My Sweet Land

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My Sweet Land
My Sweet Land poster.jpg
Promotional release poster
Directed bySareen Hairabedian
Written bySareen Hairabedian
Produced by
  • Sareen Hairabedian
  • Azza Hourani
CinematographySareen Hairabedian
Edited by
  • Sareen Hairabedian
  • Raphaëlle Martin-Holger
Music by Tigran Hamasyan
Production
companies
Release date
Running time
86 minutes
Countries
  • United States
  • France
  • Ireland
  • Jordan
LanguageArmenian

My Sweet Land is a 2024 documentary film written, co-produced, edited and directed by Sareen Hairabedian. It follows 11-year-old Vrej, a boy living in Nagorno-Karabakh whose life takes a sudden turn when war erupts and he is forced to flee.

Contents

It had its world premiere at Sheffield DocFest on June 13, 2024.

Premise

Eleven-year-old Vrej lives in Nagorno-Karabakh, and his life takes a sudden turn when the war erupts and he is forced to flee. He later returns, and he must learn the ways of war to defend his homeland. [1]

Production

In 2018, Sareen Hairabedian meet Vrej in Nagorno-Karabakh, during a research trip, to meet children of couples who mass married in 2008, in order to populate the region. [2] [3] Hairabedian wanted to tell the story through the eyes of a child in order to focus on humanitarian and humane aspects. [4] [5]

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Sheffield DocFest on June 13, 2024. [6] [7] It also screened at DOC NYC on November 16, 2024. [8]

Reception

Oscar submission

In September 2024, Jordan selected the film as the country's submission for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. [9] In November 2024, Jordan withdrew the film for consideration following diplomatic pressure from Azerbaijan. [10] [11] Additionally the film was banned in Jordan. [12]

Hairabedian responded by stating: "It’s a film that has documented a place and a life that no longer exists now. Film and documentary art is one of the most important and effective tools to continue telling the truth that has been cleansed, silenced". [13]

References

  1. ↑ Abbatescianni, Davide (April 10, 2024). "EXCLUSIVE: First look at Sareen Hairabedian's documentary My Sweet Land". CineEuropa. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  2. ↑ Merin, Jennifer (November 27, 2024). "Sareen Hairabedian talks MY SWEET LAND , Vrej and Authentic Story – Jennifer Merin interviews". Alliance of Women Film Journalists . Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  3. ↑ Wissot, Lauren (November 15, 2024). ""Shifting Focus from Political Agendas To the Real Faces of Conflict": Sareen Hairabedian on Her DOC NYC-Premiering My Sweet Land". Filmmaker . Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  4. ↑ Pan, Sevara (November 11, 2024). "Sareen Hairabedian on Depicting Coming-of-Age During War in 'My Sweet Land'". International Documentary Association . Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  5. ↑ Saito, Stephen (November 27, 2024). "Sareen Hairabedian on the Many Internal Conflicts of "My Sweet Land"". The Moveable Fest. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  6. ↑ "My Sweet Land". Sheffield DocFest . Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  7. ↑ Carey, Matthew (May 28, 2024). "A Boy Deals With Consequences Of War In 'My Sweet Land': Watch Trailer For Film Premiering At Sheffield DocFest". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  8. ↑ "My Sweet Land". DOC NYC . Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  9. ↑ Goodfellow, Melanie (September 25, 2024). "Oscars: Jordan Selects Doc 'My Sweet Land' For International Feature Film Race". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  10. ↑ Nayyar, Rhea (November 13, 2024). "Jordan Withdraws Artsakh Film From Oscars, Citing "Diplomatic Pressures"". Hyperallergic . Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  11. ↑ Goodfellow, Melanie; Carey, Matthew (November 8, 2024). "Jordan Drops 'My Sweet Land' As Its Oscar Entry For Best International Feature, "Due To Diplomatic Pressures"". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  12. ↑ Vivarelli, Nick (November 15, 2024). "'My Sweet Land' Team on Their Doc Being Pulled as Jordan's Oscar Entry Due to Pressure From Azerbaijan: 'This Means That Censorship and Silencing Can Win'". Variety . Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  13. ↑ Avedian, Lillian (November 20, 2024). "My Sweet Land team determined to reach global audiences". The Armenian Weekly . Retrieved December 1, 2024.
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