Will we ever get the Armenian Genocide film we deserve?

[Sako]

Re: Will we ever get the Armenian Genocide film we deserve?

In short, I agree. Nobody wants to sit through a three-hour gruesome portrayal of the Genocide. In the audience's opinion, they've already seen that; World War I.

Your forgetting WWII and all the other war movies, lol. But I think that even those movies can be made again and still be very exciting. There is a special script I have called May 9th and it's based on the last day of WWII. What makes it so different is that there are facts in it that most haven't even heard about. Most importantly it focuses on a side of WWII that was never talked about in any war movie. Anything can be done tastefully, all you need is a good imagination and a good pen.

We need a solid story; however, it can originate from a novel or story. I don't agree with finding mistakes in films that stem from novels. You don't have much control in an original screenplay because it must be a fabricated tale or a personal encounter's story.

I agree but people don't look at it that way. For example, look at the avid readers out there. So many of them watch movies based on the books they've read and come out disdained. Why? Because so many parts of the story were cut out. So like I said, many people who don't think like you search for mistakes and sometimes disregard whether the movie was nicely directed, produced, etc. Like I said though, anything can be done tastefully so there aren't really any boundaries.

A novel usually has a story built around an actual fact, which is what you're looking for anywhere. I'm not saying it can't be done; Dustin Lance Black just got an Oscar tonight for doing that with Milk.

You have a point. My only issue is that movies kinda break down a long story/novel/book which many people don't like. So my idea of a good movie would be creating something new and throwing in tons of facts instead of basing the entire movie on the facts themselves. Everything should be revolving around something solid not the Genocide itself (which is pretty broad) because there is a risk that the movie might become a documental and there are tons of those.

[One-Way]

Re: Will we ever get the Armenian Genocide film we deserve?

In short, I agree. Nobody wants to sit through a three-hour gruesome portrayal of the Genocide. In the audience's opinion, they've already seen that; World War I. We need a solid story; however, it can originate from a novel or story. I don't agree with finding mistakes in films that stem from novels. You don't have much control in an original screenplay because it must be a fabricated tale or a personal encounter's story. A novel usually has a story built around an actual fact, which is what you're looking for anywhere. I'm not saying it can't be done; Dustin Lance Black just got an Oscar tonight for doing that with Milk.

By the way, I found a copy of The Lark Farm online so I'll be checking it out soon.

[Sako]

Re: Will we ever get the Armenian Genocide film we deserve?

Saco, I agree that we don't have enough experience. However, you'd be surprised at how many Armenian filmmakers are graduating film school, getting their films recognized, etc.

No, no I get that but like you said ...

The day will come but what I fear is we'll have a bunch of average films, which will eventually degrade the entire meaning of a Genocide film.

We need international support. And by the way, a little mistake, Taxi, Eli Lava will be screening in theaters on the 5th of March. Can't wait to see what the plot is.

Aside from this, the soap opera/serial you mentioned is terrible and I hate it with passion.

I wouldn't say I hate them but the reason I like them is because they really got style. They look like movies, the direction isn't too shabby, and some of my fav. actors are in them.

Sorry. I wish I could find a copy of The Lark Farm, I've been meaning to see it for years.

I actually saw it on TV, lol. I didn't buy the DVD or anything. It isn't in Armenian or English. I watched the Armenian translated version.

Ararat was a lumbering, clucking, turkey of a movie, only redeemed by Egoyan's wonderful way of dismissing its abject failure by saying its bad bits were bad because he had made them intentionally bad. And he got the diaspora, with its "when are you going to make an AG movie" demands, off his back for good.

I agree. Let's remember that it was his career on the line so naturally, he wouldn't try doing something serious. He was pretty much the first person to make an AG movie in Hollywood and I can imagine what he went through. So bottom line is, I appreciate what he did, what he tried to do, rather then what he produced in the end. He paved the road for new directors and writers to make movies related to the AG as well. So like I said, Ararat was an intro.

What are you're views on what I said regarding scripts One-Way?

