15levels

Taken a year ago in Hayastan http://photography.15levels.com/fullsizeworks/armenia/oldyerevan.01.jpg http://photography.15levels.com/fullsizeworks/armenia/frommywindow.morning.jpg http://photography.15levels.com/fullsizeworks/organics/skies/rain-armenia.jpg

IHMO : Armenian citizenship should be granted by birth-right. If you have Armenian blood (at least on one side) or born in Armenia you should have the right to be the citizen. Thats how the law functions in the rest of the world, right? How is it that we are different (or should we be?)

Thanks a lot I am trying to get the essay published in Haaretz here in Israel. I hope they go for it. Audrey Selian did a great job on writting it. Unfortunately I havent got power to lobby in Israel, but it would be a good thing to push for something to be shown on TV the same days.... well, we wait and see.

For The Day of Remembrance - April 24th By Audrey Selian April 24th is an important day of remembrance. It marks a moment in history of a devastating human tragedy: the anniversary of the Genocide of 1.5 million Armenian people (~70% of total population at the time), a political 'strategy' inflicted by the "Young Turk" government of the Ottoman Empire in 1915. Genocide has been used repeatedly as the tool of states bent on political and social transformation, the de-humanization of victims seen as the first step toward successful implementation. This first Genocide of the 20th century, for many reasons, has been neither accepted by all nations, nor recalled as a lesson about the darker side of collective denial. That said, however, a growing number of countries and multinational organizations, including the European Parliament and Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, have recognized and reaffirmed the Armenian Genocide as historical fact. In the last several years alone, parliaments of Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Russia, Sweden and Switzerland have passed resolutions officially recognizing the Armenian Genocide. In 2000 and 2001, Pope John Paul II issued statements condemning the Armenian Genocide as a "prologue to horrors" that would follow in the 20th century, and the European Parliament renewed its calls on Turkey to publicly recognize the Genocide. The United States, home to over one million Armenians today - many of whom fled the Genocide, treats this subject with selective memory - plainly speaking - as a result of the strategic considerations of its longstanding relationship with Turkey. Interestingly, the U.S. has allegedly used the recognition of this tragic event as a 'bargaining chip' with Turkey (as reported last year this time in Turkish daily newspaper C umhuriyet), in the face of Turkish recalcitrance to join the coalition forces prior to last year's invasion of Iraq. (And if even half of this is true, it's already disturbing). Looking to the massacre of over 800,000 Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994, we ask - "how did this happen in our day and age?" Other examples abound - Cambodia, Bosnia. Genocide happens because it can. It happens because there are people willing to participate in it, stand by and watch it, and in some cases - to deny it ever happened. For those who are generally familiar with the historical background of the Armenian Genocide, it will be obvious why it elicits considerable tension between Turkish and Armenian people. In the past, I have found myself defending that which I believe to be historical truth. I've since realized that 'defending truth' to those who do not have the capacity to see it can be a circuitous and so metimes fruitless effort. Truth can admittedly have many faces, although I firmly believe that there is a line beyond which systematic extermination of over a million people can simply not be rationally denied. The realm beyond that line includes attempts to characterize this case as the byproduct of a 'civil war'. As far as I know from my past 10 years of exposure to international relations study in various institutions, civil war is usually something that occurs when both (if not more) embroiled sides are armed and fighting. Ample, objective (non-Armenian) historical references and news sources exist to prove that this was not what was happening in 1915. Certainly, anyone with a little time and inclination to utilize their access to the New York Times Online Archives can type in the word "Armenian", select a search criteria of 01/01/1915 through 12/01/1915, and just read for themselves what the overwhelming majority of articles say in that year. (Note: the word "Genocide", coined by Lemkin, did not exist before 1943.) Nevertheless, I have largely ceased to defend "my" version of history vs. "other" versions of history. Although I will add that it is curious that some of these "other" versions of history are referred to in mainstream literature as part of a category of "historical revisionism". Basically, I can only try to raise awareness. In a way, it ceases to matter whose 'story' one wants to accept. In the grand scheme of things, it is not the version of history or the number of lives lost that is any longer at issue on days like April 24th - I think it is more how such memorials can speak to that which is a lesson for all humanity. Acknowledged or