ARMENIAN-INDIAN COOPERATION MUST BE IMPLEMENTED IN ALL SPHERES OF CULTURE, RA MINISTER OF CULTURE EMPHASIZES

Noyan Tapan
Mar 21 2006

YEREVAN, MARCH 21, NOYAN TAPAN. Gevorg Gevorgian, the RA Minister
of Culture and Youth Issues received on March 21 the Indian
cinematographers who are on a working visit in Yerevan. The Armenian
and Indian cinematographers discuss issues of shooting Indian films
in Armenia as well as development of the Armenian-Indian joint film
industry. Touching upon the two peoples’ historic ties and contacts,
RA Minister of Culture and Youth Issues Gevorg Gevorgian mentioned
that today this friendship starts to develop consonant to the new
times. The Minister expressed confidence that the Armenian-Indian
cooperation must be implemented in all spheres of culture, including
the sphere of film industry. G.Gevorgian appreciated the Indian
cinematographers’ wish to shoot Indian films in Armenia, but,
according to the Minister, development of the joint film industry is
more important. Producer Ashok Mehta, the owner of the “Bollywood”
Indian great studio mentioned that during the initial period they
will shoot only Indian films for what they, first of all, need to get
acquainted with the nature and sightseeings of Armenia. Besides, they
want to get acquainted with the Armenian cinematography closer. Ashok
Mehta is sure that development of the Armenian-Indian joint film
industry will be beneficial for producers of the two countries, and
the result will be perceptible. He mentioned that Bollywood has great
financial resources and shoots 1000 films a year. Film Director Arman
Manarian, pointing out the Armenian-Indian historic contacts, proposed
to shoot a joint historic film. And director Haroutiun Khachatrian, the
“Golden Apricot” International Film Festival Director, mentioned that
the festival directorate has a great wish to have Indian films in their
programs and to invite their authors to Armenia. H.Khachatrian invited
the Indian cinematographers to participate in the “Golden Apricot”
festival to take place in summer. The Indian cinematographers will
visit the “Hayfilm” studio on the same day to get acquainted with the
technical capabilities and films of the film library.