Can We Have More Comedies? As Armenia Processes Trauma and Rattles EU Membership
In a quest for healing and self-discovery, Armenian cinema is taking on the task of confronting trauma and forging a new narrative. From documentaries that delve into the nation's past to films that explore its modern-day struggles, a diverse range of voices are emerging to shed light on the complexities of Armenia's identity.
At the forefront of this movement is Tamara Stepanyan's My Armenian Phantoms, an audiovisual journey through the works of Armenia's lost cinematic pioneers. The film serves as a poignant reminder of the nation's rich cultural heritage and its connection to the Soviet era. As Stepanyan herself notes, "It is about the fake and real concept of love... and without trying to sound pathetic, our film is about freedom."
This sentiment resonates with Sossie Kasbarian, a senior lecturer in politics at the University of Stirling. The Armenian diaspora, which comprises around three times more ethnic Armenians than those living in the country, can act as a complement to the nation state and a dynamic site for transnational identity and culture.
Kasbarian highlights the importance of engaging with other cultures and sharing stories that transcend borders. In this context, films like Monsieur Aznavour, which explores the life of the iconic French Armenian singer-songwriter Charles Aznavour, become crucial in fostering cross-cultural understanding.
The 2023 Armenian Film Festival in London, for instance, featured a biopic on Aznavour alongside Eric Nazarian's Die Like a Man, a gritty drama set in working-class Los Angeles. The event secured BFI funding and established itself as an important platform for showcasing Armenian cinema to a wider audience.
In the face of ongoing tensions with neighboring Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia is seeking new avenues for engagement. Recent developments include the country's bid to join the EU and a US-brokered peace treaty signed by Yerevan and Baku, which includes provisions for the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (Tripp).
For Kira Adibekov, who organized the film festival alongside Tatevik Ayvazyan, Tripp has brought some measure of calm to the region. While viewed as a vague proposal, its potential benefits are seen in initiatives like Tumo, which provides free creative education to teenagers.
Ayvazyan reflects on Armenia's 35th anniversary since independence from the former USSR next year. Under the surface of relations with the EU, she notes that the country still needs to recover from war and Soviet rule, learning how to function as a nation in the modern era.
As Armenian cinema continues to navigate its trajectory, it is clear that films like My Armenian Phantoms will remain crucial in forging a narrative that captures the complexity and diversity of this small nation. By exploring themes of love, freedom, and self-discovery, these productions offer a unique lens through which to examine the experiences of Armenia's people.
In an era marked by conflict and displacement, the importance of storytelling cannot be overstated. As Sossie Kasbarian so eloquently puts it: "The experience of being Armenian in the republic, and being Armenian in the post-genocide western diaspora are two distinct historical experiences... their cultural production will reflect that."
For now, as Armenia navigates its uncertain future, films like these serve as a testament to the resilience and creativity of its people. By sharing their stories, they invite us to consider the complexities of identity, community, and culture in this pivotal moment for the nation.
In a quest for healing and self-discovery, Armenian cinema is taking on the task of confronting trauma and forging a new narrative. From documentaries that delve into the nation's past to films that explore its modern-day struggles, a diverse range of voices are emerging to shed light on the complexities of Armenia's identity.
At the forefront of this movement is Tamara Stepanyan's My Armenian Phantoms, an audiovisual journey through the works of Armenia's lost cinematic pioneers. The film serves as a poignant reminder of the nation's rich cultural heritage and its connection to the Soviet era. As Stepanyan herself notes, "It is about the fake and real concept of love... and without trying to sound pathetic, our film is about freedom."
This sentiment resonates with Sossie Kasbarian, a senior lecturer in politics at the University of Stirling. The Armenian diaspora, which comprises around three times more ethnic Armenians than those living in the country, can act as a complement to the nation state and a dynamic site for transnational identity and culture.
Kasbarian highlights the importance of engaging with other cultures and sharing stories that transcend borders. In this context, films like Monsieur Aznavour, which explores the life of the iconic French Armenian singer-songwriter Charles Aznavour, become crucial in fostering cross-cultural understanding.
The 2023 Armenian Film Festival in London, for instance, featured a biopic on Aznavour alongside Eric Nazarian's Die Like a Man, a gritty drama set in working-class Los Angeles. The event secured BFI funding and established itself as an important platform for showcasing Armenian cinema to a wider audience.