not, there is a price to pay for those who perpetrate such crimes. And Turkey continues to pay that price, in part because it has a reputation vis-a-vis its human rights record that speaks for itself. If specific events are not acknowledged, then somewhere - patterns of behavior are. Though this may not translate to Genocide recognition as a matter of policy for all governments, I take comfort in the idea that simple acknowledgement need not necessarily start from the top-down. In an age of knowledge networks, knowledge creation, and dissemination - the realm of public opinion continues to grow in significance. It is perhaps less important whether one prefers one 'version' of an event to another, than to realize the problem of there being a dispute around the virtual annihiliation of an ethnically homogeneous population from specific geographical areas during a specific period of time. April 24th is an important day because it gives us an example of what we should not accept - an unacknowledged traged y and a historical failure of international cooperation. There have been and continue to be many such failures since the Genocide of the Armenians. And sadly, even Armenians are not inured to bloodshed along ethnic lines. This can be noted in the events (albeit noting the very clear distinctions between ethnic conflict and Genocide) that transpired in Khojaly in 1992, a conflict during which hundreds of Azeri civilians were reportedly killed by Karabagh Armenian forces. It can be noted also historically in some provinces of Anatolia as the Genocide unfolded, as Armenians fought in self-defense with the support of Russia. When the conditions are ripe, victims have the potential to become perpetrators - and cycles of violence are re-born. We see this phenomenon in so many contexts (other than in the manifestation of Genocide), that it becomes almost unnecessary to mention the most obvious one s. There is something that unites Turks, Armenians and the rest. Indeed, 'truth' may not lie necessarily for all people in the exact number, the exact locations, and the exact means of horrifying execution exercised in a process of ethnic extermination (though in and of themselves these details can never truly be compromised). Rather, I believe that days like April 24th should be a memorial to the catastrophic failures of Humanity. These failures unite all of us: whether we are related to the perpetrators, whether we are victims of the perpetrators, whether we bear witness, or whether we simply deny. In the case of the Armenian Genocide, April 24th makes reference to one of those failures: The actions of a Turkish government hell-bent on land and power in the early part of the 20th century as its 'millet' system for governance of minorities deteriorates, and the subsequent failur e of the international community to prevent what actually became the precedent for the successful extermination strategies of Adolf Hitler himself. Was it not Hitler, reassured by the un-learned lessons of history, who said, "Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?" Failures continue today to be manifested in different forms, morphing in and out of various institutions, political agendas, and international personalities. They are characterized by systematic denial and a lack of acknowledgment of what is a sad reality. Again and again, the political and the economic supersedes the human. History, it would seem, is intellectualized and academicized at a rather large cost. When one denies another their story of tragedy, particularly in the context of inextricably linked histories, hatred and fear thrive, and cooperation is destroyed before it can be born. It is no wo nder that some wounds never heal and are passed down from generation to generation. I am removed two full generations from the deserts of Der Zor, but the stories of the immense suffering and torture of my great-grandparents remain in me. The living memory of the survivors who are with us is an even more powerful force than the desire to preserve cultural cohesion. All of us can learn something from this. Why does this matter today? Turkey still stands in a position of power and has been regarded with considerable suspicion vis-à-vis her intentions toward the Kurdish populations living within Turkish borders. Turkey also stands on the verge of EU membership - and assuming one takes the most positive de facto facets of European identity - the question remains: should a state like Turkey with this unacknowledged blood on its hands be considered a part of Europe? A Europe in which o thers have been largely held accountable and paid penance for their deeds? If history is any indicator of the justification of suspicions about Turkey's eligibility and standing, then the story of the Armenian Genocide is vital. Can Armenians and Turks (as collective entities) ever get along? If perhaps we were to applaud together the efforts of those brave Turkish people who stood against ethnic lines to protect innocent human beings from being led to slaughter, common ground can be found. Many Turks helped to hide and save entire families before they could be marched off and slaughtered. These were heroes. Some, today, still stand up to the injustice of denial, to the reality of their history. If it were possible