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Armenian Film's Dreamlike Journey Premieres at IFFI
20 Nov
Summary
- A spectral journey through Armenia's rugged highlands forms the film's narrative.
- Béla Tarr's mentorship profoundly influenced the director's aesthetic choices.
- The film explores themes of collective memory, displacement, and cultural loss.
Hayk Matevosyan's debut film, "Lullaby for the Mountains," is set to have its Asian premiere at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). This contemplative work unfolds as a spectral journey across Armenia's rugged highlands, presented in 15 dreamlike chapters. The film was shot entirely on location in Armenia and features a wordless narrative, emphasizing visual and auditory storytelling.
Executive produced by the renowned Hungarian filmmaker Béla Tarr, "Lullaby for the Mountains" delves into themes of collective memory, displacement, and cultural loss. Matevosyan describes the film as a meditation on the quiet traces of lives past and future. Tarr's mentorship, stemming from a Locarno Spring Academy residency, was instrumental, encouraging Matevosyan to embrace bold aesthetic choices and to view cinematic images akin to paintings.
The director, who holds a degree from UCLA and has a distinguished festival history, drew inspiration from Tarr's philosophy of liberation rather than strict education. This guidance empowered Matevosyan to create his debut feature without adhering to conventional cinematic rules, allowing the soundscape and visuals to carry the narrative independently, a decision influenced by Tarr's encouragement and visual prompts.
