Molorak Films
Archived pages to be used for purposes of historical reference
For a number of years this was the official site for Molorak Films. When the site's domain registration was not renewed, the site disappeared from the web. The new owners of the domain wanted the information about the Armenian poets and other artists that are featured here to remain visible on the web. More people should be aware of who they are and their contributions.
The content below is from the site's archived pages and other outside sources to be used for purposes of historical reference.
Kudos, Zohrab Ohanessian for all your hard work on the original site.
Poetry through video, & music
Welcome to Molorak Films Inc. 2008
In May, 2001 while walking on the Semiamoo beach, in northern Washington, my wife and I came up with an idea. Since I have always loved poetry and since many people are unaware of the wonderful genius talent of Armenian poets which I seemed to be reciting at all occasions, we decided to do something that would keep great poems of Armenian poets eternal and available to everyone. Then later tackle works of poets of various origins.
Theater, poetry, video production were part of my life and since I had been involved in preparing various video productions, we realized that the best way to preserve poems, is to film them, act out the story line, recite the poem, add special effects, music and include subtitles for all to understand.
When we got home, I got out our Canon XL-1 camcorder, gathered our friends, headed to Mercer Island and using the story board I had created, we filmed the entire project in one afternoon.
Molorak Films was thus created. Our next thing to do was to build a website through which we would make our productions available, and thus slowly began the creation of the website. At first I built it with my very minimal computer knowledge, until we came across a qualified website designer by the name of Vardan Hohannisyan.
Finally, we have added some staff members to make this an ongoing professional production company. Licensing was complete and now we are a full fledged Washington corporation.
When our first project "Darde Serdis," a poem by Avetik Issahakian was completed, we felt good to have created something so beautiful that we have watched the cd and video over and over again.
By the testimonials we have received, we realized we were on the right path to something wonderful and something beneficial to the whole world.
We decided to send copies of our cds to Armenian schools and churches all over the world.
We have just completed filming "Akhtamar". We had a wonderful crew and actors to work with. Inesse Manucharyan plays the role of "Tamar" and her husband Mushegh Malkhasyan plays the part of the young lad, so intimate scenes could be filmed. The co-stars, playing the part of the village youth, Alex Kocharov and Tigran Hayrapetian were extremely easy to work with. Also, this being shot in video and produced as slow-motion was much more entertaining.
Our strategy is to also make documentaries and short films with the hopes of making them available for sale so as to be able to fund our poetry projects.
Zohrab Ohanessian
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My side: When I was recreating this site, I mentioned to my mother who lives nearby in the Hart Heritage Estates, a Bel Air assisted living facility located close by to where I live in Maryland, if she were familiar with any Armenian poets or other Armenian artists. My mother is a poetry maven so I was interested in her input. I booted up her computer that she has in her room at the Hart Heritage Estates home for seniors. Her desk faces out towards the back of the facility that sits on 6.5 acres of park-like grounds. She always keeps a pair of binoculars near the window so she can check out the myriad birds and wild animals that live in the woodlands. She immediately mentioned Gorky, widely considered to be the Father of Abstract Expressionism. And she remembered Yousuf Karsh who migrated to Canada as a refugee from the Armenian Genocide in the early 1900's. Even I remember his iconic photograph of Winston Churchill taken in Ottawa during a visit by the Prime Minister in 1941. According to Wikipedia it was a breakthrough point in his 60-year career although he had taken numerous photos of known political leaders, men and women of arts and sciences throughout his career. Over 20 photos by Karsh appeared on the cover of Life magazine, she told me. I was astonished! However, as far as Armenian writers or poets, she only was aware of Gurgen Marhari and in particular his controversial novel, Burning Orchards, set in the Ottoman city of Van, Eastern Anatolia during the period leading up to the Armenian rebellion of 1915. However after looking at the poets listed on this site, she started doing research into their work. I was surprised and pleased that I could inspire her. As a result she can now rattle off a number of Armenian poets!
