20 years ago, the French Sarah Clément-Cola was doing her master’s work about Atom Egoyan’s films, particularly, the “Calendar”.
When she traveled to Canada with a student exchange program, Quebec and Montreal, she met with Sylvie Béland, and it turned out that they both like Egoyan, particularly, his “Calendar” film, which arose in them an interest in Armenian art.
“We decided that we should ever to make this trip, and here we are,” says Sarah.
Sarah is a documentary filmmaker, and Sylvie is a professor of film at a college. They have come to Armenia not only to travel, but also film making, which may result in a documentary film. They have already been in Geghard, Garni, Noravank, Khor Virap, Harich, Sevan, Dilijan, Gyumri…
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Sylvie told that they are impressed by their visit to Arpeni village during the Folk Costumes festival. “We liked not only the festival, but the village greatly affected by the earthquake in 1988, where only 15 families are left.”
To my question of what in particular they liked in Armenia, Sylvie answered, “The churches and the people. We highly appreciate that people here approach us and want to tell their history, the history of Armenians. It is important for them that everyone knows the history that these people have passed, and it’s very exciting.” It was a surprise for Sarah that the French, who are very fond of traveling, love culture, art, and churches, do not visit Armenia.
“We have Aznavour, many renowned Armenian figures, we have a very good attitude to Armenia and Armenians, our president visits Armenia, but for no reason, the French do not perceive Armenia as a country where you can travel, there is culture here on every turn step,” says Sarah.
Sarah Clément-Cola
And Sylvie continues that in Canada, many people could not understand her desire to visit Armenia. “My friends who love to travel, including my Armenian-origin friends, were asking why I am going to Armenia. Many people do not know the history of Armenia, Armenia’s attractiveness, they have only heard about the genocide, some people know that Armenia is the first country adopting Christianity, it is a non-touristic post-Soviet country… but the stereotypes should be changed, and we will do everything for it, we will share our impressions.”
Sarah is telling that some of her friends, knowing that she is leaving for Armenia, were saying, be careful, pay attention on what you are wearing …
Sylvia says that no matter how strange it is, many people believe that Armenia is a Muslim country, where people should walk covered from head to toes. Sarah and Sylvie are saying that they have traveled a lot, but Armenia is the country for them, where they will definitely return. “It’s not every country that I want to come back again. Life is short, the world is huge, and you want to manage to see more. But, we realized that we want to come back to Armenia again, for a longer time.”
Sylvie Béland
To my questions of what you disliked here, both answered, “Frankly speaking, there is no such a thing. Maybe, if we stay here for a few months, we would find something that we do not like, but so far have not seen anything that we didn’t like. Everything is peaceful, quiet and easy, people are very willing, very hospitable, and everyone wants to help us. We liked Armenian food a lot. We also like people’s relationship. Wherever we go, we see people with families, we feel how they love one another, they love to be in beautiful places, near the churches, go for picnic, and have fun everywhere.” Sarah still has no idea what films she will be shooting about Armenia, but Sylvie prompts her the title, “Armenia’s voices.”
Sarah says, “When I return to France, and look at all my collected materials, listen to my recordings, then I will understand what this film will be. Initially, I was interested only in churches, but now it is different. I am not a journalist and I do not want to present the history of Armenia, I want to make a mix of today’s, yesterday’s and tomorrow’s Armenia, I want a lot of voices in the film. Now, I have an idea, to record ordinary people reciting a poem … I do not know, everything is still in the stage of development.”
Melania BARSEGHYAN
