This film has its interesting moments. As a serious film buff I am glad I sat through it for these. However, there were several times I almost bolted. Be forewarned-- anyone who didn't go to film school may feel this film is a waste of time.
For example, the "Pores on the face of the peasant" reference is all too true--- Talk about artistic pretension and overdoing the closeups. Considering the intended audience ( not you ), it is no surprise that this movie has won the occasional film festival award.
However, this film has one potential utility-- if you need to convince the new girl friend that you have some special insight into film and a certain sympathy to women's problems, take her to see it. Don't worry, unless she is also trying to convince you that she is likewise some sort of film expert ( or even worse, really is one ) she will demand to leave 10 minutes in.
You will have made your point about being a pointy-head film poser and won't have wasted too much time. At the very least, you and she can commiserate about how "original" sometimes means impenetrable.
Variety's reviewer sums it up in a more mannerly way: "...filmmaker Garine Torossian should connect particularly with audiences from the Armenian diaspora. Otherwise, this very personal film -- focused on women and swimming in music, religious iconography and a heavy-duty dose of folklore -- makes great demands on the viewer, limiting its accessibility beyond festivals..."
*"There is no dispute that Gus is in the east"
For example, the "Pores on the face of the peasant" reference is all too true--- Talk about artistic pretension and overdoing the closeups. Considering the intended audience ( not you ), it is no surprise that this movie has won the occasional film festival award.
However, this film has one potential utility-- if you need to convince the new girl friend that you have some special insight into film and a certain sympathy to women's problems, take her to see it. Don't worry, unless she is also trying to convince you that she is likewise some sort of film expert ( or even worse, really is one ) she will demand to leave 10 minutes in.
You will have made your point about being a pointy-head film poser and won't have wasted too much time. At the very least, you and she can commiserate about how "original" sometimes means impenetrable.
Variety's reviewer sums it up in a more mannerly way: "...filmmaker Garine Torossian should connect particularly with audiences from the Armenian diaspora. Otherwise, this very personal film -- focused on women and swimming in music, religious iconography and a heavy-duty dose of folklore -- makes great demands on the viewer, limiting its accessibility beyond festivals..."
*"There is no dispute that Gus is in the east"