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ARTISTS
Great Poets of all walks of life.
Vahan Tekeyan
(1878-1948)
Avetik Issahakian
(1875-1957)
Komitas
(1869-1935)
Daniel Varoujan
(1884-1915)
Hovanes Toumanian
(1869-1923)
Nairi Zaryan
(1900-1969) Sayat Nova
(1712-1795)
Gevorg Emin
(1915)
Hamo Sahyan
(1914-1993)
Yeghishe Charents
(1897-1937)
Vahagn Davtian
(1922-1996)
Grigor Narekatsi
(951-1003)
Vahan Derian
(1885-1920)
Raphael Badkanian
(1830-1892)
Gourgen Mahari
(1903-1969)
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Art Tsaturian
Violinist
Tsaturian was born in Baku in the former Soviet Union. He began his musical studies at age eight and earned his Master's degree in music at the Armenian State Conservatory, where he studied with Hrachyo Bogdanian.
While in Russia, he played in several symphony and chamber orchestras as concertmaster. Tsaturian has performed in nearly every major city of the former Soviet Union, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kiev, and Yerevan.
He moved to Seattle, Washington, in 1992 and has appeared with the Seattle Symphony, Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, Northwest Symphonietta and Bellevue Philharmonic, he currently teaches at the Bellevue Music School. Tsaturian has also appeared with the 'Seattle Virtuosists' and recently as part of the trio 'New World' held a concert in commemoration of the September 11th ceremony.
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Komitas
(1869-1935)
Komitas is known as our greatest modern ethnomusicologist and composer. However, few people know that he has written a small number of exquisite poems.
Komitas (Soghomon Soghomonian) was born in 1869 to a poor family living in Kütahya (Turkey), whose members spoke only Turkish. A short while after being orphaned in 1881, he is noticed for his mental vivacity and beautiful voice, and sent to study at Echmiadzin. Very rapidly, he is attracted by the folksongs of neighboring Armenian villagers. He graduates from the Echmiadzin seminary in 1894, becomes a vardapet (doctor in theology) in 1896, continues his musical studies in Berlin (1896-9), then returns to Echmiadzin.
In 1910, he moves to Constantinople where he founds a choir and a music school. There, in 1912, he publishes a tract entitled "Armenians possess their own unique music." In 1919, broken and mentally ill, was brought to Paris, where he dies, in 1935, without ever fully recovering from his physical as well as spiritual ordeal.
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Avetik Issahakian
(1875-1957)
Avetik lssahakian was born in October of 1875 in a little village called 'Khazarabad,' in
(1875 - 1957)Armenia. He received his education at Eichmiadzin's Spiritual Academy, followed by studies at Leipzig and Zurich Universities in Europe, which included courses in history and literature.
lssahakian spent time in Paris, France and in 1934 returned to Armenia, where he played an active role in creating the Armenian Academy of Sciences. He was also nominated to the Chairmanship of the Armenian Writers.
Mr. lssahakian wrote numerous lyrics that dealt with themes of fatherland and of motherly love. Some of his works were, "Yerker oo Verker" (Songs and Wounds), "Abu Lalla Mahari," "Im Hogin" (My Soul), "Mayrigis" (To My Mother), "Gisher" (Night), "Goozes Linem" (You Want Me To Be), "Hayrenikits Heroo" (Away From My Fatherland), "Dariner Hedo" (Years Later).
Dozens of his poems were set to music. His works in Armenian were translated and published in English, Russian and many other languages.
lssahakian died in 1957 and was buried in Yerevan's Artist's Pavilion.
Darde Serdis ("Sorrow In My Heart")
Avetik Isahakian
With sorrow in my heart,
Poor and wretched,
Cane in hand, my head bare,
After many years of pilgrimage,
Once again I returned to my native land.
Life with its burden,
My back hunched,
My mind confused and wandering,
From seven hills and seven valleys,
I returned yet again to my native land.
