Armenian Short Films

How to Cross (from Jiliz to Jiliz) / Ինչպես անցնել (Ջիլիզից Ջիլիզ)

15 minutes |  Country: Armenia

Armenian with English subtitles

Director/Producer: Sona Kocharyan & Marine Kocharyan​ ​

An official border divides the village of Jiliz, with one side being in Armenia and the other in Georgia. Lousine, a young girl, dreams about uniting with her grandmother and relatives who live across the stream that divides the village.

Just what is a border?

Why does it take her such a long route to travel? She decides to take the journey to see her family and reflects on these questions.

SKHTORASHEN

18 minutes |  Country: Arstakh (Nagorno-Karabagh)

Armenian with English subtitles

Director/Producer: George Papoyan​

Skhtorashen, a village in the Martuni region in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic), has been deserted for more than 30 years.

This is the true life story of Lena, an 83-year-old mother who lives alone in her rural home, away from her sons who have moved to neighbouring cities to pursue their education. As a widow, she lives each day of her life with dignity and pride, refusing to abandon her home and erase the village off the map of Artsakh.

An enlightening documentary about the uncertain future of village life and the experiences of the elderly inhabitants who are often living alone in a precious part of the world.

Red Apples / Կարմիր Խնձորներ

15min | Country: Armenia | Georgia | USA

Armenian with English subtitles

Director:  George Sikharulidze

Writer / Producer:  Ophelia Harutyunyan

Filmmaker Ophelia Harutyunyan touches on one of the most taboo topics in Armenia today. A young Armenian bride’s relationship with her husband is put to the test the first day of their marriage when her mother-in-law interferes.

The Simon’s Way / Սիմօնի Ճամփան

35 min | Country: Armenia

Armenian with English subtitles

Director:  Edgar Baghdasaryan ​

Since 1993 the border between Armenia and Turkey is closed. The countries have no diplomatic or economic relations, road and rail links. But on the two sides of tightly closed borders, there are relatives living, who manage to communicate with each other only with help of writing on the big pieces of paper and looking at each other through binoculars. And then, one day, a message to come to the other side urgently is received. The old grandfather is dying and wants to pass him something. There are only 300 metres of the gorge tearing them apart, but to pass that 300 metres Simon has to overcome almost 11 000 kilometres. This is a tragicomic story about the influence of politics on human destinies.

Another Time (An Australian Production)

15 minutes |  Country: Australia

English

Director/Producer/actor: shant sarkissian​