Justinian, a 1907 film by Georges Méliès, one of the pioneers of cinema, focusing on a banquet organized by Emperor Justinian; The Agony of Byzantium, which is a historical production with its extraordinary narration, set in the last period of the Byzantine Empire; Andrey Tarkovsky's film Andrey Rublev, in which he sets the atmosphere like a painting rather than telling a story in the traditional sense, and tells about the life of 15th century icon painter Andrey Rublev; and adapted from a story by Milorad Pavić, the movie Byzantine Blue turns into a love story, starting with the search for the everlasting blue paint from Byzantine church murals.

The program will be streamed at film.peramuzesi.org.tr between February 28 and March 20, and only be accessible to online audiences in Turkey. As per legal regulations, all our screenings are restricted to persons over 18 years of age, unless stated otherwise.

Justinian's Human Torches

Justinian's Human Torches

The Agony of the Byzantine

The Agony of the Byzantine

Andrei Rublev

Andrei Rublev

Byzantine Blue

Byzantine Blue

Program Trailer

Sailing to Byzantium

Pera Film presents Sailing to Byzantium, an online film program parallel to the exhibitions, From Istanbul to Byzantium and “What Byzantinism Is This in Istanbul!” at Pera Museum.

“What Byzantinism Is This in Istanbul!”

Istanbul Research Institute’s exhibition at the Pera Museum called “What Byzantinism Is This in Istanbul!”: Byzantium in Popular Culture, curated by Emir Alışık, navigates through the eclectic presence of Byzantium in popular culture. 

“What Byzantinism Is This in Istanbul!”

Mark Požlep

Mark Požlep

Our Cold Front from the Balkans exhibition focuses on different generations of artists and art groups from the Balkan region. Throughout the exhibition, we keep sharing detailed information about the artworks. Take a look at Mark Požlep’s “Stranger than Paradise” video installation. Also you can check our interview with the artist on our YouTube channel! 

Félix Ziem (1821-1911) A nomadic, unclassifiable, and eccentric artist

Félix Ziem (1821-1911) A nomadic, unclassifiable, and eccentric artist

French artist Félix Ziem is one of the most original landscape painters of the 19thcentury. The exhibition Wanderer on the Sea of Light presents Ziem as an artist who left his mark on 19th century painting and who is mostly known for his paintings of Istanbul and Venice, where the city and the sea are intertwined. 

Niko Pirosmani

Niko Pirosmani

“A nameless Egyptian fresco, an African idol or a vase from Crete: we should behold Pirosmani’s art among them. Only this way it is possible to conceive it genuinely … …You see Pirosmani – you believe in Georgia”.
Grigol Robakidze