Film shows effects of Armenian Genocide

By Benjamin Baxter
The Collegian

Knowledge of the Armenian Genocide and how it affects the Armenian community today is important.

That was the message from Canadian director Araz Artinian, who presented her latest film in a special screening at the Alice Peters Auditorium Friday.

Artinian’s movie, “The Genocide in Me,” is a documentary about the modern effects of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. It focuses on the views of those from Armenian descent, including her own views.

Artinian emphasized the importance of young Armenians learning about the genocide and realize it affects today’s Armenians.

She said her film could help illustrate how the events of the period remain relevant after almost a century.

“It’s tough to tell the new generation about what happened then,” Artinian said. “It is important to accept yourself as an individual, but it is also important to know where you come from.”

Among those who agreed was Gevork Aristakesyan, a senior history major and member of the Armenian Students Organization. “Any culture is important,” Aristakesyan said. “When we lose our identity, we don’t know who we are. Knowing our culture makes us complete.”

Others who viewed the film also had a positive response.

“It was one of the best documentaries I’ve seen about the genocide,” said Armenian Students Organization President Kristine Pogosyan. “Once you see the film, you can understand the situation today.”

She said she was impressed with the content of the film, and the amount of footage it contained.

The film uses Artinian’s family as an example of the personal struggle of Armenians facing the difficulty of keeping their culture while joining mainstream culture.

The film features an interview with her father, who at several points talks about the importance of keeping the language spoken exclusively in the homes of Armenian families.

This was one of the important points to Fresno State alumnus Mitchell Peters, who said he feels disjointed from the local Armenian culture.

“I’m full Armenian, and neither of my parents spoke the language,” Peters said. “I’ve only heard it from my older relatives.”

He said while he feels estranged from most Armenians because he does not speak the language, it does not detract from his national identity. “If anything I’m American, but I still think of myself as Armenian,” Peters said.

Armenian studies professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian said the response was very positive and is glad it was possible to show the documentary. “It was an extraordinary opportunity to have the director here to present her film,” Der Mugrdechian said.

Der Mugrdechian said the message was important enough and the response was so positive that it warrants a second showing, to be scheduled sometime during April.

The presentation was the first of a three-part series about the Armenian Genocide sponsored by the Fresno State Armenian Studies Program and the Armenian Students Organization.

The second of the series will also be in the Alice Peters Auditorium, and will feature James Reid, who will also speak regarding the Armenian Genocide. It is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

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