The films of Armenian-American producer Sev Ohanian have won Oscars, Cannes awards, Golden Globes and other prestigious prizes. Ohanian creates multi-genre films, addressing the problems of individuals and different communities. He does not forget to touch on the Armenians. The producer says he wants to occupy a strong place in American cinema by making valuable films on Armenian topics.
In 2026, the film “The Sinners” brought great success to Sev Ohanian, winning four Oscars in addition to a number of other awards. An Armenpress correspondent managed to get in touch with the producer. The interlocutors spoke about the Oscar-winning film, Ohanian’s journey and the nuances of cinematography.
– Good morning, Mr. Ohanian, how are you?
-I’m very well. How are you?
– Very well, since we managed to get in touch with you. How is the day going for an Oscar-winning producer living in the US?
-My wife Natalie and I have a three-year-old son named Aren. In recent months, I have been very busy, including on weekends. Before the Oscars, I participated in various award ceremonies and film promotion events, and I was not home much. Yesterday, I found time to take my son to the park, and today I have already visited my parents and helped them.
– You manage to be a good father, a good husband, and a good professional.
-I try.
– In recent weeks, we have been eagerly awaiting one of the most prestigious events in cinema, the Oscars, where your film “The Sinners” was nominated in a record 16 categories. You won in four categories, for which I congratulate you. People in Armenia are also proud of you and have high expectations.
-Thank you.
– Cultural figures often say that after big victories, there is sometimes a feeling of emptiness. How is it in your case?
-We have many goals, and there is a lot of work to do, so we stay busy. We are implementing television projects in Canada, the US and elsewhere. We do not have much time to think about awards, but I am very happy because our film was loved and watched all over the world. For us, it is a great victory. We especially value Autumn Durald’s victory in the Best Cinematography category — she is the only female filmmaker to receive an award in that category. The victories of Ryan, Michael and Ludwig are also very meaningful for all of us. That day, we celebrated until dawn.
– Did you expect that you would win in the categories of Best Actor, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score and Best Cinematography? Maybe you had other expectations.
-Before the awards ceremony, we thought that the film “One Battle After Another” could win, but we did not focus on winning or losing. In fact, we do not make films for awards – we simply love this work and want to make more films that are relevant to different cultures. Awards in different categories can also help in their own way to create new films about both Black and Armenian families.
– I enjoyed watching “The Sinners,” the events of which develop quickly and unexpectedly. I noticed that one of the main elements of the film is music. Why did you build the film around blues?
-My partner, the film’s director Ryan Coogler, comes from a Black American family, for whom this music is very important. In addition, pop, rock, rock ’n’ roll and a number of other musical genres originated from blues.
There is a scene in the film where the character plays music and sees his ancestors and relatives. When creating the film, we hoped that even after many years, people would understand that art and music have a unifying quality.
-As the film’s prologue says, music erases the boundaries between life and death, present and past. You have been collaborating with Ryan Coogler for a long time. In addition to the film “The Sinners,” you have made a number of other films. Do your visions as a producer and director always coincide?
-My first film is called “My Big Fat Armenian Family.” During the holidays, I joined forces with my friends and relatives and filmed it on my father’s camera. The film consisted of small parts, which I later turned into a complete film. I spent eight hundred dollars on it. I decided to show it at a school in Glendale.
I didn’t expect that more than a thousand people would pay to watch my film. When I was accepted to the Southern California Film School, where there were students from all over the world and I was the only Armenian, I was embarrassed to show the film. I thought they wouldn’t understand it, especially since it was in Armenian. The only person who wanted to see the film was Ryan Coogler. He not only understood it but also loved it, noting that it reminded him a lot of his own family and friends.
He said that we are representatives of different nations and families, but we have a lot in common. After graduating from university, our cooperation began. We have been working together for about 15 years and still have many projects. Ryan always says that we should make a film on an Armenian theme, as well as a TV show, which we are already working on. One of my goals was to establish a place in American cinema that would allow us to present our stories in the future.
– Armenian history is rich in interesting events. Is there a page or an episode that you would like to explore in a film?
