Ararat (2002)
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55% of critics liked it
(76 reviews) -
68% of users liked it
(4,539 ratings)
Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan explores his Armenian heritage, and how the country's tragic history has touched several generations of the nation's expatriates, in this ambitious drama. Edward Saroyan (Charles Aznavour), a veteran filmmaker of Armenian descent, is in Toronto shooting a film… More Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan explores his Armenian heritage, and how the country's tragic history has touched several generations of the nation's expatriates, in this ambitious drama. Edward Saroyan (Charles Aznavour), a veteran filmmaker of Armenian descent, is in Toronto shooting a film about the Siege of Van, in which invading Ottoman armies forced the evacuation of Armenian communities in 1915, leading to the genocide of over a million Armenian people at the hands of Turkish troops. Twenty-one-year-old Raffi (David Alpay) has been sent to Turkey to shoot background footage for the film; Raffi's mother Ani (Arsinee Khanjian), an author and historian, is also involved in the project as a consultant. Lately Raffi and Ani have been at odds; Raffi has been dating Celia (Marie-Josee Croze), Ani's stepdaughter, who is convinced that Ani is somehow responsible for the death of her father. Ani's first husband, who was Raffi's father, is also dead, after taking part in an assassination attempt on a Turkish political leader. As Raffi attempts to re-enter Canada with cans of exposed film, he's detained by David (Christopher Plummer), a suspicious customs official who has his own tenuous link to Saroyan's film -- David is struggling to come to terms with the gay lifestyle of his son Philip (Brent Carver), whose lover Ali (Elias Koteas) is playing the villain in the picture. Ararat also features Eric Bogosian and Bruce Greenwood. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Atom Egoyan
- Written By
- Atom Egoyan
- Genres
- Drama
- In Theaters
- Nov 15, 2002 Wide
- Studio
- Miramax Films
Critic Reviews
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Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News
Egoyan's movie is too complicated to sustain involvement, and, if you'll excuse a little critical heresy, too intellectually ambitious.
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Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
The work of an artist tormented by his heritage, using his storytelling ability to honor the many faceless victims.
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Desson Thomson, Washington Post
In a strange way, Egoyan has done too much. He's worked too hard on this movie.
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Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
It's a deeply serious movie that cares passionately about its subject, but too often becomes ponderous in its teaching of history, or lost in the intricate connections and multiple timelines of its story.
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Glenn Lovell, San Jose Mercury News
Given the convoluted approach -- and tongue-tied delivery -- we're left to conclude that Egoyan's emotions got the better of him this time.
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Cast
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David Alpay
as Raffi
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Charles Aznavour
as Edward Saroyan
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Eric Bogosian
as Rouben
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Brent Carver
as Philip
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Marie-Josée Croze
as Celia
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Bruce Greenwood
as Martin/Clarence Ussher
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Arsinée Khanjian
as Ani
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Elias Koteas
as Ali/Jevdet Bey
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Christopher Plummer
as David
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Simon Abkarian
as Arshile Gorky
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Christie MacFadyen
as Janet
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Susan Raymond
as German Woman
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Rose Sarkisyan
as Translator
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Gina Wilkinson
as Art Teacher
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Max Morrow
as Tony
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Jean Yoon
as Third Assistent Director
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Raoul Bhaneja
as Photographer
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Roberta Angelica
as Armenian Bride
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Lousnak
as Shushan Gorky
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Erica Ehm
as Journalist
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Lousnak Abdalian
as Gorky's Mother
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Garen Boyajian
as Young Gorky
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Setta Keshishian
as Wailing Mother
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Shant Srabian
as Doctor 1
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Dawn Roach
as Customs Officer
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Haig Sarkissian
as Sevan
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Arshile Egoyan
as Child At Gallery
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Kevork Arslanian
as Armenian Fighter
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Vic Keshishian
as Armenian Fighter
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Arthur Hagopian
as Armenian Fighter
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George Kharlakian
as Armenian Fighter
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Shant Kabriellan
as Armenian Fighter
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Varazh Stephen
as Doctor 2
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Samir Alnadi
as Turkish Officer
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Carlo Essagian
as Turkish Soldier
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Chris Gillett
as Celia's Father
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Shahan Bulat-Matossian
as Wounded Teen Patient
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Manuel Ishkhanian
as Teen Patient's Brother
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Lorna Noura Kevorkian
as Armenian Bride
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Mandyf Nissani
as Armenian Bride
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Manal Elmasri
as Armenian Bride
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Andrea Loren
as Armenian Bride
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Araxie Keshishian
as Armenian Bride
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Linda Gizirian
as Rape Victim
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Nicole Anoush Strang
as Girl Under Cart