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CHALDRANIAN'S 'VOICE OF SILENCE' SCREENED IN BOSTON
by Lilly Torosyan
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/02/12/chaldranians-voice-of-silence-screened-in-boston/
February 12, 2013
"Freedom is not about doing what you want; it's about not doing what
you don't want to do," Director Vigen Chaldranian explains. This
is how he introduced his newest film, "The Voice of Silence," to an
audience of nearly 100 people at the East Coast premiere last weekend.
The poster of the event Hamazkayin Boston and AGBU New England
Chapters presented "The Voice of Silence" at the Armenian Cultural
and Education Center (ACEC) in Watertown, Mass., following the West
Coast premiere in Los Angeles a couple of weeks before.
Based on a successful play-also written by Chaldranian-the film deals
with the identity struggles of an emigre, and his return to Armenia as
a successful, assimilated Hollywood director. Chaldranian also stars as
the lead, John, whom he considers to be his "alter ego" in real life.
After two decades away, John ventures to Armenia solely for the
purpose of shooting a movie. In scouting a location for the film,
he encounters an impassioned homeless woman named Jiji in a sand pit,
where most of the film takes place in long, dialogue-laden scenes.
Jiji's eccentric way of living life and her tragic background begin
to unravel a layer of John's conscience that he had not questioned for
years. As the film progresses, so does the struggle with his identity.
What was once a closed period in the director's life now leaves him
at a crossroads with his cultural identity. He must make the decision
of choosing between his head and his heart.
The film concludes with the viewer wondering if Jiji's character was
real. When asked, Chaldranian replied, "It's a matter of conscience."
The co-lead actress, Mariam Davtyan, shines in the role as Jiji. This
is her first feature-length film.
Chaldranian has made over 20 films in his 35-year career. The 2001
film, "Symphony of Silence," was submitted to the 74th Academy Awards
for Best Foreign Language Film.
"The Voice of Silence" is available for purchase on DVD.
by Lilly Torosyan
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/02/12/chaldranians-voice-of-silence-screened-in-boston/
February 12, 2013
"Freedom is not about doing what you want; it's about not doing what
you don't want to do," Director Vigen Chaldranian explains. This
is how he introduced his newest film, "The Voice of Silence," to an
audience of nearly 100 people at the East Coast premiere last weekend.
The poster of the event Hamazkayin Boston and AGBU New England
Chapters presented "The Voice of Silence" at the Armenian Cultural
and Education Center (ACEC) in Watertown, Mass., following the West
Coast premiere in Los Angeles a couple of weeks before.
Based on a successful play-also written by Chaldranian-the film deals
with the identity struggles of an emigre, and his return to Armenia as
a successful, assimilated Hollywood director. Chaldranian also stars as
the lead, John, whom he considers to be his "alter ego" in real life.
After two decades away, John ventures to Armenia solely for the
purpose of shooting a movie. In scouting a location for the film,
he encounters an impassioned homeless woman named Jiji in a sand pit,
where most of the film takes place in long, dialogue-laden scenes.
Jiji's eccentric way of living life and her tragic background begin
to unravel a layer of John's conscience that he had not questioned for
years. As the film progresses, so does the struggle with his identity.
What was once a closed period in the director's life now leaves him
at a crossroads with his cultural identity. He must make the decision
of choosing between his head and his heart.
The film concludes with the viewer wondering if Jiji's character was
real. When asked, Chaldranian replied, "It's a matter of conscience."
The co-lead actress, Mariam Davtyan, shines in the role as Jiji. This
is her first feature-length film.
Chaldranian has made over 20 films in his 35-year career. The 2001
film, "Symphony of Silence," was submitted to the 74th Academy Awards
for Best Foreign Language Film.
"The Voice of Silence" is available for purchase on DVD.