July 12, 2011 - 14:39 AMT
PHOTOSET
Golden Apricot: Goudsouzian's film discovers true meaning of Armenian identity

The creator of Armenian Exile film, director Hagop Goudsouzian shared his idea of national identity at news conference in Yerevan.

“In Armenian Exile, the main character looks for an answer to a question “what's a true Armenian”. Opinions differ, but to me – a true Armenian is one who really identifies himself as such,” the filmmaker said.

In 1988, Nagorno-Karabakh’s war for independence was in the headlines worldwide. Halfway across the world in Canada, Hagop Goudsouzian’s peaceful world was suddenly shaken: “I had forgotten I was Armenian, until I saw the courage of these people who had never forgotten who they were and knew what they had to do…” says Goudsouzian. Then, again in 1991, the independence of Armenia triggered a new beginning for Hagop Goudsouzian. At this point he embarked on his life’s most important adventure, to touch this mythical land in search of his roots. Armenian Exile travels with Goudsouzian for his first meeting with Armenia in search of the ultimate connection with his forgotten and sometimes ignored identity.

PHOTOSET