-We have two projects that I cannot talk much about right now. One of the films tells the story of heroes living in different parts of the world. One of the characters is from Latin America, another from Africa, Asia and Armenia. It will be an action-adventure film. I think that when watching the film, people will reflect on how brave and intelligent the Armenian woman is. Her character will give us an opportunity to get to know her better. The other project is a TV series about Armenians living in the United States.
– Let’s go back to the film “The Sinners.” In the film, Michael B. Jordan plays two characters. It seems that the filming was complicated. Was there a part that was particularly difficult to shoot?
-There’s a scene where the vampires dance. We decided to shoot it in one night. We worked until sunrise. There were many difficult days. Michael did a great job and truly deserved the Oscar. One of the twin brothers (both played by Michael B. Jordan) wore smaller shoes, while the other wore larger ones. We paid attention to such details to make everything more convincing.
– You said that you wanted to establish your place in cinema to tell our stories. Some of your successful films include “Fruitvale Station” and “Judas and the Black Messiah,” which won awards at Cannes and other prestigious film festivals. Was that path easy? It is also worth noting that the films were commercially successful.
-It was difficult at first. My wife, Natalie, is also a producer, and I work with her. We have a film called “Searching.” The budget of the film was $800,000, but it earned $75 million and was a great success. Such works enhance our reputation and allow us to implement our other projects more easily. Now it is very difficult to make a film on an Armenian theme. In the past twenty-five years, no Armenian-themed film shot in the United States has made money, even if it was good, like “The Promise.”
Twenty years ago, Atom Egoyan made “Ararat,” which also did not generate much revenue. Studios that finance films take everything into account. They try to understand how much similar Armenian-themed films have earned before deciding to invest. So we need to move step by step so that the right time comes and they can more easily provide funding.
– I remember how happy we were last year when we saw Armenian actors Karen Karagulyan and Vache Tovmasyan in a non-Armenian film. This year, your name was mentioned. Your parents are from Persia, you were born in Germany and grew up in the United States. In your film about an Armenian family, respect and care are emphasized. What Armenian traditions have been preserved in your family?
-We speak Armenian at home. I speak Persian Armenian, and my wife speaks Western Armenian. Our son attends an Armenian school. I want us to always be surrounded by Armenians. I should also mention that we often go to Armenian restaurants, which is wonderful.
– In the context of globalization, we are also trying to preserve traditions in our country. Mr. Ohanian, it is often said that cinema is a serious strategic tool, but in recent years it has become more about entertainment. In your opinion, what problem should it address?
-My mother, father and I are immigrants. Many of our relatives also moved to the United States. At first, we didn’t have any money, but we gradually made progress. I think there is a serious issue with immigrants in America today that many people do not talk about. It seems that the United States does not appreciate its immigrants as much now, and that is wrong. If possible, I would make a film about people coming from other countries and making the United States better.
There is conflict in the world. We need to watch as many films as possible that unite us and promote peace. “The Sinners” touches on this as well. It shows that people who are different from white Americans are also good, hardworking, loving and loved.
– Do you follow Armenian cinema?
-I follow it a little.
– Have you thought about working with Armenian actors?
-I really like Karen and Vache from the film “Anora.” Angela Sarafyan is a great actress, and Eric Bogosian as well. Among Armenian directors, Gor Kirakosyan makes very entertaining films. When he shows me his films, I am surprised that he can achieve such results with such limited resources. When I have the opportunity to come to Armenia, I would like to meet other filmmakers as well.
– I hope you will visit Armenia soon. There will be an opportunity to meet you and perhaps hold master classes, as students and those interested in cinema need this.
-In 2016, I taught at TUMO for a few weeks. The students were very smart. At that time, I was also teaching in the US, and those 16-year-olds were no less talented than my twenty-year-old students.
There are many talented young people in Armenia. My wife and I have established a scholarship with the Armenian Educational Foundation. Every year, we cover the cost of a four-year college education for one student in Armenia. We want Armenian talent to remain in Armenia.
– I wish you a wonderful day, Mr. Ohanian. Thank you once again for giving Armenpress your time.
-Thank you.