[One-Way]

Re: Will we ever get the Armenian Genocide film we deserve?

It felt like Atom Egoyan was telling his personal story of the Genocide. Just like Aznavour's character says in the film he is filming an movie about the Armenian Genocide from his mother's perspective; I feel like Egoyan was doing one with his own personal values, hence the character of Arshile Gorky.

Saco, I agree that we don't have enough experience. However, you'd be surprised at how many Armenian filmmakers are graduating film school, getting their films recognized, etc. These are American rased Armenians who fit under the umbrella of Hollywood filmmaking. The day will come but what I fear is we'll have a bunch of average films, which will eventually degrade the entire meaning of a Genocide film.

Aside from this, the soap opera/serial you mentioned is terrible and I hate it with passion. Sorry. I wish I could find a copy of The Lark Farm, I've been meaning to see it for years.

[bell-the-cat]

Re: Will we ever get the Armenian Genocide film we deserve?

Atom Egoyan didn't make a great movie but he definitely made a solid movie.

Ararat was a lumbering, clucking, turkey of a movie, only redeemed by Egoyan's wonderful way of dismissing its abject failure by saying its bad bits were bad because he had made them intentionally bad. And he got the diaspora, with its "when are you going to make an AG movie" demands, off his back for good.

[Sako]

Re: Will we ever get the Armenian Genocide film we deserve?

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 think a new, surprising, and interesting, not to mention exciting story would do wonders. We can add tons of facts into the story in intuitive ways. But basing a movie on the facts themselves might not give us what we want.

Right now, I think ONE movie has to be made that can shake up Hollywood. We can do that because there aren't many movies based on the AG, only films. A proper movie could do wonders. People aren't prepared for that. Look at Armenia. Whenever a movie comes out, everyone is so excited. Why? Because we don't see too many of them every year.

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.

Amen to that .

The only director that comes to mind is Atom Egoyan, and I don't see him doing another Armenian Genocide film.

Perhaps but I don't think the Armenian film industry depends on Atom Egoyan. I don't really call Ararat a movie based on the AG either. I kept wanting to but it just wasn't possible. I even have Ararat at home and watch it from time to time but still, I'd rather say it's a movie about an Armenian family. I don't think Atom wanted to shake up Hollywood or anything. It was his career and I think he just wanted to try something new rather then make a powerful statement.

I also believe original material is the way to go, without incorporating material we don't need.

I'd actually like to hear your ideas. What type of story are you talking about? Give me a detailed example. I think adding a bit of fiction into the movie would be good. Only facts ruin the experience at times. Just my opinion.

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?

Definitely. We just need to work on our ideas and bring everyone together. This new movie Taxi, Eli Lava shows that Armenians are trying to get something done. Let's not give up. I think we'll be getting a lot of surprises in the near future.

[Sako]

Re: Will we ever get the Armenian Genocide film we deserve?

Great question, One-Way. I've asked this actually in many different places and I guess I've come to realize that if anything has to be made, we'll have to make it ourselves. Armenians have to pull themselves together and get a proper movie made, a movie that can match the current Hollywood standards. Our story is very powerful and I know we can translate it all into a masterpiece. Here are my views.

1. We want a movie, not a film. Ararat was a film and I agree, it didn't get us really anywhere. It was more of an intro you can say. The real AG movie we all want is only in our minds unfortunately at the moment.

2. Now, let me ask you something. How can a movie like the one we want be made? I hear many say that Armenians have to get it made. Well, let me present to you all a piece of information. A new Armenian movie called Taxi, Eli Lave has been released. It will be unveiled on the 25th of this month. TEN ARMENIAN DIRECTORS have worked on that movie and pretty much every Armenian actor we know of is in it. From the trailer, I got the impression that it is a big step forward but this type of a movie could be probably made by one Hollywood or Bollywood director. Why did TEN DIRECTORS have to make it? We don't have enough juice, that's why. We don't have enough experience. I simply can't WAIT to see what these TEN DIRECTORS did! I'm not criticizing, I just can't believe TEN DIRECTORS were required to make such a movie. I can imagine how many directors would be needed to make an AG Movie with high standards. We'd break a record for the most directors ever working on one single movie .

