“I think that this is an exceptional festival for the country, especially during this difficult period. The ‘Golden Apricot’ International Film Festival provides an opportunity to present Armenia to the world and to bring in other cultures,” said world-famous Canadian-Armenian director Atom Egoyan during a conversation with Aravot.am at the special reception organized for the festival guests at the ‘Livingston’ restaurant by ‘Yeremyan Projects.’
“When I used to come to Armenia, everything was more stable. Now, unfortunately, these are difficult times, and everything is more emotional,” he added.
When asked by Aravot.am how he feels now, considering that he and his wife, Arsine Khanjian, supported the revolution, and during the tenure of the government that came to power with his support, Armenia experienced territorial losses and a difficult and vulnerable state, Egoyan responded, “After the war, there were elections. People participated and voted for the government. I accept the results of those elections.”
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Regarding the opening of the “Golden Apricot” film festival with his film “Seven Veils,” Egoyan mentioned that it is a tribute to great artists, particularly Richard Strauss, and the film is a unique reinterpretation of his opera “Salome.”
He noted that this is his second collaboration with Amanda Seyfried, who played Janine in the film, after “Chloe.” “We are living in very difficult times, and we understand that reality is not as we would like it to be. The heroine of the film is surrounded by seven different men from the past, present, and future, and she navigates it all in an incredibly unusual but strong way,” he explained.
When asked if he wants to see Vardges Surenyants’ painting “Salome” at the National Gallery of Armenia, Egoyan was delighted and said he would definitely like to see it.
In response to a journalist’s question about whether he still desires to buy a house in Armenia, Egoyan replied that he had tried twice but did not succeed. He added that he is happy to be in Armenia, especially during these days, and particularly enjoyed the tradition of sprinkling water during Vardavar. “It’s like being baptized with water,” he said.
Two-time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey was also present at the reception. He declined an interview, stating that a scheduled meeting with journalists was the preferred format for communication. However, the world-famous actor did not refuse anyone’s request for a selfie or photo with him.
Gohar Hakobyan
