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LOCAL FILMMAKER TO SCREEN LATEST DOCUMENTARY
by Stacie N. Galang
The Salem News
www.aramafilms.com
September 16, 2008 Tuesday
Beverly, Massachusetts
Sep. 16--PEABODY -- Apo Torosyan gives gifts.
The filmmaker's latest package is "The Morgenthau Story," a 56-minute
documentary about Henry Morgenthau, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey
from 1913 to 1916, his efforts to stop the Armenian genocide and his
life as a humanitarian.
"This film is a gift to the young generation to come because a lot
of people in today's generation haven't heard of Henry Morgenthau,"
Torosyan said.
His first area screening will be Sept. 21 in Chelmsford, with others
on the North Shore to follow on Oct. 20 at Salem State and Oct. 24
at Gordon College in Wenham.
Torosyan calls himself a storyteller whose goal is to educate.
"People don't remember dates," he said, "but if you tell them a story,
they will remember."
The documentary marks his fourth such film, all of which share the
common thread of the Armenian genocide. Torosyan describes himself
as a second-generation survivor.
"As a human being, I believe it's my job to change our vision,"
he said.
Each movie spawns his next.
His first, "Discovering My Father's Village -- Edincik," took him to
his ancestral homeland of Turkey. One showing near Boston, and the
lecture with it, led Torosyan to Morgenthau's story.
A professor in Greece suggested Torosyan create a 30-minute film on
the former ambassador. As Torosyan researched his subject, he found
Morgenthau's life and accomplishments too "rich" for 30 minutes.
"So I enlarged the film," he said. "His intentions were very universal,
and he was a humanitarian."
The filmmaker landed interviews with two of Morgenthau's grandsons and
one great-granddaughter. They share their understanding of the man,
his influence on their lives and his beliefs.
"If the world had reacted to the genocide of Armenians, Hitler would
have been reluctant to go out and kill Jews in wholesale fashion,"
grandson Robert Morgenthau said.
The words are strong and the images stronger. Torosyan does not shy
away from the heart-wrenching photos of the genocide.
The filmmaker said his grandparents didn't have a graveyard. With
his movies, now they do.
Torosyan completes his latest documentary with scenes of the
clouds. It's his way of relating hope, he said.
"My message is hope, not hate," he said.
Local Screenings
Sept. 21 -- St. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church, Chelmsford
Oct. 20 -- Salem State College
Oct. 24 -- Endicott College
by Stacie N. Galang
The Salem News
www.aramafilms.com
September 16, 2008 Tuesday
Beverly, Massachusetts
Sep. 16--PEABODY -- Apo Torosyan gives gifts.
The filmmaker's latest package is "The Morgenthau Story," a 56-minute
documentary about Henry Morgenthau, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey
from 1913 to 1916, his efforts to stop the Armenian genocide and his
life as a humanitarian.
"This film is a gift to the young generation to come because a lot
of people in today's generation haven't heard of Henry Morgenthau,"
Torosyan said.
His first area screening will be Sept. 21 in Chelmsford, with others
on the North Shore to follow on Oct. 20 at Salem State and Oct. 24
at Gordon College in Wenham.
Torosyan calls himself a storyteller whose goal is to educate.
"People don't remember dates," he said, "but if you tell them a story,
they will remember."
The documentary marks his fourth such film, all of which share the
common thread of the Armenian genocide. Torosyan describes himself
as a second-generation survivor.
"As a human being, I believe it's my job to change our vision,"
he said.
Each movie spawns his next.
His first, "Discovering My Father's Village -- Edincik," took him to
his ancestral homeland of Turkey. One showing near Boston, and the
lecture with it, led Torosyan to Morgenthau's story.
A professor in Greece suggested Torosyan create a 30-minute film on
the former ambassador. As Torosyan researched his subject, he found
Morgenthau's life and accomplishments too "rich" for 30 minutes.
"So I enlarged the film," he said. "His intentions were very universal,
and he was a humanitarian."
The filmmaker landed interviews with two of Morgenthau's grandsons and
one great-granddaughter. They share their understanding of the man,
his influence on their lives and his beliefs.
"If the world had reacted to the genocide of Armenians, Hitler would
have been reluctant to go out and kill Jews in wholesale fashion,"
grandson Robert Morgenthau said.
The words are strong and the images stronger. Torosyan does not shy
away from the heart-wrenching photos of the genocide.
The filmmaker said his grandparents didn't have a graveyard. With
his movies, now they do.
Torosyan completes his latest documentary with scenes of the
clouds. It's his way of relating hope, he said.
"My message is hope, not hate," he said.
Local Screenings
Sept. 21 -- St. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church, Chelmsford
Oct. 20 -- Salem State College
Oct. 24 -- Endicott College