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The eminent Armenian composer Komitas, born Soghomon (Westernized as Solomon), clumsily flits in and out of Arman Nshanian’s “Songs of Solomon,” his figure used as a historical marker in a drama designed to draw attention to the Hamidian massacres perpetrated against the Armenians in the 1890s. Despite the shocking number of deaths, estimated at between 200,000 to 300,000, the atrocities tend to receive little attention when compared with the Armenian Genocide two decades later, so while any focus is welcome, it’s deeply frustrating that “Songs” does it so poorly. , making it a natural for submission as Armenia’s foreign Oscar candidate. Less understandable is Nick Vallelonga’s involvement as producer.

The story is narrated by Sevil (Arevik Gevorgyan), a fictionalized Turkish woman who, together with her Armenian chum Sona, befriends Soghomon in 1881 when they’re all children in the western Anatolian town of Kütahya (also known as Koutina). This was a time,...

Exclusive: Cloudburst Entertainment has acquired rights to Songs of Solomon, Armenia’s official entry for this year’s International Feature Film Oscar race. The drama, directed by Arman Nshanian, who also produced the pic with Oscar-winning Green Book producer and co-writer Nick Vallelonga and Asko Akopyan, will get a 2021 release date.

Nshanian’s feature directorial debut, written by Audrey Gevorkian based on a true story, centers on a brave Turkish woman who, at a time of dire prejudice during the Hamidian massacres, risks her own life and the life of her family to save her best friend who is hunted down for her religious beliefs. The pic spans 1881-1915 in Constantinople and culminates in the last concert given by Archbishop Solomon, the composer also known as Komitas. Samvel Tadevossian, Arevik Gevorgyan, Tatev Hovakimyan, Sos Janibekyan, Nshanian, Artashes Aleksanyan and Jean-Pier Nshanian star.

“Songs of Solomon explores a difficult time in...

"Come with me, my child. Take my hand." A new trailer has been released for an international film titled Songs of Solomon, made by Armenian actor Arman Nshanian. He was initially going to make it as a short film, but turned into a full feature instead thanks to the push of producers. Inspired by true events, this is a film about a childhood friendship, torn apart by the horrific Hamidian massacres infiltrated by the Ottoman Empire under the rule of Sultan Abdul Hamid II (1894-1896). This epic portrayal spans from 1881, to 1915, Constantinople, taking us on an emotional and epic musical journey to the last concert given by Archbishop Komitas. A musical and biographical film which takes place on the backdrop of the sacred and ancient music of Archbishop Komitas, also known as Solomon. The film stars Samvel Tadevossian, Sos Janibekyan, Tatev Hovakimyan, Artashes Aleksanyan, Arman Nshanian, Arev Gevorkian, as well as Jean-Pier Nshanian.

Armenia has selected Arman Nshanian’s historial drama Songs of Solomon as its official submission for the 93rd Academy Awards’ International Feature Film category.

Written by Audrey Gevorkian, Nshanian’s first feature highlights the life and impact of composer Archbishop Solomon, also now known as Komitas. The film will also follow a childhood friendship torn apart by the Maidian massacres infiltrated by the Ottoman Empire. Songs of Solomon centers a brave Turkish woman as she risks her own life and family to save her best friend targeted for her religious beliefs. Songs of Solomon spans from 1881 to 1915 and takes inspiration from Sirvart Kavoukjian’s The Past Unsung.

Songs of Solomon features Samvel Tadevossian, Arevik Gevorgyan, Tatev Hovakimyan, Sos Janibekyan, Arman Nshanian, Artashes Aleksanyan and Jean-Pier Nshanian. Slava Seyranyan, Iren Ayvazyan and Mery Hovsepyan also appear in the film.

The feature, which premiered on Nov. 26 in Armenia, is produced by Nick Vallelonga...

Armenia has chosen Arman Nshanian’s feature film debut “Songs of Solomon” as its official submission to the 93rd Academy Awards in the international feature film category.

“Songs of Solomon,” written by Audrey Gevorkian and based on “The Past Unsung” by Sirvart Kavoukjian, explores the life of the composer Archbishop Solomon, also known as Komitas, who had a profound impact on ethnomusicology. It centers on a childhood friendship, torn apart by the Hamidian massacres in the 1890s as a brave Turkish woman at a time of dire prejudice risks her own life and the life of her family to save her best friend, who is hunted down for her religious beliefs. The film spans the period from 1881 to 1915, which marks both the Armenian Genocide and Komitas’ final concert.

“Songs of Solomon” stars Samvel Tadevossian, Arevik Gevorgyan, Tatev Hovakimyan, Sos Janibekyan, Arman Nshanian, Artashes Aleksanyan and Jean-Pier Nshanian along with child actors Slava Seyranyan,...