Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
July 5, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
DOCUMENTARY ON THE DEVASTATING IMPACT OF THE TURKISH
BLOCKADE ON ARMENIA SELECTED FOR FILM FESTIVALS
— Film Narrated by System of a Down’s Serj Tankian;
Won Praise of Award-Winning Director Atom Egoyan
WASHINGTON, DC – “Armenia, a Country under Blockade,” a powerful
documentary film on the impact of Turkey’s blockade of Armenia was
featured at the recently concluded Myrtle Beach International Film
Festival, and has been chosen as an official selection for the
upcoming “Golden Apricots,” Yerevan’s International film festival,
which will take place between July 12 and 17th, reported the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
Narrated by System of a Down lead vocalist Serj Tankian and
directed by Diran Noubar, the 52-minute documentary film describes,
in compelling images and through first-hand accounts, the human
impact of Turkey’s decade-long, illegal blockade of Armenia. It
has been met with critical acclaim, including a standing ovation at
the Cannes Festival’s film market held earlier this year. Academy
Award nominee Atom Egoyan (1997-The Sweet Hereafter) has called
“Armenia, a Country under Blockade” a “very worthy and important
document.”
The timing of the film’s release, on the eve of the European
Union’s membership negotiations with Turkey, sparked a sharp
reaction from Ankara, and interest on the part of Europeans
troubled by the prospect of accepting a member state that so
flagrantly violates international law. The film was shot entirely
in Armenia.
“Diran Noubar’s powerful work is bringing the story of Armenia –
and the brutal impact of Turkey’s illegal blockade – to the
attention of vast new international audiences,” said Aram
Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “We encourage Armenian
Americans to watch this documentary – and just as importantly – to
share it with their local elected officials, to arrange screenings
for civic groups, and to encourage its broadcast by local
television stations.”
The film will be shown twice at the Golden Apricots, on July 12th
at 5:00 pm and again on July 13th at 11:00 am at the Cinema House
at Moskva Movie Theater in Yerevan. For further information,
contact:
Diran Noubar
Kayane Productions, Inc
1901 Dorset Drive
Tarrytown, NY 10591
(646)642-0544
(917)459-4109