
“1489” Unites Cultures: Director Shoghakat Vardanyan Meets with Armenian Community at West Lake IDF Film Festival
The Armenian documentary “1489” made its debut in China at the West Lake IDF Film Festival in Hangzhou on October 26 and 27. The location for this event is the China Academy of Art, situated at No. 352, Xiangshan Road, Zhuantang Town, Xihu District, Hangzhou. The film’s presence on this international stage underscores the significance of its message, which bridges cultural divides and resonates with audiences well beyond Armenia. Director Shoghakat Vardanyan attended the festival’s opening and engaged with members of the Armenian community in Hangzhou, fostering a sense of connection and cultural exchange.
It is noteworthy that “1489” received the prestigious top award for Best Film at the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA). The IDFA jury, in their commendation, described “1489” as “a film that acts as a piercing light, making visible the vast hidden interior landscape of grief and creating a tangible presence from unbearable absence.” Furthermore, the jury praised the film’s profound impact, characterizing it as a cinematic instrument of survival that encourages audiences to confront challenging realities that they may prefer to ignore.
