Armenian Film Society to Host LA Premiere of Powerful War Documentary "1489" at Armenian Film Festival

The Armenian Film Society will present the powerful documentary “1489” as part of its second annual film festival, scheduled to take place on September 7 at 8 p.m. in Glendale. The film, which has garnered significant attention for its raw and personal portrayal of a family’s experience during the Artsakh War, will be featured alongside a diverse lineup of films celebrating Armenian cinema.

Armen Karaoghlanian, the founder and director of the festival, spoke with The Armenian Report about his reaction to “1489”. “When I first watched the film, I was struck by its rawness,” Karaoghlanian explained. “Shoghakat Vardanyan, the filmmaker, had no formal training in filmmaking. Despite that, the film’s approach—both in its storytelling and technical aspects—was incredibly natural and unlike anything I had seen before.”

Karaoghlanian emphasized that the decision to include “1489” in this year’s festival lineup was clear from the start. “The Armenian Film Festival aims to showcase the best of Armenian cinema,” he said. “Since the moment I saw “1489”, I knew it had to be part of our program. It’s a deeply personal account that provides a unique perspective on the 44-day war, offering insights into the personal and universal aspects of the conflict.”

The film follows Vardanyan and her family as they grapple with the uncertainty of a loved one’s fate during the 2020 Artsakh War. Karaoghlanian highlighted the film’s distinctive approach: “Unlike other films about the war, “1489” presents a very subjective experience. Its personal nature makes it resonate on a broader, more universal level.”

Karaoghlanian also noted the excitement surrounding “1489” among festival attendees and organizers. “There’s been a lot of anticipation for this film,” he said. “Few people have seen it so far, and everyone is eager for its screening. It’s a testament to the film’s impact and the high regard in which it is held.”

The 2024 Armenian Film Festival, running from September 4-8 at LOOK Cinemas in Glendale, promises a rich array of films. The festival will open with the U.S. premiere of Atom Egoyan’s “Seven Veils”, starring Amanda Seyfried, and close with Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers’ Academy Award-winning short documentary “The Last Repair Shop”. Other highlights include Jean-Bernard Marlin’s “Salem”, Gor Kirakosian’s remastered comedy “Big Story in a Small City”, and additional documentaries focusing on Artsakh.

Shoghakat Vardanyan, the director of “1489”, is expected to attend the festival, providing a rare opportunity for attendees to hear firsthand about her experience and insights into the film. Karaoghlanian encourages festival-goers to take advantage of this unique chance to interact with Vardanyan and deepen their understanding of the film.

The festival’s lineup reflects its commitment to showcasing a broad spectrum of Armenian cinema. “We are proud of the talent on display this year,” Karaoghlanian said. “‘1489’ is a standout example of the exceptional filmmaking that the festival aims to highlight.”

The Armenian Film Society, founded in 2015 by Armen and Mary Karaoghlanian, continues to champion Armenian films and filmmakers. The festival’s full program and ticket information are available on the Armenian Film Society’s website.