3. I think the only real Armenian soap operas that deserve attention are Vervaratsnerun Untanikum and Vorogait. They look more like movies then serials. The cameras used are great and let us remember that Verv. was the first Armenian soap opera. Look at how far it has come. Vor. is being made by the same director and writer. My point is that if a movie has to be made, we need proper cameras and everything. I watched the Lark Farm but it seemed like a film rather then a movie. Actually, it seemed more like a serial. Plus, I felt as if it was describing an Italian Genocide rather then the Armenian Genocide. It wasn't made by Armenians, that's why it felt a bit awkward perhaps. To top it off, there were no Armenians in the movie and the whole setting didn't feel right either. The directors seemed to have very limited knowledge about Armenia. I agree with you One-Way, outsiders have to work WITH Armenians to get anything done, not alone.

_______________________________________________

I'd like to be a bit more open from here on.

I think the question we should be asking One-Way is what story would be suitable for a movie. I haven't read Musa Dagh or Three Apples. but to tell you the truth, I'm not very keen on watching a movie based on articles, books, etc. Why? Because when people watch these type of movies, they always look for mistakes almost naturally. Look at the HP movies. The books were great and I wish I could say the same about the movies. They removed so much from the books it almost got boring. I'd leave the theater if I knew Musa Dagh or Three Apples. was made into a movie and so many parts from the book were removed from the script. That's the problem with turning books into movies/films.

I truly think that if we want to produce something powerful we'll have to come up with a script that challenges the current Hollywood standards. It should have everything in it, not just guns and blood. It is very hard to impress the current generation because all types of movies come out daily. So, what type of story would impress people? Many directors/writers don't know what to film, I'm sure.

I think some pros from the US and perhaps other parts of the world as well will have to work with us side by side to get our story told. Armenians can't do it alone, period. Atom Egoyan didn't make a great movie but he definitely made a solid movie. I doubt many Armenians will be able to even do that. Why? Because we don't have enough experience. Plus, some great actors from the west should definitely be in the movie. It's definitely a good move. I loved the Last Samurai for example. I loved Memoirs of a Geisha. They were truly amazing movies, not films. Memoirs of Geisha is a book which I look forward to reading but still, I think the movie was great. Not every director can make a movie based on a book.

Coming back to Mel Gibson. I don't think he would do a really bad job. He has experience and I'm sure he'll work with Armenians. He won't be careless enough to direct it all alone without Armenian support. It is after all our history. I kinda look forward to his movie if it ever comes out.

I have a lot more to say but to make a long story short, I think we should start talking about stories that would translate into good movies but MOST IMPORTANTLY stories that would present Armenia and our culture professionally. For almost four years now, for example, I've been working on a script of mine that presents our entire culture, country, history, etc. in an informative way. Most importantly, it's something new. It's not based on a book or anything. It's packed with tons of facts but the movie itself isn't based on them. It has a special story to tell. When I get into the movie industry here in Armenia, I'll definitely try to make it. I've been wanting to get in for a long time but constant traveling didn't give me a chance to.

So that's me. I think we should think about scripts much more then whether or not we can get them made. Let's get to the river first before thinking of ways to cross it.

[merhayrenik]

Re: Will we ever get the Armenian Genocide film we deserve?

We're not good at producing movies.
We need help from Israelis.

[One-Way]

Re: Will we ever get the Armenian Genocide film we deserve?

But is it worth it then having our people getting known out in the world?

In my opinion, it's not going to make the impact I was talking about. This is another story, focusing on a certain area and time. I was talking about an overall story of the Armenian Genocide; having some Armenians in the film, not Sylvester Stallone!

[Pazooki]

Re: Will we ever get the Armenian Genocide film we deserve?

Either way, I hope it doesn't happen for the reasons stated above.

But is it worth it then having our people getting known out in the world?