to celebrate the strength and humanity of those unique individuals who resisted violence, then we can encourage others - perhaps - to do the same. The political matur ity upon which this can be built is contingent first upon an acceptance of ownership and accountability. Then, there may be hope for disentangling ethnic violence and political agendas. And in separating the two, suffering can be looked at for what it was, what it has been, and what it should never be again. - Audrey Selian NOTES: The Turkish government today denies that there was an Armenian Genocide and claims that Armenians were only removed from an eastern "war zone", which consisted mainly of Erzerum, Bitlis and Van. The Genocide, however, occurred all over and across Anatolia (present-day Turkey). Deportations and killings occurred in the west, in and around Ismid (Izmit) and Broussa (Bursa); in the center, in and around Angora (Ankara); in the south-west, in and around Konia (Konya) and Adana (which is near the Mediterranean Sea); in the central portion of Anatolia, in and around Diyarbekir (Diyarbakir), Harpout (Harput), Marash, Sivas (Sepastia), Shabin Kara-Hissar (þebin Karahisar), and Ourfa (Urfa); and on the Black Sea coast, in and around Trebizond (Trabzon). (Source: Univ. of Michigan-Dearborn) Only one Turkish government, that of Damad Ferit ***** (after March 1919), has ever recognized the Armenia n Genocide. In fact, that Turkish government held war crimes trials and condemned to death the major leaders responsible, including Ismail Enver *****, Ahmed Cemal *****, Mehmed Talât Bey, and a host of others who were convicted by the Turkish court and condemned to death for "the extermination and destruction of the Armenians". It is interesting that the 'justice' doled out by those in the process of governmental reform in 1919 could not have served as a starting point from which Turkey could have constructively come to terms with the darker chapters of her history. As it is, a simple historical recognition may have cost far less than the accusations against Turkey's human rights record cost today - at least in the realm of public diplomacy and opinion. RECENT NEWS: New York Times Changes Policy on Armenian Genocide: The New York Times has recently revised its guidelines for editors regarding < BR>the Armenian genocide. The new policy notes, "After careful study of scholarly definitions of `genocide,' we have decided to accept the term in references to the Turks' mass destruction of Armenians in and around 1915." The guidelines continue, "The expression `Armenian genocide' may be used freely and should not be qualified with phrasing like `what Armenians call,' etc." The Times' new guidelines state that: "By most historical accounts, the Ottoman empire killed more than one million Armenians in a campaign of death and mass deportation aimed at eliminating the Armenian population throughout what is now Turkey." The memo notes, "While we may of course report Turkish denials on those occasions when they are relevant, we should not couple them with the historians' findings, as if they had equal weight." For more information contact: Peter Balakian, pbalakian@mail.colgate.edu; Robert Melson, me lson@polsci.purdue.edu; or Samantha Power, Samantha_Power@ ksg.harvard.edu. For More Information, a few links... : "The Accounts of Henry Morgenthau, American Ambassador to Turkey 1913-16", Link: http://www.cilicia.com/morgenthau/MorgenTC.htm "The Turkish Military Tribunal's Prosecution of the Authors of the Armenian Genocide: Four Major Court-Martial Series" by Vahakn N. Dadrian, Link: http://www.Genocide.am/ dadrian/content.htm "Remembering and Understanding the Armenian Genocide", by Rouben Paul Adalian, Link: http://www.Genocide.am/adalian/content.htm Khojaly: "Genocide Debate Complicates Search for Artsax Peace" by Clare Doyle, Link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insi...av030602a.shtml Commemoration in the New York Times - those who have recognized the Genocide: http://www.learntoquestion.com/data/sw1.gif, http://www.learntoquestion.com/data/swarmenian.gif "Critics Accuse Turkish Government of Manipulating Scholarship", Chronicle of Higher Education, by Amy Magaro Rubin, Link: http://www.learntoquestion.com/data/turk_s...gen_denial.html "Armenians say US Failed Them", by Fergal Keane, Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/corr...ent/2572667.stm "Bitter History of Armenian Genocide Row", by Chris Morris, Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1132336.stm "Turkey angry at US Armenian Genocide move", Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/monitorin...orts/939138.stm "The Psychological Satisfaction of Denials of the Holocaust or Other Genocides by Non-Extremists or Bigots, and Even by Known Scholars" by Israel W. Charny, Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Genocide; Executive Director of the Institute on the Holocaust and Genocide, Jerusalem; Professor of Psychology & Family Therapy, and Founder and Former Direc tor of the Program for Advanced Studies in Integrative Psychotherapy at the Dept. of Psychology & Martin Buber Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Link: http://www.ideajournal.com/articles.php?id=27 http://www.armeniangenocideposters.org/images/absolutdenial0.jpg

