Discussants: Tatiana Boudakian & Arman Ayvazyan, , Armine Anda (Directors) & Zela Margossian (Composer)

Dehatsi – I was Another Place 

Anoush is a young Armenian woman who travels to Brazil without a return ticket. Once she is welcomed and inserted into the Armenian community in São Paulo, her biggest challenge is to adapt to the large and cosmopolitan city, so far from her roots. Directed by Tatiana Boudakian. In Armenian and Portuguese with English subtitles, 20 minutes. 

Crossing the Blue

Anoush, an emigrant, who fled from her abusive husband in Post-Soviet is facing eventual deportation years later... Directed by Victoria Aleksanyan. In Armenian and English with English subtitles, 12 minutes. 

Sunset

With sunlight quickly fading on the horizon, a student goes on a fantastic journey contemplating the importance of happiness and budding friendships versus their studies. Directed by Kristine Khanamiryan, 4 minutes. 

Stones

The brutal Nagorno-Karabakh War of 2020 ended in a Russian-mediated ceasefire forcing Armenia to cede territory it had controlled to Azerbaijan. As a result, thousands of Armenians living in these regions were forced to leave their homes. Days before the handover deadline, a group of volunteers risk their lives to enter the Lachin region to search for and save beautiful sacred ancient Armenian stone inscriptions known as “khachkars,” from destruction. Directed by Arman Ayvazyan. In Armenian with English subtitles, 17 minutes. 

The Road

The poetic vision of director Charlotte Mungomery converges with the spellbinding score of Armenian-Australian jazz band, Zela Margossian Quintet in “The Road.” This international art-film collaboration catches you from its opening, luring you into a liminal desert space, blurring the bounds between diorama and reality. Circumnavigate these stories of isolation and connection through the opulent and atmospheric eye of a filmmaking collective poised from their recent experimental opera film, ‘A Delicate Fire.’ Directed by Charlotte Mungomery, 8 minutes. 

The Mud

Rafael is approaching his home. At the entrance he notices a lone goose. No one in the village keeps geese. When he opens the door the goose sneaks inside. Without removing his dirty shoes, Rafael rushes after the goose and catches it. When in the middle of the room he notices that he hadn’t removed shoes and that the room is now dirty. He takes off the shoes and without cleaning the dirt marks on the floor leaves the house to climb the mountain. Shortly afterward Ashkhen, Rafael’s wife, returns home and sees the disappearing footprints and the feathers on the floor and the mystery unfolds...Directed by Vahan Grigoryan. In Armenian with English subtitles, 11 minutes. 

Sponsors: Armenian Studies Program, Armenian General Benevolent Union, Greater Fresno

Chapter, and AGBU Arts’ Armenians in Film Series.