Guest Posted October 9, 2000 Report Share Posted October 9, 2000 . Schiff, Scott to be Thanked By Arm. Film Foundation State Senator Adam Schiff and Assemblyman Jack Scott will be recognized at the world premiere gala of "Voices From The Lake," the epic documentary film produced by the Armenian Film Foundation. "Voices From The Lake" is the first part of the historic "The Witnesses" trilogy of documentary films that will preserve the evidence of the Armenian Genocide for all times. The premiere will take place at the prestigious Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in North Hollywood on October 18. By documenting on film the proof of Turkish atrocities against the Armenian people, including dramatic personal accounts of both Armenian and non-Armenian eyewitnesses, "The Witnesses" will ensure the future generations will always remember and understand the Armenian Genocide. The documentary series is the culmination of decades of painstaking work and research by Dr. J. Michael Hagopian and the Armenian Film Foundation's team. Dr. Hagopian has traveled throughout the Middle East and Europe, interviewing witnesses of the Genocide, pouring through foreign archives, and gathering an immense volume of irrefutable evidence of the slaughter of the Armenian people and the genocidal intent of the Ottoman Turks. "Voices From The Lake," the first film in the series, details the story of the destruction of Kharpert. The completion of this crucially important series of documentaries was made possibly by legislative leadership and forward-looking vision of Senator Adam Schiff and Assemblyman Jack Scott. Senator Schiff secured over $470,000 in state funding for the films, and Assemblyman Scott arranged for additional funding from the California Arts Council. Both of these great legislative leaders and advocates for the Armenian community are expected to attend the world premiere gala of "Voices From The Lake." Senator Schiff represents Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, and surrounding areas in the California State Senate, and he is now a candidate for the US House of Representatives. Assemblyman Scott represents Pasadena, La Canada-Flintridge and surrounding areas in the State Assembly, and he is now a candidate to replace Schiff in the Senate. "Senator Adam Schiff and Assemblyman Jack Scott have always been great friends of our community and among the most effective advocated in the State Legislature on our issues," said Paul Krekorian, Chairman of the Premiere Committee. "They have been tireless in their service to the Armenian-American community, and their successful efforts on behalf of the Armenian Film Foundation will make and enormous difference in ensuring that our grandchildren, and their grandchildren, will never forget the horror of the Armenian Genocide. The entire Armenian community, and indeed everyone who cares about justice and historical truth, owes these great leaders a tremendous debt of gratitude. The world premiere gala of :Voices From The Lake" will take place in October 18 at 7 p.m. at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, 5230 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. For tickets or further information, please call the Armenian Film Foundation at (805) 495-0717. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 19, 2000 Report Share Posted October 19, 2000 'Voices From the Lake' Premier Draws Rave Applause BY ARA KHACHATOURIAN NORTH HOLLYWOOD--The gala world premier of Dr. J. Michael Hagopian's "Voices from the Lake," which took place Wednesday evening at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, was greeted with rave applause and standing ovations, for the detailed account of Armenian massacres in Kharpert during 1915, as part of Ottoman Turkish Empire's genocidal campaign against the Armenians. The 85-minute film is the first in a series of documentaries entitled "Witnesses" being produced by Dr. Hagopian and the Armenian Film Foundation, as an effort to document the atrocities of the Armenian Genocide, serving as a permanent tribute to the victims of the Genocide. "Voices from the Lake" chronicles the lives of the Armenians living in Kharpert from the turn-of-the-century to the time of the Genocide. The story is intertwined with eyewitness accounts, from not only survivors of the horrifying massacres, but also non-Armenian stationed in Kharpert either as missionaries or as consular officials for the US and Germany. With references to journals independently kept by US Consul General to Kharpert Leslie Davis, American physicians administering a hospital and survivors, the film brings together the accounts of events, which have been recorded similarly by different individuals. The poignant tale of Dr. Hagopian's own story of survival serves as the premise of the documentary, which painstakingly characterizes the Turkish atrocities and serves as an important historic proof that the Genocide was, in fact, a systematic effort by the Ottoman Turkish government to annihilate the Armenians of Eastern Turkey. Parts two and three are currently in production and sources involved with the film attest that they, too, will bring the horrors of the Genocide to life. The moving program that followed the screening of "Voices from the Lake" only reaffirmed Dr. Hagopian's commitment to preserving this tragic period in history for generations to come. Premier Committee co-chair Paul Krekorian introduced the film, following the screening of which, Armenian Film Foundation chairmen Walter Karabian, the former majority leader of the California State Assembly, who invited Dr. Hagopian to the stage, amid rave applause from the audience. In his remarks, Dr. Hagopian thanked all the individuals and organizations that assisted him and the Armenian Film Foundation in the production of the movie, and expressed hope that the movie will, one day, be translated into Turkish and Armenian. D. Hagopian then guided the program to its emotional climax, when three survivors featured in the film were invited to the stage to be honored. One by one Harutiun Chitjian, Sam Kadorian and Hayastan Terzian ascended onto the stage to standing ovations and often tearful applause from the audience. Following the moving homage, Karabian introduced several individuals who were instrumental ion garnering support for the movie and asked Paul Krekorian to present public officials that had worked in support of the production. First to be honored by State Sen. Adam Schiff, through whose efforts last year, almost $500,000 in state funds were allocated to the Film Foundation for the production of the movie. In his remarks, Schiff stressed the importance of preserving the memory of survivors and telling the story of the Armenian Genocide to the public. He presented a Senate resolution honoring Dr. Hagopian and the Film Foundation for their efforts. In turn, Krekorian presented a plaque to Schiff for his role in securing the support needed for the production of the film. Also honored was State Assemblyman Jack Scott for his role in securing similar funding for the movie. Scott also emphasized the importance of the film in preserving the historic truths that are being denied for political ends. Joining Schiff and Scott during the opening were State Assemblyman Scott Wildman, Torrance City Councilman Jack Meserlian and Glendale City Councilman Rafi Manoukian. Also attending the event was Mayor of La Canada-Flintridge Carol Liu. Western Primate Arch Vatche Hovsepian also attended the gala premier. Following the program a reception followed at the foyer of the auditorium, where attendees were able to personally meet Dr. Hagopian, Film Foundation members, survivors and the public officials and exchange views with one another. A silent auction benefiting the Armenian Film Foundation was also held throughout the evening. Both Dr. J. Michael Hagopian and the Armenian Film Foundation must be praised for their efforts in preserving history and presenting historical accounts of the Armenian Genocide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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