Here is the book in english in its entirety http://www.stgregoryofnarek.am/ Many thanks to Sara from Armenianhouse.org for posting this link. Enjoy it and pass it on. Officially, the book is online.

Thank you for the link. However I disagree with u regarding the translation, if its possible to translate grabar to russian (and there is a wonderful translation of Nareg to Russian), then why wouldnt it be possible with english (or in fact with any other language). And besides, its DONE already, the book is published and its sold in Yerevan.

I am looking for the english translation of Narek online, could it be someone has a link? I really appreciate any help.

I need to find some contact with Armenian priests in Bethlehem. Anyone can help? Please contact me at info@15levels.com if yes. Shad shnorhakal em nachapes.

If any experienced programmer / hacker is around, I would really appreciate if you get in touch with me, I get some signals that turks are planning to compromise our site at http://Armeniangenocideposters.org and I just wish to find out how easy will it be for them to do it. I have had some threats posted on the guestbook and I do have the IP of the poster, but tracert produced no result. I dont know what needs to be done, so I would appreciate some help with it. Many thanks in advance.

Thanks everyone for the feedback, I am always in process of re-evaluating my work, so I guess its going to change for the better next time. I am actually mostly pleased with http://finearts.15levels.com , I think I will re-think the others in the same format. Anyway, I am greatful you took time to visit and reply. Edward, we sent out about 50 letters to different funds and organizations, presenting the idea and ask for support in funding it. Lets wait and see if there is any chance of getting the money to make it. Best to everyone, Rouben

I have recently redesigned and updated my site: http://design.15levels.com http://photography.15levels.com http://finearts.15levels.com You are most welcome come visit. And I would love to hear what you think. Happy Holidays to everyone. Best, Rouben http://design.15levels.com/abstracts/fairytales-portrait.jpg http://finearts.15levels.com/images/studies/yerevan1993-nude-copy.jpg http://finearts.15levels.com/images/drawings/sketch-tree-rotschild.gif

Unbelievable! Swiss parliament recognises Armenian genocide The House of Representatives has voted to officially recognise as genocide the 1915 killings of Armenians at the hands of Turkey. http://www.nzz.ch/2003/12/16/english/page-synd4555597.html

No, it works on my side. It should be fine. I was making some changes, so perhaps thats why you couldnt access it. Domino, thanks for the suggestion, you are right of course, I already changed the text in the flash. Just reload. Its better now. "300 Seconds. To see it the way only a child could have seen."

Dear friends, I have finally completed the work on the website of the project. You are all welcome to come visit, we have already posted all the info there, including the written storyboard (which will change in near future) and the budget. The number we came about is around $25k for US production and around $17k for Armenian production. I would preffer to film it in Armenia but edit it in US or Europe. So if anyone knows of any small alternative short film production agency anywhere in those locations, please advice on their contact information. We are going to start looking for the money to make it. I am also working on the storyboard (drawn) so hopefully it will be ready after the holidays. I most welcome all the feedback, and please direct as many people as possible to the site. We need a strong PR effort if we want to find the funds to produce the film. ps. I came up with an idea to use "300 Seconds" - Perception is Reality (we will show it to you the way it happened). What do you think? The site is on http://ArmenianGenocidePosters.org/FILM/ Another written brief: The objective of our project is to create a short film depicting the specific experience of a child through the tragic and traumatic events of the Armenian Genocide. More specifically, this is a work geared toward simulating the stark sensory experience of a human being in a moment of overwhelming emotional and physical upheaval, captured from the unique perspective of a young girl (5-6 years old). It is important to state that this project is not aimed at portraying graphic scenes of violence in the midst of crimes against humanity; rather, it seeks to project a sophisticated and subtle approach to the study of human perspective. The overarching purpose is not just to finally create the cinematographic piece that speaks to all those for whom Armenian Genocide recognition, specifically, is an imperative, but to universalize the experience of one people – and one child – so as to render it accessible to the many millions who know nothing of it, given its time frame and surrounding politics. In an era in which there is ever-heightened sensibility to occurrences of human rights violations, and increasingly more accountability for human rights violators, such a visual piece could make a powerful impact – both through its brevity and its efficacy in conveying a reminder that what passes before the eyes of a child is rarely forgotten. After developing this concept, shooting the film (in one of two proposed locations), and editing it, our aim is to submit it to short film/human rights film festivals in the US and in Europe.

Yes, I think so very much. If they would, that would be the end of the conflict with Palestinians and significant reduction of Turkish influence on Israeli decisions regarding Armenia and the genocide. ps.. Just heard on Israeli news. Israel is going to cooperate with Russia developing a new attack helicopter for Turkey. Wow, thats terribly smart of the Russians.... disturbing stuff. As for Israel, anything, anything, just make more money....

Yes, I agree with most things you said Domino. I just want to make a distinction butween Jews in Diaspora (most of the time in favor of denial and revisionism) and Jews in Israel (most of time tired and indifferent toward anything which is not about themselves). Its quite paradoxal I would say, on one hand we have Holocaust in Israeli perception (if you ask here, most Israelis say "with all due respect, we have had it.. move on.."- I heard that from many people, mostly younger generation) and on the other- Holocaust as seen by the Jews from diaspora, who still face anti-semitism around the world. So in Israel they most likely not to feel that Armenian genocide threatens the importance of Holocaust, while in diaspora they support Turkish stance. Also we should state for the record that the absolute majority (well, almost) of the Jewish scholars of Genocide (and there are many) are quite clear on Armenian genocide issue. Those who deny it are paid to do so, and everyone knows by whom. I totally agree with you that Armenian genocide has all the references one need to examine how could genocide occur in the "modern" times. And we should make the most effort to make that clear to everyone- that in "modern" times it "began with Armenians...". By the way, did you hear what happened last time the Holocaust was commemorated in Israel? An Armenian girl was one who lighted the tourch, mentioned Armenian genocide, etc. There was a big article in the press, Turks protested and things went back to the way they were...

