by Ophelia Harutyunyan, Armenia, 2023, 20' - in competition
Mariam lives with her mother and daughter in a remote Armenian village. She tends to the field, herding and house and spends some leisure moments with her friends. On her birthday, her hopes of seeing her husband return from Russia are shattered. Anush has also been left alone by her husband. It will be Mariam and the other friends who will support her during her pregnancy through the strength of the group and the affection that binds them together. An African proverb states, “To raise a child ... it takes a whole village.”
AWARDS
Special Mention at Filming History 2024
Special Mention at the Lucania Film Festival 2024
Best Actor Award at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival 2023
Best Short Film Award at the Mediterranean Short Film Festival 2024
Best Fiction Short Film Award at the Vertigo Film Festival 2024
Best International Short Film Award at the Corto di Sera 2024
Best International Short Film Award at the Huesca Film Festival 2023
Best International Short Film Award at the L.A. Shorts International Film Festival 2023
Best Actress Award at the Paradiso Film Festival 2024
Best Cinematography Award at the Paradiso Film Festival 2024
France Television Award at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival 2023
Grand Prix Award at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival 2023
Official Selection at the Brussels Short Film Festival 2023
Official Selection at Cinema and Environment 2024
Official Selection at the Corto e Fieno Film Festival 2024
Official Selection at the Ferrara Film Corto Festival 2024
Official Selection at the Film Festival della Lessinia 2023
Official Selection at the Sentiero Film Factory 2024
Official Selection at the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2023
Official Selection at SorsiCorti Short Film Festival 2024
Official Selection at Working Title Film Festival 2024
Official Selection at Mompeo International Short Film Festival 2024
Official Selection at the Aspen ShortsFest 2023
Official Selection at the Aswan International Women Film Festival 2023
Official Selection at the International Short Film Festival Canton 2023
Ophelia Harutyunyan - a Stockholm University and Columbia University MFA graduate and Berlinale Talents alumna - is an Armenian filmmaker working in New York City. In addition to Crazy, Not Insane (HBO) - premiered at the Venice Film Festival - and Red Apples (OUAT Media) - premiered at T.I.F.F. -, she directed and produced - together with Alex Gibney and Suzanne Hillinger - Totally Under Control (NEON). His films have screened at numerous festivals of excellence such as Sundance, SXSW, IDFA, AFI and Clermont - Ferrand.
Film Trailer: