About Yerevan, Aznavour and career

Transformations of Yerevan

The city has changed dramatically. When I first came here, I was shocked. There was deprivation, blockade, no electricity. It was really terrible. So, I feel very hopeful and grateful to see how the city looks now. As for people, they have become much more inquiring and that’s good. People are questioning the future and where ‘they are going’ and they should do so. I think we are now at another critical point.

“Traces” of Ararat

The confusing point is that we expected more openness from the Turkish side, as I think the film is actually offering a dialogue. But many people reacted against the film and it’s a part of propaganda. The positive thing is that the film is still being talked about, although 11 years have passed since its release.

Aznavour and Ararat

I have always dreamt about having the world’s most famous Armenian starring in my film.

About the influence of previous works

Sometimes my previous works make me angry and I think that something could be different. It’s important for a filmmaker to find his own and unique style through freeing himself from other styles. And the influence of previous films should be reduced to zero.

GAIFF development

I believe the question for now is to invite more distributors and producers to make it more marketable. We have to think about it seriously as the next step of development.

Social filmmaking

I think the opportunity social films provide is the window for the other part of Europe to see how people live here. It’s not necessarily to present the positive sides of the life. It’s the chance to see what the problems are and what people are struggling with. That’s one the reasons we have these types of films.

Armenian movie industry lacks…

There should be more connection with the outside world, like cooperation agreements and technical connection with other countries. The Ministry of Culture should also contribute to this process.

Difference between European and Hollywood films