First of all, this is a very interesting thread. As an Armenian living currently in Tel Aviv, I watch news quite often and have a very good idea about the politics of the State of Israel, regarding Turkey and Armenia. So perhaps I can offer you some inside information on these issues. One thing is certain. Nothing is ever being said openly about the dark Turkish past (and present- in regard to the minority rights abuses) in Israel, apart from the academic circles. Now and then some mention of the Armenian genocide appear in the most progressive newspaper Haaretz and it seems that there is no question among the Israeli academia whether the genocide occurred or not. But political circles are not bothered with historical facts, and there is no consensus on this issue. Even the most respected Israeli public figures (like Peres) gladly kiss turkish arse when its needed. Though we know that once there was a real chance for a breakthrough when Yossi Beilin and Yossi Sarid came to occupy posts in the government but they didnt last long. (although it proved to us that there are still few man of principles in Israeli politics today). Since then the Israel's policy toward Armenian genocide (or the Armenian community in Jerusalem) can be discribed in one way- "if its useful to us we will talk about it, if not- its a dead thing". I wonder then the question of the division of Jerusalem butween the 2 states will come about, will they start worrying about making friends in the Armenian Quarter? I think it will be too late. So the bottom line is this. There is no adequacy butween the Israeli Academia and the Israeli Politics. There are very different people on those sides and there is nothing in common in their position on the Armenian genocide issue. Turkey is and will be publicized in Israel as "the Land of God" (according to the many banners on the streets and TV) and nothing will be said about the reality of it nor the discriminanation of Jews, Armenians or other minorities in the past and present. You cant make money on criticism, its just as simple as that (as immoral as it is)Thats about it. And lastly. There is NOTHING being said about Armenia in Israel except the occasional reasons to report on it when Israel meets Armenia in some football qualifier match. And I am not surprised, there is so much trouble here at the moment. Sad, sad, sad.... The last 2 generations of Israelis know nothing about Armenia or the Armenian genocide. How would they anyway? The school books teach history very selectivly, no mention of Armenians (not even in once), in any context (its a confirmed fact). The general ignorace is a direct result of the brainwashing methods of teaching history. I think there is a straight connection butween the apathy toward others and indifference to own faults and shortcomings. Perhaps the mistreatment of the Palestinians derives from the fact that Israel's teaches its children to care for noone but themselves. I wont overlook the fact that the general population here struggles to make the ends meet (nearly one in five - 1.321 million Israelis, including 618,000 children - lived below the poverty line in 2002) and the numbers are growing. It will be a correct statement to make if one said that Israel's policy toward its own people will bring about a generation of illeterate egomaniacs who will see nothing wrong in occupation or discrimination. Its a scary thought for me. Most Armenians immigrate from Israel to wherever they can, Canada, US or Europe. We can certainly say that if it goes in this rate and the situation detiorates further in few years we will have noone here except few monks. And who can blame them in this situation?

Steve, yes of course, I meant shallow DOF, my bad. The thing is that many of the shots will be reconstructed through special effects (today its possible to do it even in hyper-realistic way), and the rest will be shot using live actors. But you are right, I must work on the storyboard to have a good idea of what is involved in every scene. Thanks for the feedback.

Thanks THOTH. No, I dont have the equipment, thats why I need a producer. I want to deal with the creative part only (photography, direction/art direction) therefore I want to pay to a company to take care of the rest (isnt that what they are for?). As for locations, its not as important, the scenery we need can be found anywhere actually. Most of the scenes are outdoors. Please keep in mind the specifics of this film. Its not a regular one. Most of the shots will be composed of big DOF and with focus only on the parts which help focus on the sensory experience. I believe a lot of time will be spend in post-production. I dont think we need professional actors in this film. We will probably use some special effects which will compensate for certain things. I want to find a producer who I can present the proposal and ask for a detailed breakdown of pricing. Location is irrelevant, I am willing to travel to wherever is convinient to shoot the film. The media is DV. We are not going to shoot it on film. It will make post-production more convinient and cheaper. Does this help? I think from the original proposal one can get an idea of what is necessary for the production. Its detailed enough. The only thing left is actually to show it to a pro and get pricing. Someone in the film industry (LA) said it will be around 50-70$k, which seems a little too much. Does that make sense for 5 minute film?

I would like to ask if anyone can offer any help with creating a budget for this project. We need to know the estimate costs, so if anyone has any experience, please talk to me in private about it. Really need some feedback. Hope someone replies. Also, we are looking for a film company/production house who might be suitable for such project, small, alternative, highly professional. Would appreciate any suggestions.