At the entrance of the village,
I spied my childhood friend.
Ah! My dear friend,
With a longing heart I ran to him,
And said, "Greetings treasured friend!
Do you not remember me?"
Alas! I had changed a lot,
Sadly he could not remember me.
Cane in hand, I entered our village,
Passing along the home of my beloved,
There I saw my love, rose in hand,
Standing lonesome by her door.
I implored, "My love, your sweet
Countenance has forever enchanted me."
She too could not remember me,
I was poor and disheveled.
With a sorrowful heart,
I reached our home.
And came upon my aging, helpless mother.
I said, "Madame, I'm a traveling man,
Would you allow me
As your guest for the night?"
Ah! My precious mother,
She wrapped me in her embrace,
Held me close to her heart and cried,
"Oh! My dear gentle son, is that really you?"
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Daniel Varoujan
(1884-1915)
More then anyone else of their time, Siamanto and Varoujan verbalized the hopes of the Armenians at
the turn of the century. Using legends, old epics, and pagan history at the springboard and allegory for their aspirations, they waited for deliverance from oppression and the rebirth in Armenian arts. Varoujan had seen a great many wrongs in his young life. When he was a boy, his father had been falsely
accused and jailed in Istanbul, during the 1896 Turkish massacres. After Varoujan's schooling in Istanbul he studied in Venice and then at the University of Ghent in Belgium.
He taught, first in his native village near Sebastia, then in Istanbul as headmaster of an Armenian school. His firs book of poems, The Trembling, appeared in 1906. It was followed by The Heart of a Nation (1909), Pagan Songs (1912), and, after his death in 1915, Songs of Bread (1921).
Varoujan was among the first intellectual rounded up by the Turks before the 1915 massacre of the Armenian population, and was only 31 when he was murdered. Varoujan's work contains some of the richest, most sensual imagery in Armenian literature.
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Sayat Nova
(1712-1895)
Sayat Nova wrote his songs and poems equally welt in three languages: Armenian, Georgian, and Azerbaijani (a Turkic language). In his time he was the most celebrated poet of the Caucasus.
He was born in Tiflis and started out as a weaver. But he became a minstrel and for many years was the court troubadour of the Georgian king. Because of jealousies at court, his attacks on some clergy in his songs, and his love for a royal lady, tie was forced to take vows and become a monk.
In 1795 he was killed when Tiflis was invaded by the Persians.
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Hovannes Toumanian
(1869-1923)
Hovannes Toumanian was born on the 19th of February 1869, in a little village in Armenia.
He received his education in Tiflis, the cultural and political center of that era. He attended the Nersisian seminary but due to the death of his father, was forced to return to Armenia to care for his family.
At the young age of nineteen, Toumanian was married and in due time fathered ten children. In 1890, Toumanian's first collection of poems were published.
One of Toumanian's famous quotes was, "I always had the most important guide - my intuition." His creations had a common theme, that of attempting to emulate harmony. His four line verses were unique patterns of the heavenly power of the
human mind.
Toumanian created many fascinating fairy tales famous among which was "Kaj - Nazar." Well known poet Avetik Issahakian said of Toumanian, "His talent and role in the Armenian poetry, is like a mountain stream which gives travelers new powers and fresh breathe." Two of his works, "Anoush" and "Almast," were converted to operas, which are still showcased today.
Akhtamar
Hovhannes Toumanian
Into the moonlit waters of the sea of Van,
From the shores of a tiny hamlet,
Enters the water as thief in the night,
Each and every night a lad.
He enters the water without a boat,
With arms powerful and virile,
Parting the water he swims on,
Towards the island on the opposite shore.
From the dark island, clear and bright
A beaming light beckons him on,
A powerful beacon just for him,
To help guide him on his path.
The fair Tamar every night,
Prepares a fire on that isle,
And she awaits him impatiently,
In the dark bushes nearby.
