I've been kicking this thought in my head since I was a childhood. Will we ever get the Armenian Genocide film we deserve? A film which is supported by the right production company, distribution and filmmakers. A film which gains enough attention around the world yet still tells the story of the Armenian Genocide.
Atom Egoyan's Ararat didn't make the impact we had all hoped. Perhaps it was never meant to; after all, it did tell the story of the Armenian Genocide yet Egoyan intertwined parallel stories around this event. While a solid film, it didn't accomplish much on the Armenian Genocide level and certainly didn't increase much awareness.
Firstly, where would we get the material for the screenplay? Original or adapted? There have been several dated articles which claim screenwriter José Rivera has adapted Micheline Aharonian Marcom's novel Three Apples Fell from Heaven into a screenplay. Although I haven't read the novel, these articles did mention if this was made into a film, it would be the equivalent of Schindler's List. Recent news claims Mel Gibson has backed away from the Musa Dagh project, which only makes us wonder if a film will ever see light of day.
I would love to see the day when a film is put into production. However, I wouldn't want non-Armenians to be behind the project, which is why I was uncomfortable with Mel Gibson taking on the film. I would love to see an Armenian writer, director and actors handle the project.
What do you think? Will we break free and make a film as powerful as Schindler's List? How will the film come to light? Who will produce, direct, write the project? What will be the source of material? Original screenplay -- by interviewing survivors, families, etc? Or adapted screenplay -- from a novel, story, etc?
I personally would want experienced producers behind the film, non-Armenians. These people would give us the support we deserve. Imagine Spielberg and his team behind the film, producing. However, I would love an Armenian writer and director to team up to helm the project. The only director that comes to mind is Atom Egoyan, and I don't see him doing another Armenian Genocide film. I also believe original material is the way to go, without incorporating material we don't need. I think the story is enough to give the film substance, everything else can be created during the writing stages.
More importantly, how long do you think it will take for a film like this to break through? I don't mean for another Armenian Genocide film to come along, I mean one that truly captivates everybody. One that drops jaws, sends our message, possibly gets the Genocide recognized, sweeps the Academy Awards. Will this ever happen?
Atom Egoyan's Ararat didn't make the impact we had all hoped. Perhaps it was never meant to; after all, it did tell the story of the Armenian Genocide yet Egoyan intertwined parallel stories around this event. While a solid film, it didn't accomplish much on the Armenian Genocide level and certainly didn't increase much awareness.
Firstly, where would we get the material for the screenplay? Original or adapted? There have been several dated articles which claim screenwriter José Rivera has adapted Micheline Aharonian Marcom's novel Three Apples Fell from Heaven into a screenplay. Although I haven't read the novel, these articles did mention if this was made into a film, it would be the equivalent of Schindler's List. Recent news claims Mel Gibson has backed away from the Musa Dagh project, which only makes us wonder if a film will ever see light of day.
I would love to see the day when a film is put into production. However, I wouldn't want non-Armenians to be behind the project, which is why I was uncomfortable with Mel Gibson taking on the film. I would love to see an Armenian writer, director and actors handle the project.
What do you think? Will we break free and make a film as powerful as Schindler's List? How will the film come to light? Who will produce, direct, write the project? What will be the source of material? Original screenplay -- by interviewing survivors, families, etc? Or adapted screenplay -- from a novel, story, etc?
I personally would want experienced producers behind the film, non-Armenians. These people would give us the support we deserve. Imagine Spielberg and his team behind the film, producing. However, I would love an Armenian writer and director to team up to helm the project. The only director that comes to mind is Atom Egoyan, and I don't see him doing another Armenian Genocide film. I also believe original material is the way to go, without incorporating material we don't need. I think the story is enough to give the film substance, everything else can be created during the writing stages.
More importantly, how long do you think it will take for a film like this to break through? I don't mean for another Armenian Genocide film to come along, I mean one that truly captivates everybody. One that drops jaws, sends our message, possibly gets the Genocide recognized, sweeps the Academy Awards. Will this ever happen?
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