I have never had time to follow the “Golden Apricot” film festival screenings, but I am sure that this is an important cultural event, and in general, it’s beneficial to Armenia, since it’s our country’s honor. However, if we follow Facebook now, there can be an impression that “The Golden Apricot” and its only event is the problem whether to show films about sexual minorities or not. The supporters of “Armenian gene” and national liberation struggle see a serious battle here. And the extremely active defenders of LGBT seek for an opportunity to accuse our society of intolerance and to develop some “social activism” on that ground. Because if everything is fine, and sexual minorities in Armenia are not suppressed, then no one will need this uncompromising struggle, including European institutions. Between these two extremes there is a majority of our society, which is not particularly interested in this issue: well, maybe they will post several statuses “inspired by national spirit”, then they will forget. This is also a material for writing “alarming reports” to European institutions.
Personally, I’m for to show all the movies within the framework of the festival, while there are certain legal restrictions for cinemas and especially television. But the debate about this secondary, unimportant, non-urgent problem indicates about another, this time about a really troubling trend: Facebook is trying to assign such agendas to society which often shade vital issues. Whether they will show a film within the framework of the festival, or not, our economy, security, education, even culture and even the essential issues of cinema are definitely not conditioned by that. Several dozen people can create a Facebook “hit” out of any minor problem for a few days, after which the topic disappears from the arena, leaving no trace in people’s hearts and souls, except the unpleasant phrases that representatives of the two “camps” addressed to one another. It’s like an old anecdote: “I have found my coat, but since I suspected you in stealing, an unpleasant feeling of resentment towards you is left in my heart”.
Even reading this article, I think, people who hold extreme views will respond, while those who do not have any interest will be silent.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
