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'VOYAGE TO AMASIA' PREMIERES ON CAPITOL HILL
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/08/15/voyage-to-amasia-premieres-on-capitol-hill/
By Lilly Torosyan // August 15, 2013
WASHINGTON-On July 24, Congressional Armenian Caucus co-chairman
Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) hosted the screening of the poignant
documentary film, "Voyage to Amasia," before a full-capacity crowd
in the U.S. Capitol.
A scene from the event
"Voyage to Amasia is a moving, heartfelt film that highlights both
the immense tragedy and intense courage still borne by the Armenian
people to this day," said Rep. Grimm. "As co-chair of the Congressional
Armenian Caucus, I salute this poignant visual piece for keeping the
deep wounds and salient legacy of the Armenian Genocide in the hearts
and minds of the world community. If we are to ever move forward and
learn from this awful tragedy, and do justice to the victims and their
descendants, we must never forget to commemorate and remember those
who were lost. 'Voyage to Amasia' stands as a shining example of that
noble endeavor, and I am proud to host its Congressional screening,"
he continued.
The film documents composer Hachikian's return to his ancestral
home of Amasia nearly 100 years after Ottoman soldiers deported
his grandmother, Helen Shushan, and her family during the Armenian
Genocide. Hachikian first learned about Amasia from his grandmother,
who told him she hoped to take him there someday. The film traces a
path through the past, exploring how the Armenian Genocide of nearly
a century ago, and Ankara's denial of truth and justice for this
atrocity, continue to strain the relationship between Armenians and
Turks. Inspired by one family's story, the filmmakers embark on their
own journey in the hopes of finding a greater understanding between
two peoples at odds over a still unpunished crime.
Director Randy Bell described his experience working on the film. "My
journey was obviously different than Eric's because, as a non-Armenian,
I felt none of the lingering family trauma that any Armenian must feel
visiting Turkey for the first time. However, I obviously understood and
sympathized with Eric's personal journey, and the Armenian Genocide
and the ongoing denial of it outrages me, as it should everyone. I
think this sympathy, combined with some intellectual distance from
the issue, allowed me to help Eric sort through his feelings and come
to a more nuanced understanding of Turkey today," Bell told the Weekly.
A pre-screening reception and the film viewing were followed by a
panel discussion, sponsored by the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA), featuring Hachikian and Bell.
"We want to thank Congressman Grimm for hosting the Capitol Hill
premiere of 'Voyage to Amasia,' and to express our appreciation to
Eric and Randy, the creators of this powerful film, for being on hand
to help share their insights with Congress and the Washington, D.C.
foreign policy community about the ongoing costs of the Armenian
Genocide," said Aram Hamparian, the ANCA's Executive Director.
The film was the winner for Best Documentary at the Pomegranate Film
Festival in 2011. It was also awarded Winner of the Jury Award at
the Alexandria Film Festival in 2012.
For more information about "Voyage to Amasia,"
visit http://www.voyagetoamasia.com. To view more
photos of the event, visit the ANCA's Facebook page
athttps://www.facebook.com/ancagrassroots/photos_stream. The film is
available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon. The soundtrack may be
downloaded from CD Baby.
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/08/15/voyage-to-amasia-premieres-on-capitol-hill/
By Lilly Torosyan // August 15, 2013
WASHINGTON-On July 24, Congressional Armenian Caucus co-chairman
Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) hosted the screening of the poignant
documentary film, "Voyage to Amasia," before a full-capacity crowd
in the U.S. Capitol.
A scene from the event
"Voyage to Amasia is a moving, heartfelt film that highlights both
the immense tragedy and intense courage still borne by the Armenian
people to this day," said Rep. Grimm. "As co-chair of the Congressional
Armenian Caucus, I salute this poignant visual piece for keeping the
deep wounds and salient legacy of the Armenian Genocide in the hearts
and minds of the world community. If we are to ever move forward and
learn from this awful tragedy, and do justice to the victims and their
descendants, we must never forget to commemorate and remember those
who were lost. 'Voyage to Amasia' stands as a shining example of that
noble endeavor, and I am proud to host its Congressional screening,"
he continued.
The film documents composer Hachikian's return to his ancestral
home of Amasia nearly 100 years after Ottoman soldiers deported
his grandmother, Helen Shushan, and her family during the Armenian
Genocide. Hachikian first learned about Amasia from his grandmother,
who told him she hoped to take him there someday. The film traces a
path through the past, exploring how the Armenian Genocide of nearly
a century ago, and Ankara's denial of truth and justice for this
atrocity, continue to strain the relationship between Armenians and
Turks. Inspired by one family's story, the filmmakers embark on their
own journey in the hopes of finding a greater understanding between
two peoples at odds over a still unpunished crime.
Director Randy Bell described his experience working on the film. "My
journey was obviously different than Eric's because, as a non-Armenian,
I felt none of the lingering family trauma that any Armenian must feel
visiting Turkey for the first time. However, I obviously understood and
sympathized with Eric's personal journey, and the Armenian Genocide
and the ongoing denial of it outrages me, as it should everyone. I
think this sympathy, combined with some intellectual distance from
the issue, allowed me to help Eric sort through his feelings and come
to a more nuanced understanding of Turkey today," Bell told the Weekly.
A pre-screening reception and the film viewing were followed by a
panel discussion, sponsored by the Armenian National Committee of
America (ANCA), featuring Hachikian and Bell.
"We want to thank Congressman Grimm for hosting the Capitol Hill
premiere of 'Voyage to Amasia,' and to express our appreciation to
Eric and Randy, the creators of this powerful film, for being on hand
to help share their insights with Congress and the Washington, D.C.
foreign policy community about the ongoing costs of the Armenian
Genocide," said Aram Hamparian, the ANCA's Executive Director.
The film was the winner for Best Documentary at the Pomegranate Film
Festival in 2011. It was also awarded Winner of the Jury Award at
the Alexandria Film Festival in 2012.
For more information about "Voyage to Amasia,"
visit http://www.voyagetoamasia.com. To view more
photos of the event, visit the ANCA's Facebook page
athttps://www.facebook.com/ancagrassroots/photos_stream. The film is
available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon. The soundtrack may be
downloaded from CD Baby.