YEREVAN (A.W.)—In early September, renowned French actor, director, and producer Gerard Depardieu visited Armenia, where he received a film prize, met President Sarkisian, visited the Dzidzernagapert Armenian Genocide Memorial, and talked about playing in a film on Armenian history and the genocide.
Awards
On Sept. 4, Depardieu received the Armenian National Assembly Medal of Honor and a Karot 2010 Festival Prize. The Cultural International Karot Festival is organized under the auspices of National Assembly speaker Hovik Abrahamyan, who presented Depardieu with the medal and prize. The actor, in turn, thanked Karot Prize recipients for their contributions to art and music.
Abrahamyan suggested the next Karot Festival be held in Paris, under Depardieu’s auspices.
Depardieu said he intends to organize a film festival in Armenia, and personally encourage other European artists to visit the country, according to a press release from the National Assembly.
Meeting with Sarkisian
Depardieu also met with President Serge Sarkisian, who said Depardieu’s participation in the festival was a supportive gesture in promoting Armenian culture. “We Armenians are in general a very emotional people,” Sarkisian said. “We view ourselves as a culture-loving nation and believe that culture is the core of our national identity. We constantly receive impulses and signals from that core, from our roots, and these signals sustain our resilience.”
“I am too very proud and thankful to be here, in Armenia,” noted Depardieu. “Here I feel like an Armenian. With time I came to know many Armenians living in France, who after the genocide of 1915 were able to go on living and rebuilt their lives thanks to their culture and resilience. I know all the members of the Armenian community and their children. They are directors and filmmakers like Henri Verneuil, artists like Jansem, singers and composers like Charles Aznavour. That’s why I responded with pleasure to the invitation of the Armenian Fund for Cultural Development, especially after seeing pictures of your country. When a country has such long-established traditions and amazing geography it means that the Armenians have a very tolerant, generous, and rich nature,” Depardieu was quoted as saying on Sarkisian’s official webpage.
Press conference
During a press conference on Sept. 4, Depardieu said he finds the word “karot” (nostalgia) interesting, and understands why it has a special meaning for Armenians, the majority of whom live outside Armenia.
“In France I am familiar with numerous Armenians. I know why the Armenians are there. I know what the genocide means, that it took place in 1915,” said Depardieu.
“Today I visited the genocide victims’ complex, and it greatly impressed me,” said the actor, adding, “I think that Turkey has already begun the process of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Here I don’t want to speak about the politics, but I know that there are countries that have raised that issue before Turkey… Here the culture plays a big role.”
Depardieu also said that he is familiar with fourth-generation French-Armenians. “I know that today many Armenians living in France want to find again their country, Armenia. One thing always surprises me—they have never forgotten either their traditions or their language.”
He also said he would gladly make a film about a period in Armenian history, with the help of actors of Armenian origin.
About Depardieu
Depardieu is a French actor, producer, director, and winemaker. He has won numerous honors and awards, including an Academy Award nomination for the main role in “Cyrano de Bergerac” (1990) and a Golden Globe award for Best Actor in “Green Card” (1990).
Nanore Barsoumian
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I am very glad that Mr. Depardieu is taking interest in Armenians and ARmenia in general.
Thank you for bringing the issue of Genocide and demonstrating to everyone especially to our Govt officials that this matter is nothing to push aside and fight till the end…
I hope that Mr. Depardieu will organize the festival in ARmenia and invite everyone from all over the world to attend this event… promoting the beauty, the rich history and the people of Armenia to the world will benefit everyone living in Armenia as well as everyone internationally…
It was a great deal if the actor makes a movie about the Armenian history… I would definintely would want to watch that…
I had no idea how desperate Armenians were! Here they bring out a washed-up has been (French…gee, what a surpise) who wants to play in a movie. Since every nation loves the French, while admiring their bravery and honor, let them send this guy to make his movie if it will shut all of you up, including him & the French!
Robert,
you seem to be burning in the flames of your own anger to such an extent that you are having a hard time being coherent. Your post makes no sense, to say the least.
Oui, Oui, Robert! You mock and deride Armenians and make no meaningful contribution to these pages. What else is new?
Aweeeeee…I guess Robert does not know how to shut up.. and by digging his own hole on these pages he may end up permanently falling in and not be able to get out…don’t give yourself a stroke Robert… as humans, no matter how much you hate us, we want you to be well and alive…however, just know that by coming off sooooooo angry, and Anti-Armenian, you are not helping your cause…… it seems like someone is losing grounds here…
Like I said.. You Turks continue to deny, and we ARmenians will continue to fight against crazies like you.. Obviously you are losing the battle so you find any means to complain and whine….. you do not want to shut up yourself so we will do that for you..
Oh don’t cirl your panties Robert.. of course the movie will be made and not just one but many many .. have no doubt.. and guess what? you would have no choice but to watch it…:)
Have a wonderful evening Sir Robert The Turk..
Mr. Depardieu is my favorit actor, and I am very happy that he visited Armenia, and voices for recognition of Genocide of Armenians by Turkey. Any honest and intelligent human being should act like Gerard Depardieu. Shame on you, Robert, just shut up, and get lost for good!
Gina,
Most Ergenekons (wolf lovers) in Turkey are diehard Kemalist….and they don’t know why!!
Robert guy is belong to that group..he already confessed in this forum..