The untame water crashes and roars,
And the lad's heart crashes along,
The water howls in frightful screams,
And fight it does menacingly.
Now Tamar, with her heart pounding,
Finally hears the sounds nearby,
The splashing of water and with all her being,
She's ablaze with love severe.
Silence, along the dark shore,
Stands a lone shadowy figure,
Alas! It's he, they find each other,
On this mysterious quiet night.
Only the waves of the sea of Van,
Now gently caress its shores,
Subsiding as they retreat,
Murmuring unintelligibly.
You may say they're whispering
And the stars arched above,
Glance down and slander away,
At impudent, shameless Tamar...
Their gaze disturbs the maiden's heart,
It's time to part...and once again,
One enters the turbulent sea,
Whilst the other prays on its shore...
Who might that daring young man be?
Intoxicated with his love,
His heart void of dread or fear,
He crosses the sea by night?
He swims from the opposite shore,
And our Tamar he does kiss,
Snatching a girl from our own hands,
What does he take us for?
Thus they spoke in bitter pain,
The young men of this island,
And Tamar's hand-lit light,
They extinguished this one night.
Bewildered in the darkened sea,
The swimmer lad, her beloved,
And the wind lifts and it carries,
His merciful sighs, "Ah! Tamar!"
His voice is near, in the deafening darkness,
Wedged between the jagged rocks,
Where the untamed water roars,
At times muffled and at times lost,
And at times feebly heard, "Ah! Tamar!"
At dawn the calm water floats in,
Upon the shore it leaves a corpse,
On his stiffened and frozen lips,
Perhaps you'd say at time of death,
Frozen were two words, "Ah! Tamar!"
For this reason since that day,
The island was named "AKHTAMAR."
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Avetik Issahakian
(1875 - 1957))
Avetik Issahakian was born in October of 1875 in a little village called 'Khazarabad,' in Armenia. He received his education at Eichmiadzin's Spiritual Academy, followed by studies at Leipzig and Zurich Universities in Europe, which included courses in history and literature.
Issahakian spent time in Paris, France and in 1934 returned to Armenia, where he played an active role in creating the Armenian Academy of Sciences. He was also nominated to the Chairmanship of the Armenian Writers.
Mr. Issahakian wrote numerous lyrics that dealt with themes of fatherland and of motherly love. Some of his works were, "Yerker oo Verker" (Songs and Wounds), "Abu Lalla Mahari," "Im Hogin" (My Soul), "Mayrigis" (To My Mother), "Gisher" (Night), "Goozes Linem" (You Want Me To Be), "Hayrenikits Heroo" (Away From My Fatherland), "Dariner Hedo" (Years Later).
Dozens of his poems were set to music. His works in Armenian were translated and published in English, Russian and many other languages.
Issahakian died in 1957 and was buried in Yerevan's Artist's Pavilion.
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Nairi Zaryan
(1900-1969)
Zarian, a contemporary of Charents, Mahari, and Pagounts was, like Mahari, a native of Van. After the massacres he spent his childhood in Yerevan orphanages. He continued his education at the Yerevan State University, graduating in 1927. After four years of editorial work he attended (1931 to 1933); the University of Leningrad. Then in Yerevan he became secretary of the Writers' Union. He published novels and plays in addition to several books of poetry.
Zarian was a tragic figure and may be called the last victim of the era of Stalin's cult of personality. All his life rumors circulated, neither proved nor completely disproved, accusing him of betraying fellow writers to the secret police. Ironically, his article, "The Dark Legend," which he felt would clear his name, was not published until the year of his death, and it was published in the Diaspora, in Beirut's Naiyiri Magazine.
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Grigor Khanjyan
(1926-2000)
926 – born in Yerevan. 1945 – graduated from art college, named after P.Terlemezian (Yerevan). 1951 – graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts and Drama (Yerevan). Repeated laureate of republican, all-union and international rewards.
