Return of the Poet

Colour, 35 mm
Armenia, 2006, 88 min
Section: Documentary Films in Competition

Synopsis

In his new film, the Armenian director again focuses on the fate of his country and its inhabitants. This time, he seeks the assistance of his compatriot, poet and itinerant singer Jivany, who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The film’s prologue presents shots of a sculptor working a huge stone into a figure of the legendary artist. The monumental artefact is then hoisted onto a lorry and sets off on a journey across Armenia. This exceptionally appealing documentary study, brilliant in its artistic imagery, brings a testimony of Jivany’s close links with Armenian traditions, both through the local inhabitants who sing the poet’s texts, and during a visit to the ancient sites lying on the road between Yerevan and Jivany’s birthplace. The director’s multi-layered conception of an almost surreal odyssey uniquely captures the mysterious nature of the landscape and the vibrant energy which passes through it.

About the director

Harutyun Khachatryan (b. 1955, Akhalkalak, Georgia), after completing his film studies at the State Teaching Institute (1981), worked for an Armenian documentary film studio and later at Hayfilm/Armenfilm. He is the co-founder and President of the International Film Festival in Yerevan “Golden Apricot”. Select filmography: Voices of the District (1981), Hosted by the Commander (1985, co-dir. with N. Hovhannisyan), Chronicle of a Case (1985), Three Rounds from Vladimir Yangibaryan’s Life (1986), Kond (1987), White Town (1988), The Wind of Emptiness (1989), Return to the Promised Land (1991). Currently one of the most prominent Armenian filmmakers, he has won a number of awards for his films, including a Special Mention from the documentary film jury at the KV IFF in 2003 for the film Documentarist (2003).