Berkeley University cancels Artsakh film under pressure![]() May 31, 2025 - 12:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A student-organized screening of the documentary “My sweet home” at the University of California, Berkeley, was canceled at the last moment, reportedly due to pressure from the Azerbaijani government. According to Ermenihaber, organizers condemned the decision as an attempt to silence Armenian voices on campus. They claim the cancellation was politically motivated, pointing to what they describe as external pressure from Azerbaijan’s government. Berkeley University, however, explained that the cancellation had no political grounds and was instead due to logistical constraints and staff shortages. The documentary, directed by Sarine Hayrapetyan, tells the story of an 11-year-old boy displaced from Artsakh during the 44-day war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. A similar screening scheduled for April 24 by Berkeley’s Armenian Studies program was also canceled. ![]() ![]() Ara Aivazian said Azerbaijan continues the traditions of Turkey after seizing territories and forced Armenians out. The creative crew of the Public TV had chosen 13-year-old Malena as a participant of this year's contest. She called on others to also suspend their accounts over the companies’ failure to tackle hate speech. Penderecki was known for his film scores, including for William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist”, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. ![]() ![]() Partner news | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |