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New York Times, NY
Jan 26 2007
A Loud Outcry Against Genocide
By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS
Published: January 25, 2007
Like Atom Egoyan's 2002 fiction film "Ararat," the documentary
"Screamers" takes as its jumping-off point the 1915 massacre of
Armenians by the Ottoman Turks. Unlike Mr. Egoyan, however, the
director Carla Garapedian has a wider agenda: to show how continued
refusal to acknowledge the genocide, by the United States and Britain
as well as by Turkey, has given governments all over the world
courage to instigate their own versions of ethnic cleansing.
Photo
"Serj Tankian with his grandfather, Stepan Haytayan in Screamers.
The relationship between denial of the Armenian tragedy and later
atrocities like the Holocaust, Rwanda and present-day Darfur remains
far from proven, but "Screamers" loses no power as a result of its
shaky argument. Focusing on the alternative metal band System of a
Down, whose members are descended from Armenian survivors, this
invigorating and articulate film unfolds at the sensitive
intersection of entertainment and politics. Interviewing fans, family
members and a wide range of public figures, Ms. Garapedian traces the
historical path of genocide and reveals the continuing success of the
band's attempts to raise awareness about global suffering.
Part rockumentary, part howl of outrage, "Screamers" would have
benefited from less concert film and more historical background.
Though the decibel level occasionally threatens to drown out the
movie's quieter voices, the harrowing reminiscences of the lead
singer Serj Tankian's grandfather, one of the few remaining Armenian
eyewitnesses, make the suffering personal. "This band just started to
make you ask questions," Mr. Tankian tells his audience. That would
seem a good place to start. JEANNETTE CATSOULIS
"Screamers" is rated R (Under 17 requires accompanying parent or
adult guardian). It has strong language and disturbing images of
genocide.
SCREAMERS
Opens today in New York, Chicago and Boston.
Directed by Carla Garapedian; in English and Armenian, with English
subtitles; conceived by Ms. Garapedian and Peter McAlevey; director
of photography, Charles Rose; edited by Bill Yahraus; score by Jeff
Atmajian; produced by Nick de Grunwald, Tim Swain, Ms. Garapedian and
Mr. McAlevey; released by MG2 Productions and Maya Releasing. In
Manhattan at the AMC Empire 25, 234 West 42nd Street at Eighth
Avenue. Running time: 89 minutes.
Featuring: System of a Down.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/25/movies/26 scream.html?ref=movies
Jan 26 2007
A Loud Outcry Against Genocide
By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS
Published: January 25, 2007
Like Atom Egoyan's 2002 fiction film "Ararat," the documentary
"Screamers" takes as its jumping-off point the 1915 massacre of
Armenians by the Ottoman Turks. Unlike Mr. Egoyan, however, the
director Carla Garapedian has a wider agenda: to show how continued
refusal to acknowledge the genocide, by the United States and Britain
as well as by Turkey, has given governments all over the world
courage to instigate their own versions of ethnic cleansing.
Photo
"Serj Tankian with his grandfather, Stepan Haytayan in Screamers.
The relationship between denial of the Armenian tragedy and later
atrocities like the Holocaust, Rwanda and present-day Darfur remains
far from proven, but "Screamers" loses no power as a result of its
shaky argument. Focusing on the alternative metal band System of a
Down, whose members are descended from Armenian survivors, this
invigorating and articulate film unfolds at the sensitive
intersection of entertainment and politics. Interviewing fans, family
members and a wide range of public figures, Ms. Garapedian traces the
historical path of genocide and reveals the continuing success of the
band's attempts to raise awareness about global suffering.
Part rockumentary, part howl of outrage, "Screamers" would have
benefited from less concert film and more historical background.
Though the decibel level occasionally threatens to drown out the
movie's quieter voices, the harrowing reminiscences of the lead
singer Serj Tankian's grandfather, one of the few remaining Armenian
eyewitnesses, make the suffering personal. "This band just started to
make you ask questions," Mr. Tankian tells his audience. That would
seem a good place to start. JEANNETTE CATSOULIS
"Screamers" is rated R (Under 17 requires accompanying parent or
adult guardian). It has strong language and disturbing images of
genocide.
SCREAMERS
Opens today in New York, Chicago and Boston.
Directed by Carla Garapedian; in English and Armenian, with English
subtitles; conceived by Ms. Garapedian and Peter McAlevey; director
of photography, Charles Rose; edited by Bill Yahraus; score by Jeff
Atmajian; produced by Nick de Grunwald, Tim Swain, Ms. Garapedian and
Mr. McAlevey; released by MG2 Productions and Maya Releasing. In
Manhattan at the AMC Empire 25, 234 West 42nd Street at Eighth
Avenue. Running time: 89 minutes.
Featuring: System of a Down.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/25/movies/26 scream.html?ref=movies