11:54,
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. Inna Sahakyan’s animated documentary Aurora's Sunrise has been included in MovieWeb’s 16 Best Animated Movies of 2023.
“Animation has a significant advantage over live-action filmmaking in that it can convey abstract ideas in a way that makes sense, both visually and spacially. Though there's a stigma surrounding animation in the west, with some likening the medium to children's entertainment, we occasionally get a film that demonstrates a level of maturity and emotional depth you simply can't find elsewhere.
“This is best exemplified by Aurora's Sunrise, an animated documentary film based on the life of the titular Aurora Mardiganian. A survivor of the Armenian Genocide, Aurora's life is depicted with a unique combination of live-action footage and brilliant animation, showcasing her journey from Eastern Anatolia to the streets of Hollywood. Inna Sahakyan directed this melancholic tale, with Aurora Mardiganian appearing in a handful of snippets taken from the 1919 film Auction of Souls.
“The animated portions of Aurora's Sunrise illustrate Aurora's journey in a way that simply wouldn't be feasible otherwise. Through the utilization of Armenian symbolism along with interview segments and archival footage, we're given an intimate viewing of Aurora's life against the backdrop of the Armenian Genocide. For those who may not have a full grasp of the Armenian Genocide's impact, Aurora's Sunrise presents this tragic event from a unique and informative perspective. Aurora's Sunrise is streaming on PBS,” MovieWeb said in the review.
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