What a hateful, contemptuous slander, Robert. I have watched almost every film of Gerard Depardieu, since the beginning of his career – and he has not only proven a masterful, intense, profound and powerful talent on stage and in the great diversity and complexity of the characters he projects so brilliantly, he is a genius. He is an actor in the great mold of Jean Gabin, Simone Signoret….tough, relentless, and authentic. He came from an underpriveleged social millieu, and fought with pure talent and determination, and gave unselfishly and graciously to all who were REAL and sincere in his life – with an elegance and nobility rarely portrayed in film or in life. Aznavour, as many extroardinary Armenians in France, feel an alliance, a kinship with this man – who has the qualities of courage and guts of REAL men, men who’s souls have been scarred and who’s hearts have been broken – because he is a man of passion and brutal truth – no “pretty boy” – a man of content and uncompromizing dignity and class, with the insticts and intelligence that only a true survivor could identify with. He is a man who would take a bullet for his friends, who would give his life for what he believes in – and neither ask or expect a thing in return. Gerard also lost his son a few years ago, a son he loved with all his soul. A man of your stupidity and inadequacy would never understand a man and an actor of Depardieu’s depth, generosity and spiritual beauty – he is a born fighter, a gladiator, and a man who communicates from his soul. You, Robert, are not fit to stand in the same room with a man like Depardieu – so please crawl back into the ignorant emptiness of your meaningless opinions and see yourself for what you are – nothing.
yes, armenians are desparate! how could we stand next to a blood-thirsty savage like you with your twelve billion dollars a year gift from the usa state department to make(?) a film star of your own—whose name none of us know.
Rebecca.. Exquisit.. absolutely brilliant commentary.. BRAVO.. qefs ekav when I read it…
Thank you..
Gayane
One more thing about our posts as compared to yours…I may only get 10% air time here, but on our posts, there’s a dashnak who goes by the handle of Chuckles The Clown. Would you like to know why? He used to have various other names which he’d post under (the last one being “JDA”), but I have kicked his butt so many times , catching him in lie after lie, that he runs away and pops up later on. I follow him and after a year, have shown that he has zero credibility! I therefore have given him his well deserved name of Chukles the Clown, because that’s how low he’s fallen. He thought that he was a big person. Now he’s forced to utilize the name which I gave him (anyone else would be too ashamed to ever show their face on a post where they’re continuously being proven to be a liar)! As I said in my invitation to all of you, feel free to come and post whatever you wish on our sites. Then you’ll be able to see the real difference between black and white (and this has no racial conotations either).
Robert.. 10% air time too much…
You come here with your threats to do this and that but in reality you dont’ realize how ridiculeous you yourself are.. with your absurd comments and threats…
I am glad to know that you are violent and capable of threatening other human beings epsecially Armenians…
Talk about zero credibility.. HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO… you are the absolute example of having zero credibility on these forums.. such ignorance…
You are lucky we dont’ throw you out of here… but then again, how can one civilized socienty do that? i know you are not familiar with “civilized” term Robert..
Good Day “Enver.. no.. wait.. more like Hitler? nahhh.. i would say Erdogan? hmmmm maybe Davutoglu..”…oh well they are all the same… so you pick your nickname Robert…
Gina,
What do you expect from a turk named Robert?
Robert,
you may be able to relax a bit and, as a result, make more sense if you try to sort things out. I can offer some help in that process. Which of the following best describes the reason for your frustration?
a. France was the first major Western country to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. (They didn’t give a donkey’s kidney to Turkish threats and complaints. In the end we had to behave ourselves and swallow the pill as bitter as it was.)
b. France rejects Turkey’s aspirations to join the EU.
c. Depardieu speaks the truth about the Armenian Genocide. Moreover, he is interested in Armenian culture.
d. As I said myself: “Every nation loves the French.” (I wonder why. I am so jealous.)
e. All of the above.
If Turks are so uncomfortable with the image they have crafted for themselves, they shouldv’e handled their problems with other peoples in a more civilized way. One can’t have it all. The best thing to do at this point is accept the truth about yourselves. By getting upset and throwing mud at others you simply delay the process of recovery for everybody.
“I therefore have given him his well deserved name of Chukles the Clown, because that’s how low he’s fallen… Now he’s forced to utilize the name which I gave him”
And how exactly is he forced by you? Do you have a gun pointed at him? He still goes by name jda and you would feel blessed to have half of the wits he does. How low do you think YOU have fallen by being unable to hide your envy and frustration. Soon you will burn out in your own anger.
I was absent here.Was interned at local hospital for dubious something.But checked out fine and am glad to hear from you all.
Please anyone who can bring to attn: of Monsieur Depardieu to read book entitled”MAMIGON” by Jack Hashian.This I have brought up in Yerevan Film industries chief there.They lack the Western Technique and also….funds.So if Mr. Deparadieu would go over that book and then have it written in “Script” format either in Ra or France/USA then it would mostl certainly surpass “Schindler´s List”.he also acting there as the protagonist….
Robert the turk robot… his ignorance needs to be replied to with one statement (to avoid our times wasted/dealing with his addlepated lies and worse). How about enlightening him with:
“HISTORICALLY, TURKS HAVE COMMITTED GENOCIDES FROM THE 19TH, 20TH, 21ST CENTURIES.”
Manooshag
P.S. Do Armenians (or any) have access to voice opinions in a Turkeys’ media??