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.

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.

Beautifully acted, sensitive and touching, this movie uses humor and pain to tell a a unique story of an Armenian Genocide survivor. Michael Goorjian is tremendously talented as star, writer, director. His tearful eyes are the heart of this movie. His acting is tremendous, worthy of an Oscar nomination. I hope he becomes a household name in Hollywood. He deserves it! Everyone should be able to appreciate this wonderful story, but as an Armenian, I am so proud of this beautiful film! Loved all the many references showing Mt. Ararat as the symbol of the strength and beauty of the Armenian people.

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.