New Film ‘Ts'oyti’ Features Armenian and Azerbaijani Shepherds Signing a Memorandum

The newspaper ‘Hraparak’ reports: Former MP Hakob Hakobyan, who has recently been involved in film production in Armenia, informed Hraparak.am that he is working on a third film.

“Mr. Hakobyan, I’ve heard you are filming again.”

“It’s in process. It’s about Armenian and Azerbaijani friends, shepherds, set in our times – the year 1919, when they become friends in the mountains and then events unfold, ultimately leading to the shepherds signing a memorandum and bringing peace.”

“In which mountains do they become friends?”

“In our Armenian-Azerbaijani border.”

“Do they cross the border to become friends?”

“They are shepherds, they meet while tending to their lambs.”

“What does the memorandum state?”

“Peace. They become so close.”

“Are the actors playing the Azerbaijani and Armenian shepherds local?”

“Our Armenian actors. I can’t reveal who they are yet because we’ve accepted those actors and are doing auditions. Our specialists are working on which options to choose.”

“You have to be familiar with the accounting of film production. Isn’t 28 minutes quite short for a documentary film?”

“I can’t say; it depends on who is spending the money. If the owner is spending, they will naturally spend cautiously, while if someone else’s money is being spent, they will take liberties. I fully finance my films.”

“The controversial film ‘Mel’ cost about 200 million, considering that 20 million drams is 10% of the film’s budget.”

“No, those are huge figures you’re mentioning. Such budgets do not exist. But it all depends on what scenes are being shot, where they are, and what the expenses are.”

“Have you managed to recover the funds invested in your films?”

“No, we haven’t received any money back. We have just produced them.”

“And the film ‘Mel’… would you film such a movie?”

“No, no, I only film the movies where I am the screenwriter. I wouldn’t film another's script.”

“But would a transgender person's tragedy inspire you as a screenwriter?”

“Of course not. I am more interested in the reality that exists today; I am an advocate for peace. I am in favor of resolving political issues in a civilized manner.”

For more details, refer to today’s edition of the newspaper.