To read Tumanyan in the original is still a dream for Ozjan Alperi

To read Tumanyan in the original is still a dream for Ozjan Alperi

Yerevan, July 16, ARMENPRESS: There where policy is “powerless”, culture lends a hand. Real artists are often able to do much: create connections, take the first step to dialogue, which are often basis for further cooperation in other spheres. “Armenpress” had an interview with the Hemshin Armenian director Ozjan Alperi arrived in Armenia within “Golden Apricot” Yerevan International 9th Festival, on possibility of cultural dialogue and the role and necessity of artists in this issue. The director’s “Autumn”, “Momy” and “Future is forever” films raised a new wave of discussions in Turkey.

“Mr. Alperi, what made you shoot films?”

“There were issues, topics I wanted to depict, to show: that made me shoot films. I participated in film seminars of Mijagetk cultural center and Nazim cultural house, took lessons of cinema and was a director assistant in different films. I could have transferred my tale by means of other spheres, but I chose films.

“You raise political issues, talk about Armenian and Turkish refined issues, but you do not want them to become preaching. Is it possible? “

“I locally speak and tell about those countries’ people, I work for man and thus touch upon Turkey’s current political problems. One should separate culture from politics. Art helps to see man and his soul, while creating art I see the world in my soul, country, Turkey and raise political issues, but I do not preach. Actually I am trying to depict reality in human and art in a correct and beautiful way, as reality is it.

“Would you like to learn Armenian?”

“Surely I would. My desire is for the future generation to have and learn their written language. If you do not master the written language of your country, you can hardly master its culture. I would like to read Tumanyan in the original, not in the mediated translation.

The director answered a lot more questions, but did not want to talk about his childhood, but for the first “acquaintance” with his Armenian origin, he noted:

“I had a very successful childhood in mountains. The first time I learnt about being Armenian was in student years. I do not like to talk about this. My films are more important at the moment”.