Douglas Kalagian Talks About 'Peace for Armenia' Coming to NBFF - Interview

'Peace for Armenia: The Plot to Destroy the First Christian Nation' will have two screenings at the 25th annual Newport Beach Film Festival, the first on October 20, 2024, and the second on October 23, 2024, both at The Triangle. It is important to emphasize that while the film addresses historical and political strife, it does not seek to promote hatred towards the citizens of Azerbaijan and Turkey. Instead, it aims to foster empathy and understanding among individuals, highlighting the shared humanity that transcends conflict. Through these screenings, the hope is to encourage dialogue and reflection on these pressing issues, allowing viewers to engage with the stories and histories that shape the lives of the Armenian people today.

What began as a personal story about documentarian, Douglas Kalagian and his friend, Andre Marcarian, visiting Armenia quickly transforms into a broader narrative about the ongoing conflict between the two former Soviet nations. Kalagian, who is Armenian by adoption—his grandfather was an ethnic Armenian who adopted his father—embarks on a journey to uncover the meaning of his identity. Against this backdrop of escalating tensions, the narrative shifts to Armenia from the two friends who embarked on this journey to their ancestral homeland for the first time.

'Peace for Armenia' intricately weaves together the experiences of Christian Armenians living in the United States, Armenia, and Artsakh during the intense three months leading to the end of a 35-year conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. It opens in the United States, examining the context in which Armenian-Americans have preserved their cultural identity in the aftermath of the Ottoman Empire's genocide. Unfortunately, history appears to be repeating itself, as Azerbaijan continues to blockade 120,000 Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, cutting them off from essential supplies for survival.

The mission of 'Peace for Armenia' is to inspire a deep understanding of Armenian history, culture, and resilience in the face of forces that seek to undermine them. It highlights not just the struggles but also the rich cultural heritage of the Armenian people.

As Kalagian and I discuss our experiences—his as an Armenian and mine as an Assyrian—we reflect on our intertwined histories that have run parallel for over 5,000 years. We share insights into our nations’ struggles for survival, our quests for identity, and how a trip to the motherland evolved into a documentary about more than just one man's journey.

'Peace for Armenia: The Plot to Destroy the First Christian Nation' screens at the Newport Beach Film Festival on Sunday, October 20, 2024, and the second on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at The Triangle. To purchase tickets visit: https://nbff2024.eventive.org.

To find out more about 'Peace for Armenia: The Plot to Destroy the First Christian Nation' visit: https://www.peaceforarmeniafilm.com.

Subscribe to Douglas Kalagian's YouTube page at:    / @dougkalagian  

Long form interviews from 'Peace for Armenia: The Plot to Destroy the First Christian Nation' will e coming to:    / @behindthestorywithdk  

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