The Armenian Apostolic Church Award
For the very first time this year the 9th Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival presents a special Yeghitsi Luys (“Let there be light”)award to promote spiritual, cultural and humanitarian values and for a significant contribution to global cinematography. The award is established by the Armenian Apostolic church. The first award will be granted to world famous Russian director Alexander Sokurov.
Alexander Sokurov, one of the most distinguished contemporary film directors, was born in Russia, 1951. Sokurov, author of over 20 documentaries, is particularly famous for his feature films. Often being a subject of oppression by the former USSR authorities Sokurov won instant fame only after the collapse of the Soviet Union when his films won awards in prominent European film festivals such as the Cannes, Berlin, Locarno, Moscow, Toronto and Venice festivals.
The 9th Golden Apricot Film Festival in the frames of “Retrospective” program will present Sokurov’s four films on three leaders of the 20th century- Lenin, Hitler and Hirohito: particularly the film “The Sun” (2005), the film “Moloch” (2008), and the film “Taurus” (2001) will be screened. The program will present also the concluding film “Faust” which won “Golden Lion” top prize at the 68th Venice Film Festival in 2011. As a reminder, “The Sun” was previously awarded the main prize as the best feature film at GOLDEN APRICOT in 2005. However, this year is Sokurov’s first visit to Armenia.
The author of the «Yeghitsi Luys» (“Let there be light”) award-statuette is distinguished Armenian designer Nur.
Speakers of the press conference:
T. Gevork Bishop Saroyan, Supervisor of the Mother Temple Spiritual-educational Institutions
Harutyun Khachatryan, Festival Founding Director
Nur, Designer
Tatevik Maoukyan, Head of Internatioanl Department of the Festival
Design