Stormy, actually I was thinking about creating few versions of the film, perhaps one without the text in the end. First and foremost task is to have a breakdown on how much would such production cost (working on it right now), find the funding, find a producer (must be a production house with experience and willingness to work on alternative sort of projects- if you happen to know one please do let me know) and start shooting the footage. I think once I have the material I need, then hours of editing will probably create few versions, which we will certainly test with different audience, Armenian and non-Armenian, but eventually will release the best one. I think that would be fair. There is of course a lot of discussion on this film and I am open to all sort of ideas, but I have a very clear vision in my mind, which I want to accomplish. Another important factor. There will be no soundtrack/voiceover whatsoever. Only the ambient sounds. The real study of the emotional nightmare in its most details, on textural, ambient, sometimes in extreme close-up mode with deliberately taking parts out the scene out of focus. I will use one example to illustrate my point. Imagine a scene such as: in the frame you see a glass with water on a table. On the background is slight out of focus - an act of sexual violence. Its out of focus. We dont see faces. But we loudly hear the noise, the screams, the sounds of struggle. Its enough for us to understand clearly what is happening. We dont need faces in this case. So the focus is on sensory experience.

First of all thank you for your comments and suggestions. I have a lot of thinking to do on this and your feedback gave me some food for it! I just want to emphasise the basic idea of this film which is suppose to make it different from everything we have seen so far about AG. 1. Its about one person tragedy which illustrates the collective experience. Its what happened to her and we see it through her eyes. 2. The whole thing should be filmed as if it happens in real-time. Thats what will make it painfully real. 3. The purpose is not to create a propoganda movie but instead to let people see the genocide through the eyes of a child and connect to it on the emotional level. I dont have any intention to go beyound short film, nor have any means to produce something which is far more complicated in sense of cast/screenplay/etc. I want to make a short, very short film which will strike like a thunder and have superb filming/editing technique and when i mentioned "documentary" style, I only intented to the present an idea of things which are happening in real-time even if the reality they happened 90 years ago. The last scene when I show the old woman and make the connection to the child which experienced the whole thing and survived will not be any different in visual way from the rest. I don't think I want to play the difference butween then and now by changing the color, its too trivial. The whole thing will be black&white. I am not affraid of having some parts "vague", thats the intent, through the editing and using special techniques I want to reconstruct the "reality" but everything will be put on place in the end when in simple words we will tell that what you just saw was one of it 1.5 million (or so) and it resulted in almost complete annihilation. In a way, yes, I want this to be very graphic, graphic in motion, and it is based on the concept of poster, because we have a story (an image) and a conclusion (text). Just like I said, for me the interesting part is that very sensory experience which I mentioned in the original post. Thats what will make it stand out from the rest, because we have never had a movie about AG which showed it as seen by a witness/survivor. We always have them telling us how it was. Now I want to us to feel it. I will give more thought to it. Some many questions in my head. So I thank you much for your inputs and by all means, please lets continue this fruitful exchange of thoughts. Rouben

Stormy, some important points in your post. Since I want to keep the focus on the human experience the distruction of the cultural monuments could be a part of the scene when the looting of the village takes place ( the burning of the local church, etc). It could also include a scene of the emtpy village after the "evacuation" with the smoke rising over the Armenian houses and the ruins of the church on the background. It would be quite important to create a connection about German involvment however I am not so sure how to do it. I think we should stick as close as possible to the historical realities of the genocide. The fact is that Germans did not take part in the executions, rather commanded the genocide from the top, being at the head of turkish military command. We could think about how to create the connection, in the frameset of the script. Any ideas? Thanks for the input!

