ARMENIA: CARTOON HERO HAILED AS ALTERNATIVE TO TV CRIME SERIES
Marianna Grigoryan

EurasiaNet
Feb 5 2010
NY

A feature-length cartoon about an Armenian epic folk hero, Davit
of Sasun, is receiving praise from many parents in Yerevan as a
long-overdue antidote to what is widely perceived as the debilitating
influence of TV crime dramas on Armenian young people.

Rich in traditional music, the 80-minute "Sasna Tsrer" ("The
Daredevils of Sasun"), was released on January 25. It is Armenia’s
first feature-length, animated production since the country regained
independence in 1991. Endowed with superhuman strength and a voice
that echoes throughout canyons, the protagonist, Davit of Sasun,
(or Sasuntsi Davit to Armenians) is a character that is part-Paul
Bunyan and part-David of Israel. His parents dead, Davit, son of
the king of Sasun, is taken to a neighboring Egyptian kingdom called
Msr. Davit ends up eventually killing Msr’s leader, who envies his
mighty strength and plots against Sasun.

The animated feature cost about 360 million drams, or almost $
1 million, to make, a large budget by contemporary Armenian standards.

Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan described the feature, which
was mostly financed by the government, as "a work demonstrating the
people’s level of civilization." Cartoon producer Gevorg Gevorgian,
who is also the director of the National Cinema Center, seconded that
line, boasting that the cartoon, nearly eight years in the making,
gives young Armenians a hero worthy of the name – a hero who is
"masculine, victorious and noble."

"We have tried to keep with international standards for [cartoon]
images and keep away from Armenian stereotypes of curly hair and bushy
eyebrows," elaborated animator Vardan Zakarian, one of the cartoon’s
creators. "I’ve produced a piece of work of which I’m proud."

Many Armenians welcome the cartoon for promoting Davit of Sasun as
a wholesome alternative to the underworld toughs made popular in
TV crime series. The programs are blamed for corrupting youngsters’
language and values, as well as boosting crime rates. [For details,
see the Eurasia Insight archive.]

"I’m sure this cartoon will definitely have a positive impact on young
people," Col. Sayat Shirinian, a spokesman for the national police,
said. "Many people will not read the poem, but will definitely watch
the cartoon and see strong and worthy characters."

Thirty-seven-year-old Yerevan resident Natalya Nazarian agrees that
the story of Davit of Sasun, which has existed in written form for
over 1,000 years, provides a model for both grownups and children.

"I’m just proud we can have our own hero at last," she gushed, after
taking her children to see the feature at Yerevan’s Moscow Film
?heater, the cartoon’s sole venue. A Moscow Film Theater box office
cashier reported that ticket sales were brisk.

The feature’s emphasis on national unity against scheming neighboring
powers might appear likely to strike a potential political chord,
as well. Fierce opposition to the proposed reconciliation with Turkey
has recently given new life to Armenian nationalist sentiment. So far,
no political party has commented on the cartoon. [For background see
the Eurasia Insight archive].

The film does have its detractors. Its dialogue, using dialect
contained in a 1903 version of the poem by Tumanian, baffles many young
viewers. One six-year-old girl complained that the characters were
"talking a village language" and that she "didn’t understand anything."

Sixty-seven-year-old grandmother Laura Harutiunian agreed that the
cartoon may be "? bit complicated" for children. She also voiced doubt
that any single film or program could counteract the influence of the
TV crime series. But Harutiunian still noted the cartoon’s significance
in a market that features a lack of high-quality Armenian-language
entertainment for children.

Cartoon producer Gevorgian acknowledged that the cartoon might have
certain "shortcomings," but added that the feature would be presented
at the Cannes film festival in May. Already, production has begun
on a second feature-length cartoon, tentatively titled "Anahit." The
work reportedly will tell the tale of a village girl who refuses to
marry an Armenian king until he learns to make carpets.

Editor’s Note: Marianna Grigoryan is a freelance reporter based
in Yerevan.