By Mane Yepremyan
The Cut, a film by Fatih Akin, a German director of Turkish descent, centers on a survivor of the Armenian Genocide, Nazaret Manoogian, who lost his family and learnt years later that his twin daughters may have been left alive. He goes on a quest to find them and eventually reaches North Dakota. The 138-minute English-language film is scribed by Akin and ethnic Armenian Mardik Martin. On January 30, Yerevan hosted a private screening of The Cut. In a conversation with ArmenianGenocide100.org, Akin spoke about the film, his position on the Armenian Genocide and more.
When did you first hear about the Armenian Genocide?
I think I first heard of the Armenian Genocide when I was in high school – I was a teenager of 15 or 16 years.
What’s your personal position on the Armenian Genocide?
When I went to Turkey with the film, people kept asking me why I had shown just one side of the history. I said that this is not a football game with two sides. There is just one truth and I believe in that. I believe that events that took place in 1915 and the following years, are a genocide. But this is just my position, this is what I believe in.
Before screening the film, you said that Turkey is ready to watch a movie about the Genocide. Are you of the same opinion now?
Yes, I am. The film runs in Turkish movie theaters now, and people have access to it. If they want to have it on DVD, they will have it. If they want to stream it later, they can stream it later. Another question is if there is enough interest. Sadly enough, those who are interested are in the minority.
Do you think your movie changed anything in the Turkish society?
Some things have changed, of course. The other day an Armenian politician came to me and said that now he can forgive certain people. Or young people in Turkey who watched the movie were astonished as they had never heard of what the Ottoman Empire had done. So the film changed the reality of certain people. And maybe this is the right way to make some changes. Nobody can change the world altogether, but I can change my world. So, this change occurred not in the whole society, but in an individual.
If Turkey recognizes the Armenian Genocide, what should be done after that?
I have my own position, my own opinion regarding this question. I think that the word genocide is just a word misapplied by certain politicians due to some geopolitical issues. You should use this word when you really understand what has happened. I have nothing to do with politics whatsoever, and it is up to them whether to recognize the genocide or not. I think that it is more important for a cab driver, or a waiter, or the students, or the common people to know about the genocide, and I don’t care whether politicians accept it or not.
What film about the Armenian Genocide impressed you the most?
I like Ararat by Atom Egoyan. It was a great inspiration. I like America, America by Elia Kazan which is not about the Armenian Genocide. In many aspects this film is the godfather of my film. There are even some direct references to America, America.
What did you feel during your first visit to the Armenian Genocide Museum, where numerous photos reflect the atrocities committed by the Ottoman Empire?
The first time I visited the museum was 5 years ago, in 2010. I felt sorry, and I felt the burden of responsibility, I felt the grief in the air. When you are at the Genocide museum, the only thing you think about is the genocide, and nothing else.
Is it possible for you to come back to Armenia on April 24?
I don’t know. I will be at the United States promoting the film. I know that physical presence is important but if this not possible I will definitely be here with all my mind and spirit.
Source: ArmenianGenocide100.org / Mane Yepremyan