The terrible, tragic events of 1915 shocked not only the Armenian people, but the whole world. In this article we will tell you about the five most touching and famous films about the Armenian Genocide. Because of this, not so many art paintings have been shot. One of the main reasons is Turkey’s rejection of the recognition of the truth that there was genocide. For example, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s attempts to shoot a film based on Franz Werfel’s literary publication Forty Days of Musa Dag have stopped more than once because of Turkey’s influence on the US Department of State. Nevertheless, the novel could be made into a movie, but only after 48 years.
The film about the Armenian Genocide 2015 - "Scar"
The author invites viewers to think about human values, compassion and morality, regardless of what nationality you are and what faith you profess. Director Fatih Akin (of Turkish blood) did not look at political prohibitions and obstacles in order to remove the world famous “Scar” - a film about the Armenian Genocide. The action begins at the height of the First World War. The main character, the blacksmith Nazareth Manukyan, enters the army with the Turkish soldiers. But by coincidence, it turns out not in war, but in hard labor, where many other Armenians work. The Turks decided to deal with the prisoners, Nazareth miraculously manages to survive, but he loses his voice. A man wanders through the desert and finds out that his family was killed. But after a while the news reaches him that his daughters are probably alive and sent to Cuba.
A father leaves to look for his children. He traveled to almost all corners of the world, starting his journey from his settlement of Mardin, then he visited the desert of Mesopotamia, Cuba, and North Dakota. The film is full of metaphors and symbolic meanings, and the name “Scar” itself is a symbol of an indelible nightmare that has been imprinted in people's memory for life. The scar for our character is a memo about the Turkish blade, which made him a voiceless and defenseless man in front of the social world. Throughout the whole picture, an Armenian chorus plays, like a cry from the soul of a person who has lost loved ones and relatives. The film begins with the singing of Nazareth’s wife, and in the second part she comes to him with a vision so as not to let him die.
Filming was carried out in Jordan, Canada, Germany, Cuba and Malta. The change of landscape from day to day and the hero’s long journey from one place to another resembles the tale of Sinbad, which overcame obstacles and headed towards its main goal - the house. “Scar” was the first film about the Armenian Genocide of 2015, which was shown in Turkey. The tape received a prize at the Venice Festival.
"1915" (2015)
The painting “1915” is dedicated to the centenary of the Armenian Genocide. The plot tells how the theater in Los Angeles staged a play in memory of the victims of the genocide. Soon after the performance, society feels only hatred and despair. In addition, strange, sometimes inexplicable mystical things connected with the terrible past of one actress begin to occur inside the theater. The film was shot by American directors of Armenian roots, these are: Karin Hovhannisyan and Alex Mukhibyan. And the soundtrack for the film was written by a popular rock musician, frontman of the band System of a Down.
Ararat (2002)
This film tells the audience how the Armenian filmmaker Edward Saroyan is shooting films about the Armenian Genocide in 1915. What was told and shown in the film impressed the young driver who worked on the set so much that he decided to leave for Turkey, because this is the birthplace of his ancestors. She received five awards for showing the film, the Golden Apricot Award in 2004.
Lark's Nest (2007)
The film was shot according to the book of the Italian writer of Armenian roots Anthony Arslan "The Lark Manor". The picture tells of two Armenian brothers who have not seen each other for 20 years. Aram plans to visit his brother’s estate, but a series of strange and tragic events impedes their reunion. The beginning of World War I, and then the Turkish military received orders to destroy Armenian families.
Many films about the Armenian Genocide have received awards and international recognition. So, the picture "Lark Manor" was awarded the Golden Apricot Prize at the festival in 2007. Also, the honorary reward from the hands of the President of Armenia Robert Kocharian received the brothers-directors Taviani. The award was labeled "For Contribution to the International Recognition of Genocide."
Mayrick (Mom) (1991)
The picture tells about the Armenian family of Zakaryans who, fleeing genocide, moved to Marseille. Despite all the difficulties of life in a foreign country, their love and trust helps the family. The story is told on behalf of a six-year-old child. The director of the film was Henri Verneuil, he dedicated it to his beloved mother, whose memories went down in the history of the painting. Most of the actors, including Claudia Cardinale, starred in the film for free. The main role was played by actor Omar Sharif, who was banned from entering Turkey after the premiere of the film.
Films about the Armenian Genocide reveal the true story of the physical destruction of the Armenian people. During wartime, at least 664 thousand people died.