Since 1961 – Honored Artist of Armenia. Since 1963 – Honored Art Worker of Armenia. Since 1967 – People’s Artist of Armenia. 1969 – was awarded USSR State Prize. Since 1973 – a full member of the Academy of Sciences for the USSR. Since 1982 – a corresponding member of the Academy of Science for Armenia. Since 1983 – People’s artist of the USSR. Was awarded State Prize of Armenia. Was engaged both in painting and graphics (Parisian, Italian, Spanish, Mexican series). Has illustrated a number of prices of the classic literature: H.Toumanin’s poem “Sakko from Lori”, “Davit of Sassun”, Kh.Abovian’s romance “Wounds of Armenia”, P.Sevak’s and G.Emin’s poems “The unceasing belfry” and “The Sassoun Dance”, etc. 1981 – made monumental multi-figured pasteboards for “Vardanank” and “Armenian alphabet” tapestries. 1990 – was elected a member of the Science Academy of Armenia.
2000 – died in Yerevan. Personal exhibitions: 1959 – Yerevan 1965 – Yerevan 1981 – Yerevan 1990 – USA (Michigan, California, New Jersey) 2006 – exhibition dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the artist (NGA, Yerevan) 2006 – “Academy” gallery, Yerevan The works are kept in Modern Art Museum (Yerevan), National Gallery of Armenia (Yerevan), funds of the Ministry of Culture for Armenia.
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Gerald Papasian
Born in Egypt of Armenian parents, Gerald Papasian comes from a well-known music family that founded the first major music stores, The Papasian Music Stores, including musical instruments, in the 1920's in Alexandria and later in Cairo.
His grandfather, Jules Papasian, was a well-known tuner and piano builder (Papasian pianos) whose services were solicited all-over the African continent and the Middle East, especially preceding major concerts. He was also a music impresario who invited such celebrity musicians as Alfred Cortot and others to give concerts in his concert halls in Egypt.
Gerald Papasian studied piano since the age of four under the tutelage of his great aunt Nevart Damadian, a graduate of the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris and a renowned piano teacher, working way into her eighties, at the Cairo Music Conservatoire.
Choosing to combine his love of theatre with his musical upbringing, Gerald Papasian dedicated his life to a career in theatre. He studied Directing and Acting (5-year MA. Diploma course) at the State Fine and Dramatic Arts Institute in Soviet Armenia. Internship during his studies included assistant directing at the National Opera of Armenia and later in Leningrad (St. Petersburg). And, his diploma work as a director was a TV production of G.B. Shaw's 'The Man of Destiny' with stars of the National Theatre of Armenia.
After graduating from Armenia, his US debut as a stage director was the Western World Premiere of the Opera 'Anoush' in 1981 at the Michigan Opera Theatre in his own English singing translation (Wayne State University Press -1981).
Gerald Papasian's international career has spanned over 20-years since his early teens in all areas of theatre such as directing, translating (published plays, poetry and librettos), adapting and performing in many languages (English, French and Armenian) world wide (Cairo, London, Los Angeles, Paris and world tours).
Gerald Papasian is an Honorary Member of the National Theatre of Armenia since 1992 and a recipient of the Drama Logue Award for performance and creation two years consecutively for 'Sojourn at Ararat', a performance piece based on poetry and music. His other awards include 'The Cinematographers' Union of Armenia' and the 'Theatre Union of Armenia' awards for creation and directing.
Gerald Papasian is the Founding Artistic Director of the Dikran Tchouhadjian Research Centre in Paris since 1997. He was the Artistic Director of the ATC-London from 1979-81 and the Artistic Director of the Ardavazd Theatre Company in Los Angeles from 1981-1985. He held the position of Artist-in-Residence and lecturer on Theatre at the University of La Verne from 1986-1991 and is currently guest lecturer at the University of Venice since 1990.
