Cert TBA
82 mins
BBFC advice: TBA
I have studied quite a bit of European history in my time but, shamefully, I was unaware of the genocide of between 800,000 and 1.5 million Armenians in 1915.
That has now been put right by Garin Hovannisian and Alec Mouhibian's unusual drama.
Their film is centred on a Los Angeles theatre which is hosting a one-off production about the murders by the leaders of the Ottaman empire.
Facts of the tragedy are woven with fractious relationships of the actors and their director (Simon Abkarian).
Indeed, the latter claims that the performance could help lay the ghosts of the past for reasons which were a little beyond me.
He is aggressive towards his cast, including his actress wife (Angela Sarafyan) demanding they give their bodies and souls to the project.
Meanwhile, there are public protests outside of the theatre by those incensed about using the killings as a stage piece.
This is a curious movie which, sadly, dilutes its point because it seems to me to be more complicated that it needs to be.
Or perhaps my lack of historical knowledge meant I struggled to understand the depth of what was being presented.
Reasons to watch: revisits a war crime which is little-known in the West
Reasons to avoid: its complex crossover between theatre and reality
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 5/10
Star tweet
Kim Kardashian West April 24,1915 it was 99 years ago today 1.5 million Armenians were killed in a massacre
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