Dear friends, Please review this post and give me your suggestions and feedback, this project is in the early stages of development and any input is highly important to me. I would very much like to know what you think of it, what would be useful to add, what possible scenes would convey more powerful messages. Please note that the film has a specific focus- so please read the proposal carefully. The DOC file is available here. Best, Rouben ps. If you'd like to send your suggestions directly to me please don't hesitate to write to info@ArmenianGenocidePosters.org Proposal Document - A short film on the Armenian Genocide By ROUBEN MALAYAN Creator of ArmenianGenocidePosters.org Objective: The following is a proposal for a short film geared toward a unique conceptualization of the experience of a child in the midst of genocide. The objective is to capture and expand upon existing interpretations of a person’s sensory experience in the midst of gross human rights violations. Setting: On the eastern territories of Ottoman Turkey, morning in late April, 1915 Time duration: 3 to 5 minutes Description: This will be a short film shot in "documentary style", and based entirely upon the experiences of an Armenian child in the Ottoman Empire during the Genocide in the Spring of 1915. The film will be a composed of 10-12 short sequences (10 to 20 seconds) of a number of scenes, with transitional fades to black from image to image. Each sequence will be filmed in a way that depicts the events as seen through the eyes of a child. Images will thus be shot from a low angle, several degrees below the average eye range of an adult. Graphic images of rape and murder will be avoided, and focus will be rather upon developing methods of portraying sound and visual stimuli that can capture human experience in sub-human conditions. The film will be edited with cutting-edge technology so as to attempt to re-create an atmosphere of a time and place that has rarely been very convincingly portrayed on film. The goal is to find a subtle way of displaying the brutality with which the Armenians were subjected to extermination, and to convey this in a way that can open a channel through which every person who watches it can relate. There must be no feeling that one is watching a movie. The film should project the feeling of sharing the experience of a real-time event, as seen and experienced by a child. Remarks: · All footage will be shot in black & white. · Aside from the introductory scene, no faces will be shown. The impact of the sensory experience is to be predicated on the notion of anonymity, thereby making the piece something that can be universalized, similar to other human rights’ film documentary pieces. · There must be seamless integration of existing (archival) photo documents into the ‘live’ footage. · An underlying principle to the piece is the notion that “perception is reality”, and therefore the creation of a very well executed short film piece capturing these exact perceptions can lend to a greater appreciation of this historical reality. This is an attempt to re-construct the reality of a historical event (that has repeated itself and proven to be the first in a long line of similar ones) so compelling, that the historical context almost fades away, leaving behind a only the sense of human agony. Proposed Sequence Sample of Events: 1) Short introductory cuts of sunrise over the village / house (capturing the ambience as if in a child's dream; conveying feelings of peace, calm, love). Fade to black. 2) Cut image to a child sleeping in a bed (close-up of closed eyes, calm breathing, wind through soft curtains of open window, sleep, offset only by the muffled sound of parents speaking in the background, in Armenian, in hushed and worried tones). Fade to black. 3) Sharp cut to first contact with Turkish soldiers entering the house. Sudden volume escalation: sounds of panic, screams. (Shadowy images of a tall man, the father, being taken away, muffled sounds of mother’s anguish, followed by distinctly loud sounds of gunshots). Fade to black. 4) Focus on the close-up of a child’s last contact with mother's hands (followed by child’s desperate view on images of feminine figure in long skirts, long hair – as she is taken away). Fade to black. 5) Move to shot of a group scene from low angle – the blurry figures and forms of Armenian men, women, and children surrounded by horsemen (panning from a background with following reference points: a close-up of the feet of a hanged man, and burning, looted homes). Fade to black. 6) Camera shot of small running feet through fields of patchy grass and lots of dirt, overpowering sound of heavy breathing depicting the attempt at escape (chased by machete-wielding figure on a horse, distinct sound of muttered Turkish expletives...). Fade to black. 7) Volume augmentation: continued breathing and camera focus on running, followed by the sound of some form of closure... of a body falling onto a patch of ground. Fade to black. 8) Camera turn to capture the ‘caravans of death’ in distance, as if to re-capture the initial introductory shots of the sunrise over the village. Film detail to convey the incongruity, the incredulity of a child coming to grips with this reality (in what was previously a ‘safe’ reality). Fade to black. 9) Camera zoom from child’s perspective, looking up to adults, and begging for water. Close-up of bare feet bleeding from the stones of the desert, and sense of 180 degree camera movement, capturing people falling and collapsing from exposure, hunger and wounds. Fade to black. 10) Conclusion: a. Close-up of the trembling hands of a very old woman (close look at texture of skin, perhaps with focus on what may been a distinctive skin marking or symbol of sorts). Power of suggestion and reference that this is the child who survived the massacres and the deportations. Fade to black b. Camera movement up, to dark, silent deep eyes that can’t cry. Fade to black. http://www.armeniangenocideposters.org/film/genocidesurvivor.jpg Closing screen shots: Black background - fade in/out several times, as if making attempting to reconcile those images with reality, as if eyes are blinking several times to clear the field of vision. Then, text flashes: The genocide perpetrated in 1915 against the Armenian citizens of Ottoman Empire was the first systematic attempt in modern times to bring about the complete, deliberate extermination of a nation. The death toll over the years from 1915 to 1923 was more than 1.5 million. 1942 - The deportation of Jews to Auschwitz, a ‘work camp’ located in Poland. Result: Holocaust. 6 million lost 1975 – The rule of Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot, Cambodia. Result: Genocide. 1 million lost 1994 – Rwandans rounded up and Hutu/Tutsi killings began. Result: Genocide. 250 thousand lost (check this number) Recognize the Armenian Genocide of 1915. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Credits: creators & sponsors. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Note: Armenians have long anticipated a movie about the genocide, which would bring the subject of this ‘forgotten genocide’ into the spotlight, and make people relate in a personal way to the tragedy of the Armenian nation as they have related to the Jewish Holocaust. This has, as yet, not been accomplished by previous pieces of work treating the subject matter. By making this film we want undertake an alternative study of the intense emotional and psychological trauma of a real event, that has the capacity to takes its viewer back to a morning in April 1915. Release notes: The film can be submitted to various short film festivals, be submitted for screenings on television channels, participate in the annual Genocide commemoration events and be presented on the web to the wider audience thus promoting the recognition efforts worldwide.