His most recent achievements in the world of opera include:
The restoration and editing of the original score of Dikran Tchouhadjian's opera 'Arshak II' (published in 26 volumes including full score, vocal score and separate instruments). The work had its World Premiere at the San Francisco Opera in September 2001 (see press acclaim).
Directing a new production of the Opera 'Anoush' for the 2001-2002 season at the Michigan Opera
Theatre (see press acclaim).
Directing a new chamber opera 'L'Amazone' in May 2002 in Courbevoie -France. The production was criotically acclaimed by Opera International.
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Assadour Guselian
Assadour Guzelian was born in Sovouk Olouk, Cilicia, on 14th May 1932. He was the fifth child of Garabed and Rahel Guzelian. In 1939 the family moved to Aleppo, Syria, where Assadour attended the Kilikian School, obtaining his diploma of primary education in 1948. He then studied for seven years at the Armenian Seminary of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon, from which he graduated in 1955. During the scholastic year 1955-56 Guzelian taught at Kilikian School in Aleppo.
1957 Assadour Guzelian was invited to Calcutta, India, to teach classical and modern Armenian, as well as Armenian literature and history at the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy, which was founded in 1821. In addition to his duties as a teacher, Guzelian, with the participation of members of the community, as well as students from the Armenian College and Davidian Girls School, established a choir and a theatrical group, gaving concerts and staging plays. Guzelian was also appointed the conductor of the Armenian Church choir. With the aim of revitalising the cultural life of the community he consented to become the secretary of Haikazian Cultural Society and delivered regular lectures on Armenian history and culture. The prestigious Asiatic Society of India invited Guzelian to become a member of the Society. On the occasion of the1600th Anniversary of the invention of the Armenian alphabet, Guzelian gave a lecture to the learned members of the society dedicated to St. Mesrop Mashtots (inventor of the alphabet) and 5th Century Armenian literature. Guzelian was also invited to become member of the Calcutta Music Club, where he delivered a number of lectures on Armenian music.
1957 Guzelian married Vivienne Alexy and the couples were later blessed with two daughters - Karine and Armine.
In 1963 Guzelian visited Armenia for the first time, as the guest of the Ministry of Education and stayed in the motherland for two months.
During the Soviet period Guzelian visited Armenia on four more occasions as the guest of the Committee for Cultural Relations with Armenians Abroad. Since independence he has been visiting Armenia, at least twice a year.
In 1964 Assadour Guzelian and his family settled in London, England. That same year in December he was appointed the Editor of "Aregak", an Armenian monthly published by Mr. Haik Galoustian, a well-known businessman from Iran.
Guzelian also edited the "London Armenian Monthly", which he published from 1974 to 1976.
In parallel with his journalistic work Guzelian became actively involved in the community's national, educational and cultural life as a member of the Cultural Committee of the Armenian House and secretary to the Armenian Community and Church Council.
A. Guzelian has written many articles, short stories, essays and poems, which have been published in the Armenian press worldwide. In 1960 "Sevan Press" published his first poem book entitled "Hamo Yev Fatile". Whilst In India, on the occasion of the birth centenary of Rabindranath Tagor, Guzelian wrote an extensive essay dedicated to the life and works of the great Indian writer, which was published in "Tsirani Goti" magazine In the United States.
For almost 30 years, in the U.K., Guzelian has been closely associated with the British media. He has given many interviews to the British press, television and radio regarding events and issues related to Armenia and the Armenians, including the genocide and Artsakh. 1988 when Armenia was devastated by the horrible earthquake, Guzelian held daily programs on radio and television with the aim of obtaining material and other forms of assistance for Armenia.
