ARMENIA, from dream to reality

Between the Caucasus, Anatolia and Iran, Armenia is one of mankind's secret cradles. Noah's Ark is said to have run aground on Mount Ararat, and archaeology has shown that viticulture originated in this part of the world. 6,000 years later, vines are still thriving here, despite the continental climate and particularly high altitude.

The Armenians founded the first Christian state in the early centuries. Medieval churches crown spectacular landscapes.

On the balcony of Europe, wedged between the great Persian, Ottoman and Russian empires, the destiny of the Armenian people has been punctuated by great periods of instability and tragedy. The Armenian genocide was the second of the 20th century, and is still fresh in people's minds.

Everywhere, in this landlocked country lacking allies, a bitter struggle for survival permeates daily life and the psyche. The diaspora does not remain behind the curtain, but is active and questioning.

Nicolas Pernot's film is an exploratory adventure into Armenia, the present-day home of an ancient people. The ciné-reportage is a subtle discovery of the Armenian character. The thrill and emotion arise when the great story finds an echo in everyday life. The film is punctuated by numerous encounters, each one showing, explaining, telling, demonstrating or drawing a part of the cultural heritage.

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