Amerikatsi

This film is easily one of my favourites this year. The casting is spot on and the film showcases its story in a way that doesn't make you feel like you're watching it, more like you're breathing it. Particularly being an individual who grew up in a post Soviet state the nostalgia and the experience feels like it was my own. I was excited to see this movie when it was originally announced and it did not disappoint by any means. The exploration of trauma and freedom is one of my favourite aspects of this film and I imagine that anyone watching this film can connect deeply with those feelings. Can't wait to watch it again soon.

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.

"Americatsi" is a triumph of human spirit over the ugliness and brutality of the dark side.

In a world that the "regime" under the pretense of "good for all" crushes every attempt for happiness by Charlie (our naive hero), and tries to to punish his spirit in every possible way, he keeps on fighting even when he has nothing to fight with other than his smile.

Of course the regime can not enforce its evil without help from its agents: ... some agents are complete evil (like the buractrat woman in the pison) ... some are partly evil (like the warden who does a good balancing act, who tries to pepper his wrongs with some good deeds) ... some know they are pawns in the game and try their best to avoid helping evil (like the prison guard who brings food for Charlie) ... some are innocent souls stuck in that hell (like Tigran the guard at the tower); he is a kind soul that suffers the most...much more than Charlie. Tigran's suffering gets exasperated when he gets a macabre reward.

At the end, Stalin the invisible antagonist who is personification of evil, is dead; though the game goes on, perhaps forever.

Our naieve hero, Charlie, knows that but he does not care; he knows that nothing can steal his spirit away and he will always have that magical weapon with him.

"Americatsi" is a simple story about a simple man... but it tells a graet story about the spirit of mankind...

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.

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.