The Billionaire

[HyeJinx1984]

Just out of curiosity, what had Kirk Kerkorian done in terms of helping the Armenian community?

[xBaron Dants]

He's helped a lot after the earthquake of 1988.

The Lincy fund he has set up has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on Armenia.
Just last year, 150 million dollars were spent renovating the streets and museums of Armenia.
About the same amount should be invested this year or next year to renovate the schools and hospitals I think.


And someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think he's also the biggest sponsor of FC Pyunik (Armenia's leading futbol club) and has set up many futbol academies in the country.

[HyeJinx1984]

K, cause my friend Hakobian is somethiong of a Kerkorian critisizer and I wanted to see if that sentiment was shared by others.

By the way, it's been a while since I've seen you post, Dants.. welcome back.

[xBaron Dants]

I wouldn't criticize Kerkorian at ALL! He's done great things for Armenia, and acted smartly by putting Minister of Foreign Affairs (and the only Armenian politician I look up to), Vartan Oskanian, in charge of these investments.
Also, he sets deadlines for the completion of the projects. For example, the road and museum reconstruction had to be completed by October 31st, 2003. If the authorities didn't meet the deadline, and if he wasn't pleased with the way his money was handled, he would have cancelled his second investment. Luckily, all was done appropriately.

And thanks for the welcome back. I had been reading around lately, without having much to say. I certainly do not feel like getting into arguments with petty people anymore. I wasn't even sure if I would post again for quiiiite some time at least. But you seem like a descent enough guy, so I thought I'd reply at least to YOUR thread.

[HyeJinx1984]

Well I always liked you cause you just had such pretty eyes Speaking of responding to my threads, might wanna say a little something in the U.S. Armenian Genocide Amendment one. Being the poli-head that you are, I'm pretty sure you've heard of this already, would like to get your take on it.

[HyeJinx1984]

The reason my friend was critisizing Kerkorian was because he bought MGM and dismantled it whenhe could have used that as a vehicle for pushing the Armenian agenda. A man with his kind of wealth and power could have used a film studio to released films such as 40 Days of Musa Dagh and Ararat and even make bigger films with better budgets and screenplays. Even if he didn't want to make films about the genocide or Armenians at all, he could have used MGM as a way to promote young Armenian filmmakers.. such as myself as well as many many others (there's actually a larger Armenian-Film Student community than I ever imagined), giving us a little share of a widely Jewish-ran industry. But no, rather than doing any of that he opted to dismantle the studio and sell it off to make more money. That's what my friend seemed so pissed about, but it turns out he does help in other ways so I am appreciative..... still woulda been nice to hav ethat kinda support in the film industry.

[xBaron Dants]

Good point. Very good point. It IS weird that MGM was never used in that regard. It would definitely be nice to see a good movie about Musa Ler (personally, I have always believed that a movie based on the life of Gomidas would make a beautiful drama/historical movie).

As you seem to be in the business, I would have to trust your opinion on this. Are there any good (real good) Armenian filmmakers out there (besides Egoyan) who deserved the shot, or would it have been, in most cases, a scenario where we have to support a movie only because it is made by an Armenian, despite its lack of....well....everything? Like that movie there...with Satamian, and those kughatsi Armenians in it.. I forget what it was called.

[HyeJinx1984]

Good point. Very good point. It IS weird that MGM was never used in that regard. It would definitely be nice to see a good movie about Musa Ler (personally, I have always believed that a movie based on the life of Gomidas would make a beautiful drama/historical movie).

As you seem to be in the business, I would have to trust your opinion on this. Are there any good (real good) Armenian filmmakers out there (besides Egoyan) who deserved the shot, or would it have been, in most cases, a scenario where we have to support a movie only because it is made by an Armenian, despite its lack of....well....everything? Like that movie there...with Satamian, and those kughatsi Armenians in it.. I forget what it was called.

Oh no, Independant Armenian films are down right laughable. "After Freedom" and "Tune of Nostologia" both left me wondering "huh?". I have this theory, that is Armenians are going to be damn good filmmakers... once we learn filmmaking. It's obvious we have a flare and passion for artistic expression (I don't think I've ever seen so many poets in one race) but the lack of actual intruction and education on the subject.

As far as Directors and screen writers go, there aren't many, however there are many VERY successful producers, such as Richard Serafian and Arthur Sarkissian (Rush Hour films). There are many Armenian Editors and Art Department workers, so we do have somewhat of a presence in Hollywood, but not when it comes to the writing and directing yet... perhaps moi can change that? Someone's gotta do what Kirk didn't...

[xBaron Dants]

I had heard of Sarkissian (actually, when I saw his name on the screen, I screamed out "AMAAAA, HAY E!!! RUSH HOUR-IN MARTE HAY E!" and got some mean looks).

Don't count Kirk out just yet. I think that once there's something worth presenting, he would back it entirely. I'm sure he'll still have SOME contacts in the film industry. But as an Armenian, it's best for him to NOT present films like "After Freedom" (that's the one I was talking about), as it was downright embarassing for me to sit through that.

We shall sit down and talk about this Gomidas idea I have one day.


I do have pretty eyes, don't I?

[HyeJinx1984]

But as an Armenian, it's best for him to NOT present films like "After Freedom" (that's the one I was talking about), as it was downright embarassing for me to sit through that.

"xxxx me like an FOB!!!"

I was laughing for hours...

And for sure, would love to get together and do a little creative intercourse and see what comes of it.