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`Lost and Found' Seeks to Reunite Audiences with Armenian Culture
Arts | June 13, 2013 12:58 pm
By Gabriella Gage
Mirror-Spectator Staff
WATERTOWN - The creators of the recently released `Lost and Found in
Armenia' say they wanted to create more than just a film about
Armenians - they wanted to showcase current Armenian talent and
culture in the arts.
The film is the story of Bill (Jamie Kennedy), an American tourist and
son of a US Senator who vacations in Turkey trying to mend his broken
heart. After a strange parasailing accident, Bill unknowingly finds
himself in a small village in Armenia where he is accused of being a
Turkish spy. In a comedic series of events, Bill meets a beautiful
Armenian girl (Angela Sarafyan) who helps him navigate his plight.
The film's producer, Valerie McCaffrey grew up in Fresno's Armenian
community and her mother hails from Lowell, Mass. Prior to her work as
a producer, McCaffrey studied theater at the University of Hawaii
before graduating from California State University, Long Beach. She
worked for eight years a casting director for Universal Studios and
then as the vice president of casting at New Line Cinema. Her film
credits include films such as `American History X,' and she is
credited with discovering actors such as Jeremy Renner and Ellen Page.
The initial idea for the film began with actor Vachik Mangassarian,
who plays Josef in the film. After hearing the story concept,
McCaffrey said she was `sold.'
`I loved the whole thing,' she recalled. McCaffrey, together with
director Gor Kirakosian, worked to develop a sizzle reel for the film
to show potential investors and cast. From the buzz created by the
sizzle reel they were able to find the funding for the film, with much
of the investments coming from Armenia.
Fellow producer Maral Djerejian worked tirelessly with their team to
create a film that would appeal to a variety of audiences.
McCaffrey cast the film, in addition to developing the script and
helping to find investors. `We wanted an American actor [for Bill] who
would be perfect for bridging the audiences. I immediately thought of
Jamie,' said McCaffrey.
The team shot on location throughout villages in Armenia for six
weeks. They also filmed in San Diego for a week and a few days in Los
Angeles.
`We employed a lot of people [in Armenia.] We were able to use the
money invested by Armenia and put it back into the country when
filming.'
Four languages were spoken on set, including Georgian.
`Everybody worked as a family to get this done,' she said.
A few Turkish actors also participated in the film production. `This
is one of the first times Turkish and Armenian actors have worked
together on a film,' noted McCaffrey.
McCaffrey was proud to focus on the current artistic achievements of
talented Armenian actors and bring them to the attention of American
audiences. `There are so many talented Armenian actors who are devoted
to their art, but there aren't enough roles for them there,' said
McCaffrey.
This film does not focus on the Armenian Genocide or tragic events in
Armenia's history, but instead, is a light-hearted take on current
Armenian culture. One goal was to create a fun and accessible way for
those not familiar with the Armenian worldwide community to learn
about the culture and heritage. `It's [the film] is about who we are
as a people,' said McCaffrey. `We see a lot of our own family members
and people we know in these characters,' she added. `This American
character falls in love with Armenia and Armenian culture,' said
McCaffrey, adding that she hopes that it is a sentiment audiences will
share with `Bill.'
For lead actress Sarafyan, the film was also a homecoming. `Angela had
left Armenia at age 4. She came back to her homeland to shoot this
film. It was an emotional experience for her and we were so lucky to
have her as a part of it.'
According to McCaffrey, the film has sold out several screenings
including its weekend opening in Glendale. `The audience response has
been great so far. People are just loving it,' she said.
The film is currently playing at the following theaters: Pacific
Theaters Americana, Glendale; Laemmle Music Hall, Beverly Hills,
Calif.; Laemmle Town Center, Encino, Calif.; AMC Burbank 8, Burbank,
Calif.; Sierra Vista 16, Fresno/Clovis, Calif.; AMC Methuen, Methuen,
Mass.; AMC Forum, Detroit, Mich.; AMC Hamilton 24, Hamilton, NJ and
AMC Rio, Washington DC.
http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2013/06/13/lost-and-found-seeks-to-reunite-audiences-with-armenian-culture/
From: Baghdasarian
Arts | June 13, 2013 12:58 pm
By Gabriella Gage
Mirror-Spectator Staff
WATERTOWN - The creators of the recently released `Lost and Found in
Armenia' say they wanted to create more than just a film about
Armenians - they wanted to showcase current Armenian talent and
culture in the arts.
