There Was, There Was Not / Voices of resilience

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The first line of every Armenian fairy tale, There Was, There Was Not, tells the collective myth of a homeland lost forever – and four women’s resistance to that loss. The documentary follows these women living in the Republic of Artsakh, an unrecognized country dealing with the aftermath of a war. In the midst of this uncertainty, they build a life with the hope of making their home a better place. Through intimate scenes of daily routines, conversations, and quiet moments, we witness their everyday lives and deep connections to their homeland. When a new war breaks out, some remain and take part in the defense efforts while others leave, as the region undergoes significant upheaval and displacement. 

Trigger warning: Depictions of war and displacement.

Director: Emily Mkrtichian
Armenia, 2024
Armenian with English subtitles
93 min

Event

After the film, a pre-recorded Q&A with the film's director, Emily Mkrtichian, and one of the film's protagonists, Siranush Sargsyan, will be shown. Afterwards in Asta Bar, The Armenian choir, Komitas, will perform a short, intimate program. Lastly, refreshments are served while guests can browse handicrafts from Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR). Guests are also invited to reflect on the film's topics with questions developed in collaboration with Danish Cultural Institute. The event will be in English.

Trailer