Tenth Annual Armenian Film Festival Attracts Large Audience

Hagop Ohanessian
Staff Writer

The Armenian Film Festival at Fresno State annually showcases films with an Armenian theme, concerning Armenian issues, or those that have been directed by Armenians around the country or around the world. This year, the Armenian Studies Program received numerous films that were evaluated and chosen for the 10th Annual Armenian Film Festival.

This year the Film Festival took place at 7:00PM on Friday, February 20, in the Industrial Technology Building, Room 101, on campus. The Festival is supported, in part, with funds from the University Student Union Diversity Awareness Program. Three films were featured: A Road Less Traveled: The Handjian Story directed by Denise Gentilini;Behind the Scenes: Featuring Gor directed by Alen Tarassians; and SF Hye directed by Gohar Barseghyan. She was in attendance to discuss her film and to answer any questions about the Armenian community in San Francisco. A capacity audience filled the theater.

The first film, A Road Less Traveled: The Handjian Story, is a documentary about the lives of Malvine and Kourken Handjian, who tell of their first-hand experiences as children witnessing the atrocities perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks upon the Armenians, from 1915-1923, and their own displacement during the “relocation” process. These experiences are part of what comes to be known as the Armenian Genocide and first genocide of the twentieth century. Most of the audience was saddened by the horrible actions committed by the Turks towards the Armenian population. It was almost unbearable to hear the stories of women being raped, of families forced to move out of their homes, and of the mass killings of the Armenians in different villages. Survivors of the Genocide are gradually passing away and it is this kind of film that helps educate people on the horrible events that took place in the early part of the century. It also motivates the younger generation of Armenians to fight for justice. Producer Gentilini is the granddaughter of Malvine and Kourken.

The second film, Behind the Scenes: Featuring Gor, presents a story told by singer/songwriter Gor Mkhitarian. The film is about his journey coming from Armenia and meeting various musicians in Los Angeles and forming a band. This film was entertaining for the audience because it portrayed a young band and their gradual success as musicians. There are four members in the band and they all work together to produce great music. Gor and his band have performed in various cities across the United States, including San Francisco, New York, Philadelphia, andLos Angeles.

The last film screened was SF Hye, which gave an insider view of the Armenian community of San Francisco. The film depicts a community, who bands together despite hardships, to achieve wonders. Director Gohar Barseghyan was born in Armenia and came to theUnited States in 2000. After living in Los Angeles for a few years, she and her family decided to move and eventually made her residence in San Francisco in 2003. She received her Masters degree in comparative literature and drama from San Francisco State University. She was motivated to make the documentary when she was asked about her native homeland. She wanted to explore the Armenian population living in San Francisco and what it meant for them being a San Francisco Hye (San Francisco Armenian).

Interestingly, Armenians first settled in San Francisco after first having lived in Fresno. Thousands of Armenians went to San Francisco for better employment opportunities and because of general interest in the area. The most important monument in San Francisco for Armenians is the Mount Davidson Cross, which represents the victims of the Armenian Genocide. The film outlined the six-year struggle by the Armenian community to purchase the Cross and to successfully light it once a year on April 24, the day of commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.

The 10th Annual Armenian Film Festival was a success and there was positive feedback from the audience. We hope to see you next year at the 11th Annual Armenian Film Festival!