My Sweet Land: Film Screening and Discussion with Director

The event will involve a film screening of award-winning film MY SWEET LAND followed by a Q&A discussion with the Director, Sareen Hairabedian. The film is a coming-of-age story set against a multigenerational war in the post-Soviet Caucasus Mountains. The film follows an 11-year-old boy named Vrej, growing up in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) who dreams of becoming a dentist in his picture-postcard village. But Vrej’s life takes a sudden turn when war erupts, forcing him to flee with his family. He spends his days in exile impatiently waiting for victory, but reality takes a different turn. The film was directed by Armenian-Jordanian documentary filmmaker Sareen Hairabedian and has received multiple awards and nominations.

Last fall, the Jordanian government withdrew their submission of My Sweet Land for the 97th AcademyAwards for Best International Feature due to diplomatic pressure as reported here.

The screening will offer a timely opportunity to engage in meaningful conversation around the ongoing struggles of the people of Artsakh—where generations have been shaped by both hope and trauma. The screenings will provide a poignant opportunity to honor Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day on April 24th.

Host or Publisher UCI Illuminations