Mel Gibson to visit Armenia for “East of Byzantium” filming arrangements

May 25, 2025 - 09:18 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Famous U.S. actor and director Mel Gibson will visit Armenia in 2012 over preparations for filming of “East of Byzantium: Fugitives and Warriors” based on “Vardanank” Armenian historical novel, President Serzh Sargsyan stated.

At the meeting with Armenian intellectual elite the President was asked to comment on the necessity of filming of a large-scale picture similar to “Schindler’s list” to commemorate Armenian Genocide’s 100th anniversary.

“I wouldn’t like for the Armenian nation to be known only through the Genocide. We are a nation of rich values. We were the first to adopt Christianity and it is the strength of our faith that must make us known worldwide,” the President stressed.

As the Armenian leader noted, preparations are in progress to start filming of the historical novel, with a major Armenian entrepreneur involved in a deal with Gibson having informed him accordingly.

Derenik Demirchyan’s “Vardanank” historical novel details the 450-451 AD rebellion of Armenians against Sassanid Persian Empire.