1977 Guzelian decided to go in to business and established his own commercial enterprise called Tevglow Ltd.
Guzelian has enjoyed personal friendship and correspondences with most of the Armenian writers, musicians, artists, scientists and national leaders of his time, such as Parouyr Sevak, Gevorg Emin, Hovhanness Shiraz, William Saroyan, Aram Khachatourian, Arno Babadjanyan, Alexander Haroutounian, Edward Mirzoyan, Pavel Lisitsian, Gohar Gasparian, Loucine Zakaryan, Victor Hambardzoumian to mention but few. Guzelian has probably been the only person to whom Aram Khachatourian - the great Armenian composer- has written in Armenian, which letters he has donated to the Aram Khachatourian Museum in Yerevan. Khachatourian was so impressed by the poem entitled "Amenayn Hayots Yerajisht", which Guzelian wrote in February 1977 and dedicated to him that on his return to Moscow he started to compose music based on the poem. Unfortunately the author of the "Sabre Dace" passed away in 1978 before completing the task.
Vivienne and Assadour Guzelian have three grand sons, Alexander (7), James (5+) and Michael (4). At present Guzelian's main hobby is "Tornikasiroutyoun"!
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Ara Baliozian
Writer
Ara Baliozian is one of the greatest Armenian contemporary writers, but unfortunately most Armenians do not know about him or his works. He has published close to 20 books over the last 20 years and is acclaimed highly by the foreign media, like Gosdan Zarian and Shahan Shahnour before him, which goes to prove that our anti-establishment writers are not rejected because of the literary quality of their works, but only because of their ideas and their criticism of the Armenian establishment.
Armenian papers used to publish his commentaries/book reviews, but lately he has been ignored by most of them (Armenian Life Weekly and New Life [Nor Gyank] which had been publishing his writings for years, among other papers, have been turning down his works lately). He is sixty years old, and lives in seclusion and poverty in Ontario, Canada.
"Armenian by ancestry, Canadian writer Ara Baliozian was born in Athens, Greece, and educated in Venice, Italy. Widely published in English and Armenian, he has been awarded many prizes and grants for his literary work. He is a regular to many publications in the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East.
His books include THE GREEK POETESS AND OTHER WRITINGS, ARMENIA OBSERVED: AN ANTHOLOGY, FRAGMENTED DREAMS: ARMENIANS IN DIASPORA, and the best-selling study THE ARMENIANS: THEIR HISTORY
AND CULTURE.
His translations of such Armenian classics as Krikor Zohrab, Zabel Yessayan, and Gosdan Zarian have been described as "valuable", "eloquent", "brilliant" contributions to world literature. He has himself been translated into French, German, Greek, Spanish, and Armenian."
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Nora Armani
Actress
Nora Armani plays Shakespeare, Shaw, Hammerstein, Molière, Tchekov, Guitry, Labiche, Fatima, Gallaire, Tewfik al Hakim, and has toured with SOJOURN AT ARARAT internationally in over 20 cities on four continents in its English and French (Le Chant D'Ararat) versions, together with her stage partner Gerald Papasian.
Nora Armani has interpreted lead roles in American, French, Czech, Armenian, Lebanese and Egyptian films on screen and on television. Between March 1991 and December 1993, she represented the Ministry of Culture of Armenia as a spokesperson for the promotion of Armenian cinema world wide.
The films she has produced have been seen in major film festivals such as Cannes 1996 (Official Selection- Un Certain Regard), Montreal, Rotterdam, Cairo, Portland, Washington, D.C. Cambridge, London, Inverness, Cardiff and Lancaster amongst others.
Nora Armani was invited to Cairo to play the lead role of Anna in the musical "The King and I" opposite Egyptian stage and TV star Mohamed Sobhi. The play was performed at Radio Theatre in downtown Cairo. It was also broadcast on Egyptian TV and Satellite TV. She had a successful run of "Nannto Nannto", a stage production of words and music of her own creation, in Paris at the Theatre des Dechargeurs. The play ran during the month of February 2000 and was later performed in Venice at the Santa Margherita Theatre, August 2000.