In the face of ongoing tensions with neighboring Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia is seeking new avenues for engagement. Recent developments include the country's bid to join the EU and a US-brokered peace treaty signed by Yerevan and Baku, which includes provisions for the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity" (Tripp).
For Kira Adibekov, who organized the film festival alongside Tatevik Ayvazyan, Tripp has brought some measure of calm to the region. While viewed as a vague proposal, its potential benefits are seen in initiatives like Tumo, which provides free creative education to teenagers.
Ayvazyan reflects on Armenia's 35th anniversary since independence from the former USSR next year. Under the surface of relations with the EU, she notes that the country still needs to recover from war and Soviet rule, learning how to function as a nation in the modern era.
As Armenian cinema continues to navigate its trajectory, it is clear that films like My Armenian Phantoms will remain crucial in forging a narrative that captures the complexity and diversity of this small nation. By exploring themes of love, freedom, and self-discovery, these productions offer a unique lens through which to examine the experiences of Armenia's people.
In an era marked by conflict and displacement, the importance of storytelling cannot be overstated. As Sossie Kasbarian so eloquently puts it: "The experience of being Armenian in the republic, and being Armenian in the post-genocide western diaspora are two distinct historical experiences... their cultural production will reflect that."
For now, as Armenia navigates its uncertain future, films like these serve as a testament to the resilience and creativity of its people. By sharing their stories, they invite us to consider the complexities of identity, community, and culture in this pivotal moment for the nation.
Armenia needs some serious laughs after all that trauma 
I'm not saying they don't deserve to explore their past and struggles, but like, can't we have some fun too? 
These films are so deep and emotional, i love them, but sometimes you just wanna sit back and watch a funny guy sing and dance on screen 
Tamara Stepanyan's My Armenian Phantoms is giving me all the feels though 
Sossie Kasbarian makes some legit points about cultural exchange and identity tho 
So yeah, let's keep having these thought-provoking films, but can we throw in a rom-com or two too? 
maybe one that explores love and freedom like the film says? 
I think it's awesome that Armenian cinema is finally getting some love! We've been hearing about their struggles for years, but now they're taking matters into their own hands by creating films like "My Armenian Phantoms" 
. It's like they're saying, "Hey, we're more than just a nation with a complicated past – we're living, breathing people with stories to tell." 
And I love how these films are exploring themes of love, freedom, and identity 
. It's like they're giving us permission to get to know them better, to understand their experiences and perspectives 
. The Armenian diaspora is a great example of this – it's like they're showing us that even when people are apart, their culture and community can still thrive 
. Let's keep supporting these talented filmmakers and continue to share their stories with the world 
. I mean, can you imagine how tough it must be to process all that trauma and history? These films are not just entertaining, they're a way for the people to heal and connect with each other on a deeper level. And I love how the Armenian diaspora is being recognized as a dynamic site for transnational identity and culture - it's all about breaking down those borders and sharing stories 
.
i'm all for Armenian cinema and culture, but let's not forget the importance of comedy in healing and self-discovery 
...can't we just find some laughs amidst all this serious stuff? 
. But in the midst of all this trauma, Armenian cinema is rising from the ashes 
#ArmenianCinema #TraumaHealingThroughFilm #EUMembership
I think it's so cool that Armenian cinema is taking on the challenge of telling stories about trauma and healing! It's like, you know when you're feeling lost and need someone to share your story with? 
That's what these films are doing for Armenia - sharing their experiences and helping them process their past. And I love how they're connecting with other cultures through music, like Charles Aznavour, it's like a big ol' hug 
I mean, it's great that Armenia is trying to reconnect with Europe, but can we talk about how this might affect the country's unique cultural landscape? Are they going to lose their traditional ways of storytelling because of all these new influences and pressures? It feels like there's already too much of a commercialization vibe around Armenian cinema right now 
. Can't we have more comedies, you know, to balance out all the drama and tragedy? Armenia needs some humor, trust me! 
anywayz, i think its cool that they're tryin to use cinema as a way to heal & connect with each other... but lets not forget that there's more 2 Armenia than just trauma & history 
and i gotta say, it's really inspiring to see how films are helping process trauma & forge a new narrative 
. It's amazing how films like these are bringing Armenian culture to the forefront and helping people understand the complexities of identity and community.
.
!
It's time to bring some comedy into this conversation! We need more laughs, not more somber films about trauma and identity. And can we please just forget about Nagorno-Karabakh for a sec? 