A President's Resume' The White House, USA GEORGE W. BUSH ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS PRESIDENT: I attacked and took over two countries. I spent the U.S. surplus and bankrupted the US Treasury. I shattered the record for the biggest annual deficit in history (not easy!). I set an economic record for the most personal bankruptcies filed in any 12 month period. I set all-time record for the biggest drop in the history of the stock market. I am the first president in decades to execute a federal prisoner. I am the first president in US history to enter office with a criminal record. In my first year in office I set the all-time record for most days on vacation by any president in US history (tough to beat my dad's, but I did). After taking the entire month of August off for vacation, I presided over the worst security failure in US history. I set the record for most campaign fund raising trips by any president in US history. In my first two years in office over 2 million Americans lost their job. I cut unemployment benefits for more out-of-work Americans than any other president in US history. I set the all-time record for most real estate foreclosures in a 12-month period. I appointed more convicted criminals to administration positions than any president in US history. I set the record for the fewest press conferences of any president, since the advent of TV. I signed more laws and executive orders amending the Constitution than any other US president in history. I presided over the biggest energy crises in US history and refused to intervene when corruption was revealed. I cut health care benefits for war veterans. I set the all-time record for most people worldwide to simultaneously take to the streets to protest me (15 million people), shattering the record for protest against any person in the history of mankind. I dissolved more international treaties than any president in US History. I've made my presidency the most secretive and unaccountable of any in US history. Members of my cabinet are the richest of any administration in US history. (The poorest multimillionaire, Condoleeza Rice, has a Chevron Oil tanker named after her). I am the first president in US history to have all 50 states of the Union simultaneously struggle against bankruptcy. I presided over the biggest corporate stock market fraud in any market in any country in the history of the world. I am the first president in US history to order a US attack and military occupation of a sovereign nation, and I did so against the will ofthe United Nations and the vast majority of the international community. I have created the largest government department bureaucracy in the history of the United States, called the "Bureau of Homeland Security"(only one letter away from BS). I set the all-time record for biggest annual budget spending increases, more than any other president in US history (Ronnie was tough to beat, but I did it!!). I am the first president in US history to compel the United Nations remove the US from the Human Rights Commission. I am the first president in US history to have the United Nations remove the US from the Elections Monitoring Board. I removed more checks and balances, and have the least amount of congressional oversight than any presidential administration in US history. I rendered the entire United Nations irrelevant. I withdrew from the World Court of Law. I refused to allow inspectors access to US prisoners of war and by default no longer abide by the Geneva Conventions. I am the first president in US history to refuse United Nations election inspectors access during the 2002 US elections. I am the all-time US (and world) record holder for most corporate campaign donations. The biggest lifetime contributor to my campaign, who is also one of my best friends, presided over one of the largest corporate bankruptcy frauds in world history (Kenneth Lay, former CEO of Enron Corporation). I spent more money on polls and focus groups than any president in US history. I am the first president to run and hide when the US came under attack (and then lied,saying the enemy had the code to Air Force 1) I am the first US president to establish a secret shadow government. I took the world's sympathy for the US after 9/11,and in less than a year made the US the most resented country in the world (possibly the biggest diplomatic failure in US and world history). I am the first US president in history to have a majority of the people of Europe (71%) view my presidency as the biggest threat to world peace and stability. I changed US policy to allow convicted criminals to be awarded government contracts. I set the all-time record for the number of administration appointees who violated US law by not selling their huge investments in Corporations bidding for gov't contracts. I have removed more freedoms and civil liberties for Americans than any other president in US history. In a little over two years, I have created the most divided country in decades, possibly the most divided that the US has been since the Civil War. I entered office with the strongest economy in US history and in less than two years turned every single economic category heading straight down. RECORDS AND REFERENCES: I have at least one conviction for drunk driving in Maine (Texas driving record has been erased and is not available). I was AWOL from the National Guard and deserted the military during time of war. I refuse to take a drug test or even answer any questions about drug use. All records of my tenure as governor of Texas have been spirited away to my fathers library, sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public view. All records of any SEC investigations into my insider trading or bankrupt companies are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public view. All minutes of meetings of any public corporation for which I served on the board are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public view. Any records or minutes from meetings I (or my VP)attended regarding public energy policy are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public review. PERSONAL REFERENCES: For personal references, please speak to my dad or Uncle James Baker (They can be reached in their offices at the Carlyle Group where they Are helping to divide up the spoils of the US-Iraq war and plan for the next one). (Note: this information should be useful to voters in the 2004 election.)