Nora Armani is the winner of several awards such as two "BEST ACTRESS" awards for Film & Stage Yerevan (Armenia) Festival-1991, the DRAMALOGUE AWARD for performance-1988- Los Angeles, the "Encore" DRAMALOGUE AWARD for performance-1989- Los Angeles, the CALIFORNIA MOTION PICTURE GOLDEN STAR award-1985-Los Angeles. She is an Honorary Member of the National Theatre of Armenia since 1992. Her most recent award was that of "Best
Actress" for her lead role in Labyrinth at the Siunik Film Festival. She holds M.Sc. from the University of London and a B.A in Sociology and Theatre (Acting and Directing) from the American University Cairo and UCLA (Los Angeles).
The PRESS about Nora Armani:
"…absolutely superb, exquisite and virtuoso performance..."
Dramalogue - Los Angeles - Steven Zeller
"… the deft, bedazzling Armani creates textured characters and substantial momentum."
Los Angeles Times - Ray Loynd
"…brilliantly performed by…Nora Armani, one is reminded that magic can still exist on the stage."
Herald Examiner - Los Angeles - Clifford Gallo
"…Moving… a long applause..."
Le Monde - Christophe Deshoulieres
"…The beautiful Nora Armani…"
Variety - Emmanuel Levi
"…knows how to blend her gorgeous voice and expertly trained body to create theatrical magic..."
LA Weekly - Pick of the Week - Tom Provenzano
"…gifted actor…"
The Boston Globe - Patti Hartigan
"…performance which stirs the imagination..."
Pasadena Weekly - John C. Mahoney
"…extraordinary and moving performance."
Daily Bruin - UCLA - Tony Tran
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Molorak Films Productions
Empty Bottles
Film By Zorro Ohanessian Currently in production
The true story of one man's struggle with pain and self concept.
Currently production has been stopped for Empty Bottles.
Current Project 2008
The current project being prepared is for the airlines which we hope to present to the various airline industry to see which would have an interest in our commercial. We will then add other commercials through animation to various industries. We are pursuing the preparation through animation for commercials to be made available for various industries. Later we shall post the commercial on our website for the public to view.
Akhtamar
Poem by Hovhannes Toumanian Completed September 2002.
The tragic love story of two lovers who meet secretly each night,which angers the local youth and cause the boy to drown in the rough waters. His body is found washed ashore the next day, and thus the island was named
'Akhtamar' in his honor.
Darde Serdis (Sorrow in my Heart) Poem by Avetik lssahakian Completed October 2003.
The pilgrim son returns after many years to his fatherland, only to find that he has been forgotten by his friend and his past love. His mother is the
only one who remembers, and welcomes him back with open arms.
Comments
Margueritte Wednesday, 29 April 2009 02:38 | Toronto, Canada
Loved it.
Hanna Wednesday, 31 December 2008 15:37 | Hamburg
Very cool site. Keep up the great work!
Levon Friday, 19 December 2008 05:12 | France
...beautiful landscape photography...
Loris Friday, 19 December 2008 05:11 | Boston College
Congratulations for your most worthy efforts in presenting to the world a unique art form that succeeds in highlighting what's admirable in the Armenian spirit.
Arno Friday, 19 December 2008 05:11 | California
I'm really happy that somebody is finally bringing our culture's poetry to life visually and aurally.
Gevork Friday, 19 December 2008 05:10 | Toronto, Canada
My brother, who is six years old, loved the film ... I would like to give your film two thumbs up ...
Assadour Friday, 19 December 2008 05:09 | London, England
Great is the work of art that touches the heart and the soul. 'Akhtamar' does exactly that.
Dr. Levon Friday, 19 December 2008 05:09 | Georgia, USA
This is the disc that every Armenian should not only keep in his library but be played often.
Daniel Friday, 19 December 2008 05:08 | Glendale, USA
The background music, color, the actors and the translation have complemented one another and congratulations once again for a job well done.
Mushegh Friday, 19 December 2008 05:07 | Seattle, USA
The feeling I had after watching your film was to bless God for giving to man the ability of creation.