Amerikatsi

Amerikatsi is about a man named Charlie who was born in Armenia only to flee the country during the Genocide. After World War II, the leader of USSR Joseph Stalin, offered money to all Armenians living in the diaspora who want to return to Armenia to have a new better life. Charlie who is played by Michael Goorjian returns to the motherland only to be wrongfully imprisoned by the Soviet enforced Armenian prison. During his time he learned more about his culture while he watched a couple from his prison window. He lived vigorously thru the couple, eating, drinking, and cleaning while they do their chores. Much like Roberto Begnini in Life is Beautiful the storyline, direction, and cinematic background were beautifully filmed in Armenia. This movie definitely deserves an Oscar for best Foreign Film let alone Best Picture. Amerikatsi means American Armenian and I hope this film receives the same respect as Begnini's movie. I know most of you won't bother but trust me when I tell you it's a great movie. Michael created, produced, directed and acted while Serj Tankian helped produce it. Definitely add this to your list.

I just finished watching this movie with my husband and I have no words. Truly magnificent! I felt so many emotions. It was so beautifully done that the same scene that made me sad turned into humor and laughter the next minute. And the way the main character looked out the window from his prison cell and learned about his culture was so cleverly done. Amazing acting, beautiful costumes, clever lines. I highly recommend this movie and already told so many of my friends to watch this. My parents would definitely enjoy this movie as well considering they grew up in the Soviet Union up to the point it collapsed.

I found this movie to be very touching, factually accurate, and so well acted. The movie recounts the historically correct campaign by Stalin (who controlled Armenia in the late 40's) when he was enticing Armenians from other countries to leave their countries and move to Armenia. He appealed to their desire to start a better life in their new "homeland".. Needless to say, life in Armenia was very difficult and not what was advertised. Without giving away the plot, the movie is structured through the eyes of an Armenian from America. Great verbal and non verbal acting from the main characters, splashes of humor, flashes of humanity, some plot twists, and very timely. Go see this movie. You will not regret it.

This touching emotive picture proves that we still have not used up topics and themes focused on the life in the communist era based on real events, because Amerikatsi comes with a pleasant and quite fresh new take on this genre. Instead of showing the events of this film in a serious dramatic way, Amerikatsi managed to take a much lighter route, which still feels deep and profound, but offers more subtle and gentle way to show the hardship of the communist regime in Europe. Even though the story takes place in Armenia the plot could seem somehow familiar to many who were born in Eastern Europe and their nation used to belong to the Soviet Union, so in that sense it is quite a relatable picture that the viewers could connect with. I also loved how Amerikatsi did not try to be a big succesful Holywood movie and opted for much more intimate approach instead. Overall I was very pleased with this picture and in the end actually a bit moved.

I just finished watching Amerikatsi & felt compelled to immediately write a review. This is the best film I've seen all year. Michael Goorjian's performance was Oscar-worthy. Truly spectacular! The storyline was so touching - we all got emotional. Armenians have collectively been in mourning since the 2020 Karabagh war but this film gives us a healthy distraction from the trauma & reminds us that even though we've gone through endless hardships, we always persevere & never lose hope. This is a movie for everyone, not just Armenians. It's a movie that all your family & friends can enjoy, regardless of skin color or religious background. Amerikatsi will leave a mark on your heart.