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Film festival is a chance for understanding

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  • Film festival is a chance for understanding

    ANI AMIRKHANIAN

    The Arpa International Film Festival will be arriving in Los Angeles this week. For those who are unfamiliar with this event, Arpa Film Festival is intended to promote cultural understanding and global empathy by presenting a dynamic compilation of international films that explore the issues of diaspora, exile and multiculturalism.

    This film festival, in addition, provides filmmakers the opportunity to share their understanding of the social and political climate of the world through their artistic vision.

    It is fortunate that the community, with residents from near and far, have the chance to celebrate art, culture and social consciousness.

    Among the diverse entries is a 90-minute documentary called "Armenians of Lebanon." The title is misleading, because the documentary not only discusses the history of the diasporan Armenians of Lebanon, it also expands to include the diasporans of other countries in Western Asia, including Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Iran and even Armenia.

    This documentary is a comprehensive history lesson with black and white footage of the Armenian Genocide. It is narrated in Arabic, some Armenian and French with English subtitles.

    The various interviews conducted by the filmmakers indicate clearly that Armenians throughout Western Asia are attempting to understand their identity. It's as though many are conflicted when it comes to identifying with their Armenian heritage and the cultures they have assimilated into as diasporans.

    After watching this documentary, I pondered: How does one define themselves as Armenian? What makes someone an Armenian? What does it mean to be Armenian?

    Is it the language one speaks? Do people identify themselves as Armenians because of the stories they were told about their Armenian ancestors? Is one considered an Armenian if they socialize with what is known as the Armenian culture or integrate themselves into the community?

    There are many more questions that can be asked when it comes to finding one's cultural identity.

    The documentary attempts to explore the identity of the Armenians. During interviews, Armenians in Syria, for example are asked what they know about their Armenian heritage.

    One Syrian-Armenian woman, who speaks Arabic and no Armenian, holds in her hand a picture of her grandmother who died during the genocide. The woman, who is also dressed in traditional Syrian garb, says she knows her grandmother's name and where she lived before she was killed.

    Her husband also reveals his Armenian heritage by telling the history of his ancestors. When asked what their names are they respond with both their Armenian and Arabic surnames.

    The subjects of the documentary are a small minority who identify themselves both with the Arab and Armenian cultures, although their traditions, customs and habits reflect more the Arabic culture and way of life.

    So can people call themselves Armenian even if the only indication of an Armenian identity is a picture of a relative?

    Another issue is that of language. The people who were interviewed spoke no Armenian dialect.

    Does lacking the language skills make people less inclined to identify with a culture?

    For diaspora Armenians, cultural identity is not clearly defined. Culture according on the documentary, is learned and established through socialization and really defined by historical events, facts and social conditions.

    Is there more to calling oneself an Armenian than just through history or learned characteristics, behaviors or traditions? Does Armenian society dictate and define Armenian cultural identity?

    I was left to wonder.

    * ANI AMIRKHANIAN is a news assistant. She may be reached at (818) 637-3230 or by e-mail at ani.amirkhanianlatimes.com.
    "All truth passes through three stages:
    First, it is ridiculed;
    Second, it is violently opposed; and
    Third, it is accepted as self-evident."

    Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)

  • #2
    Press Release - Arpa Film Festival accepting Armenian Films

    PRESS RELEASE
    Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art
    2919 Maxwell St.
    Los Angeles, CA 90027
    Contact: Alex Kalognomos
    Phone/Fax (323) 663-1882
    e-mail: [email protected]


    ARPA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES CALL FOR ENTRIES

    Los Angeles, CA - The 2006 Arpa International Film Festival is
    accepting Armenian films for their 9th annual festival in Hollywood,
    California.

    The Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art (AFFMA) stages its festival
    in October for filmmakers exploring diaspora, war, exile, genocide,
    dual-identity and Armenian culture.

    AFFMA founder Sylvia Minassian says, "Arpa celebrates artistic vision
    and cultural diversity in cinema while illuminating the Armenian
    experience. We're so pleased that people in both the U.S.

    and abroad are becoming aware of the opportunities Arpa gives
    filmmakers to share our unique history through cinema."

    While Armenians live all over the globe, the largest population of
    Armenians outside of Armenia is in Southern California. "Los Angeles
    is a city of unlimited cultural power and Armenians contribute to that
    richness immensely," Minassian says. With that in mind, Arpa honors
    those filmmakers who address the common circumstances of diasporan
    people, redefining what Los Angeles stands for as a global city,
    through the presentation of Armenian films.

    The Arpa International Film Festival accepts films for competition
    in the following categories:

    Feature Length (more than 41 minutes) Short Film (less than 40 minutes)
    Documentary Animation

    Entries must be received no later than June 30, 2006.

    Submission rules and entry form are available online at www.AFFMA.org
    or www.WithoutABox.com

    For sponsorships and ad book opportunities, please contact Arpa at
    (323) 663-1882 or via e-mail at [email protected]

    For additional information, please contact the Arpa Foundation for
    Film, Music and Art at (323) 663-1882.



    [email protected]
    "All truth passes through three stages:
    First, it is ridiculed;
    Second, it is violently opposed; and
    Third, it is accepted as self-evident."

    Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)

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