"Ararat", directed brilliantly by Atom Egoyan, is a film that will resonate with both parties that were involved in that long forgotten page of history that the world never seems to talk about. The sad story of that shameful incident is the basis of Mr. Egoyan's film.
The action takes place in a film that Edward Saroyan is filming about the genocide. At another level we see an Armenian historian, Ani, lecture about what really happened. Ani's son is in love with his step-sister, something that seems repugnant to the mother. Celia, the object of Raffi's love, keeps showing up wherever Ani speaks to shame her.
On another level, we see the how Raffi, having returned from a trip to Turkey is being interviewed by a Customs officer at the airport. We realize Raffi doesn't want to have the sealed film reels examined by the wise inspector. Their conversation go back and forth as one learns the truth.
This multi layered film has the rich texture only a director like Atom Egoyam could give it. He is at his best, as he clearly proves in his direction. Arsinee Khanjian, plays Ani with such fire that she smolders the screen any time one sees her. Ms. Khanjian is one of the best interpreters of her husband's work. Her expressive face shows what clearly is going in her mind at any given moment.
The rest of the cast responds well to the director's guidance. David Alpay, Christopher Plummer, Marie-Josee Croze, Elias Koteas, Eric Bogosian, Charles Aznavour and Bruce Greenwood, a veteran actor of some of Mr. Egoyan's films, do excellent acting in the film.
The only problem for most viewers seem to involve not having any background to the tumultuous time the film depicts, thus making it a bit unapproachable. "Ararat", like "Hotel Rwanda" and films that have captured the human suffering, is a film to treasure.
The action takes place in a film that Edward Saroyan is filming about the genocide. At another level we see an Armenian historian, Ani, lecture about what really happened. Ani's son is in love with his step-sister, something that seems repugnant to the mother. Celia, the object of Raffi's love, keeps showing up wherever Ani speaks to shame her.
On another level, we see the how Raffi, having returned from a trip to Turkey is being interviewed by a Customs officer at the airport. We realize Raffi doesn't want to have the sealed film reels examined by the wise inspector. Their conversation go back and forth as one learns the truth.
This multi layered film has the rich texture only a director like Atom Egoyam could give it. He is at his best, as he clearly proves in his direction. Arsinee Khanjian, plays Ani with such fire that she smolders the screen any time one sees her. Ms. Khanjian is one of the best interpreters of her husband's work. Her expressive face shows what clearly is going in her mind at any given moment.
The rest of the cast responds well to the director's guidance. David Alpay, Christopher Plummer, Marie-Josee Croze, Elias Koteas, Eric Bogosian, Charles Aznavour and Bruce Greenwood, a veteran actor of some of Mr. Egoyan's films, do excellent acting in the film.
The only problem for most viewers seem to involve not having any background to the tumultuous time the film depicts, thus making it a bit unapproachable. "Ararat", like "Hotel Rwanda" and films that have captured the human suffering, is a film to treasure.