Films about the Armenian genocide - something everyone should know

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The terrible, tragic events of 1915 shocked not only the Armenian people, but the whole world. In this article, we will tell you about the five most touching and famous films about the Armenian genocide. On the basis of this, not so many art films were shot. One of the main reasons is Turkey's refusal to accept the truth that there was a genocide. For example, attempts by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to make a film based on the literary edition of Franz Werfel's "The Forty Days of Musa Dagh" were repeatedly stopped due to Turkish influence on the US State Department. Nevertheless, the novel could be filmed, but only after 48 years.

Film about the Armenian Genocide 2015 - "Scar"

The author invites viewers to think about human values, compassion and morality, regardless of what nationality or faith you profess. Director Fatih Akin (of Turkish blood) did not look at political prohibitions and obstacles in order to shoot the world-famous "Scar" - a film about the Armenian genocide. The action begins at the height of the First World War. The main character blacksmith Nazaret Manukyan gets into the army to the Turkish soldiers. But by coincidence,turns out not to be in a war, but in hard labor, where many other Armenians also work. The Turks decided to deal with the prisoners, Nazareth miraculously manages to survive, but he loses his voice. A man wanders in the desert and learns that his family was killed. But after a while, the news reaches him that perhaps his daughters are alive and were sent to Cuba.

The father leaves to look for his children. He visited almost all corners of the world, starting his journey from his settlement of Mardin, then visited the desert of Mesopotamia, Cuba, North Dakota. The film is full of metaphors and symbolic meanings, and the very name "Scar" is a symbol of an indelible nightmare that is imprinted in the memory of the people for life. The scar for our character is a reminder of the Turkish blade, which made him a voiceless and defenseless man before the social world. Throughout the picture, an Armenian melody plays, like a cry from the soul of a person who has lost loved ones and relatives. The beginning of the film begins with the singing of Nazareth's wife, and in the second part she comes to him with a vision, so as not to let him die.

The film was filmed in Jordan, Canada, Germany, Cuba and M alta. The changing landscape from day to day and the long journey of the hero from one place to another is reminiscent of the tale of Sinbad, who overcame obstacles and headed towards his main goal - home. Scar was the first film about the Armenian Genocide of 2015 to be shown in Turkey. The tape received a prize at the Venice Film Festival.

"1915" (2015)

The painting "1915" is dedicated to the centenary of the Armenian genocide. ATthe plot tells how the theater in Los Angeles put on a play in memory of the victims of the genocide. Soon after the performance, the society feels only hatred and despair. In addition, strange, sometimes inexplicable mystical things begin to happen inside the theater, connected with the terrible past of one actress. The film was shot by American directors of Armenian roots, these are: Karin Hovhannisyan and Alex Mukhibyan. And the soundtrack to the film was written by a popular rock musician, frontman of the band System of a Down.

Ararat (2002)

This film tells the viewer how the Armenian film director Edward Saroyan is shooting films about the Armenian genocide in 1915. What was told and shown in the film impressed the young driver who worked on the set so much that he decided to leave for Turkey, because this is the homeland of his ancestors. For the screening, the film won five awards, the Golden Apricot Award in 2004.

Lark's Nest (2007)

The film was shot based on the book by the Italian writer of Armenian roots Anthony Arslan "Estate of the Larks". The film tells about two Armenian brothers who have not seen each other for 20 years. Aram plans to visit his brother's estate, but a series of strange and tragic events prevent their reunion. The beginning of the First World War, and then the Turkish military received an order to destroy Armenian families.

Many films about the Armenian Genocide have received awards and worldwide recognition. So, the painting "Manor of the Lark"was awarded the Golden Apricot Award at the festival in 2007. Also, the brothers-directors Taviani received an honorary award from the hands of the President of Armenia Robert Kocharyan. The award was with the inscription "For contribution to the international recognition of the genocide."

Mayrik (Mom) (1991)

The picture tells about the Armenian Zakarian family, who, fleeing the genocide, moved to Marseille. Despite all the difficulties of life in a foreign country, the family is helped by their love and trust. The story is told from the perspective of a six year old child. The director of the picture was Henri Verneuil, he dedicated it to his beloved mother, whose memories entered the history of the creation of the picture. Most of the actors, including Claudia Cardinale, starred in the film for free. The lead role was played by actor Omar Sharif, who was banned from entering Turkey after the premiere of the film.

Films about the Armenian genocide reveal the true story of the physical destruction of the Armenian people. At least 664,000 people died during the war.