The film is the story of Bill (Jamie Kennedy), an American tourist and
son of a US Senator who vacations in Turkey trying to mend his broken
heart. After a strange parasailing accident, Bill unknowingly finds
himself in a small village in Armenia where he is accused of being a
Turkish spy. In a comedic series of events, Bill meets a beautiful
Armenian girl (Angela Sarafyan) who helps him navigate his plight.
The film's producer, Valerie McCaffrey grew up in Fresno's Armenian
community and her mother hails from Lowell, Mass. Prior to her work as
a producer, McCaffrey studied theater at the University of Hawaii
before graduating from California State University, Long Beach. She
worked for eight years a casting director for Universal Studios and
then as the vice president of casting at New Line Cinema. Her film
credits include films such as `American History X,' and she is
credited with discovering actors such as Jeremy Renner and Ellen Page.
The initial idea for the film began with actor Vachik Mangassarian,
who plays Josef in the film. After hearing the story concept,
McCaffrey said she was `sold.'
`I loved the whole thing,' she recalled. McCaffrey, together with
director Gor Kirakosian, worked to develop a sizzle reel for the film
to show potential investors and cast. From the buzz created by the
sizzle reel they were able to find the funding for the film, with much
of the investments coming from Armenia.
Fellow producer Maral Djerejian worked tirelessly with their team to
create a film that would appeal to a variety of audiences.
McCaffrey cast the film, in addition to developing the script and
helping to find investors. `We wanted an American actor [for Bill] who
would be perfect for bridging the audiences. I immediately thought of
Jamie,' said McCaffrey.
The team shot on location throughout villages in Armenia for six
weeks. They also filmed in San Diego for a week and a few days in Los
Angeles.
`We employed a lot of people [in Armenia.] We were able to use the
money invested by Armenia and put it back into the country when
filming.'
Four languages were spoken on set, including Georgian.
`Everybody worked as a family to get this done,' she said.
A few Turkish actors also participated in the film production. `This
is one of the first times Turkish and Armenian actors have worked
together on a film,' noted McCaffrey.
McCaffrey was proud to focus on the current artistic achievements of
talented Armenian actors and bring them to the attention of American
audiences. `There are so many talented Armenian actors who are devoted
to their art, but there aren't enough roles for them there,' said
McCaffrey.
This film does not focus on the Armenian Genocide or tragic events in
Armenia's history, but instead, is a light-hearted take on current
Armenian culture. One goal was to create a fun and accessible way for
those not familiar with the Armenian worldwide community to learn
about the culture and heritage. `It's [the film] is about who we are
as a people,' said McCaffrey. `We see a lot of our own family members
and people we know in these characters,' she added. `This American
character falls in love with Armenia and Armenian culture,' said
McCaffrey, adding that she hopes that it is a sentiment audiences will
share with `Bill.'
For lead actress Sarafyan, the film was also a homecoming. `Angela had
left Armenia at age 4. She came back to her homeland to shoot this
film. It was an emotional experience for her and we were so lucky to
have her as a part of it.'
According to McCaffrey, the film has sold out several screenings
including its weekend opening in Glendale. `The audience response has
been great so far. People are just loving it,' she said.
The film is currently playing at the following theaters: Pacific
Theaters Americana, Glendale; Laemmle Music Hall, Beverly Hills,
Calif.; Laemmle Town Center, Encino, Calif.; AMC Burbank 8, Burbank,
Calif.; Sierra Vista 16, Fresno/Clovis, Calif.; AMC Methuen, Methuen,
Mass.; AMC Forum, Detroit, Mich.; AMC Hamilton 24, Hamilton, NJ and
AMC Rio, Washington DC.
http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2013/06/13/lost-and-found-seeks-to-reunite-audiences-with-armenian-culture/
From: Baghdasarian