OPINION | From Drama to Satire: Top Armenian Films to Watch at LA’s Armenian Film Festival

Opinion piece by Diana Martirosyan  

The Armenian Film Festival, to be held in Los Angeles, will present a number of popular films to movie lovers. For The Armenian Report, film critic Diana Martirosyan has singled out some of the films shown within the framework of the festival, which, according to her, are the most spectacular, distinctive, and important for every film lover and person interested in films to watch. These films, created by Armenian creators, are varied in their styles, but each will keep audiences engaged until the end.

Seven Veils by Atom Egoyan

Atom Egoyan's psychosexual drama Seven Veils, which had its world and international premieres at the Toronto and Berlin International Film Festivals, respectively, is one of the most warmly received films by the audience and film critics in recent years. The main role is played by Amanda Seyfried, with whom Egoyan previously collaborated on Chloe. In Seven Veils, Seyfried’s character, Janine, attempts to stage Strauss's Salome while dealing with the mental turmoil of her past, haunted by a ghostly presence. This film is a testament to Egoyan’s ability to explore complex emotional landscapes.

Get your tickets to Seven Veils here.

Yasha and Leonid Brezhnev by Edgar Baghdasaryan

Director and screenwriter Edgar Baghdasaryan’s Yasha and Leonid Brezhnev is a fascinating blend of phantasmagoria, socio-political satire, and Chekhovian drama. This film, which focuses on the life of a small man named Yasha, is one of the most intriguing and spectacular Armenian features in recent years. Armenian cinematography rarely features main characters who are 60 and older, yet this film touches on pressing and painful issues in Armenia, and possibly Eastern Europe as a whole. Baghdasaryan’s work is a poignant reflection on the struggles faced by the elderly in a rapidly changing world.

Get your tickets to Yasha and Leonid Brezhnev here.

1489 by Shoghakat Vardanyan

The documentary-diary 1489 by professional pianist Shoghakat Vardanyan received unprecedented recognition last year, winning both the main and FIPRESCI awards at the prestigious Amsterdam IDFA documentary film festival. Vardanyan’s film is set apart by its direct and personal perspective on the Second Artsakh War, presented from the viewpoint of a family member. It is a simple, human, and tangible depiction of the war, without resorting to pathos. Though 1489 may be difficult for many (especially Armenians) to watch due to its psycho-emotional intensity, it remains a painful but necessary exploration of loss, the search for meaning, and the reinterpretation of war.

Get your tickets to 1489 here.

Big Story in a Small City by Gor Kirakosyan

Gor Kirakosyan’s debut film, Big Story in a Small City, is one of the most authentic and situational black comedies in recent Armenian cinema. While the prologue of the film shows a clear influence from French comedians and satirists-absurdists, such as Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Amelie, Kirakosyan manages to be as real and sincere as possible in his first full-length film. He portrays an absurd yet believable Armenian reality. After watching Big Story in a Small City, one is left with a strong desire to see more Armenian directors placed in ordinary Armenian settings, surrounded by everyday people. Perhaps this approach could bring Armenian comedy back to its roots, reflecting real and natural humor.

Get your tickets to Big Story in a Small City here.

The Armenian Report is a proud sponsor of  the 2024 Armenian Film Festival.

Full program and tickets can be found here.

About Armenian Film Society and Armenian Film Festival

Founded in 2015 by Armen and Mary Karaoghlanian, Armenian Film Society champions Armenian films and champions Armenian filmmakers. Armenian Film Society has held partnerships with organizations such as Vidiots, American Cinematheque, and the Academy Museum, and has welcomed notable guests such as Atom Egoyan, Howard Kazanjian, Joe Manganiello, Mardik Martin, and Sev Ohanian.