Le voyage en Arménie (2006) User Reviews

A search for a doubt instead of a certitude...

[auberus · 8/10 · 9 July 2006]

For weeks I wanted to see "Le voyage en Arménie" from Robert Guédiguian and finally I saw it… I've just realized I know Robert Guédiguian and saw 9 years ago another movie from him called "Marius et Jeannette", movie that indeed marked my heart.

"Le voyage en Arménie", is about Anna a French doctor sure of herself whose father is having hearts problem and decides to go back to Armenia his country of origin instead of having a surgical intervention. Anna who never really got along with her father and was never brought up within the Armenian culture decides to go to Armenia to look for him.

Now I can hear you saying: this is an Armenian movie for Armenian people… Well, let me respond that I am not Armenian and that it is more a true film made for real people.

In her "initiatic" journey Anna will encounter numerous characters that will help her understand a country, a culture, a dad. All over sudden nothing is certain anymore and Anna doubts herself, her choices, what she believes in...But in this doubt the certitude of what is important might very well emerge and "le voyage en Arménie" becomes a "voyage" not only into Anna but also into everyone of us…

Robert Guédiguian reinvents the meaning of the word beautiful by taking away the notion of plastic and replacing it by the notion of sincerity. In this task he is helped by terrific actresses and actors who seem to tell their own stories… "Le voyage an Arménie" is a beautiful movie, not only because everything from writing to editing perfectly serve the story, but also because all those elements trigger true emotions and make us realize what Cinema is all about

Art Of Darkness

[writers_reign · 8/10 · 11 July 2006]

About the only thing I know about Armenia is that it gave the world William Saroyan, Ross Bagdavarian and Alvin And The Chipmunks. Now Marseilles born but, it turns out, Armeniian extracted Robert Guediguian has shot his latest movie there so that theoretically we get a chance to learn something about the place. Essentially this is our old friend Heart Of Darkness under another name and instead of Kurtz we have that superb actress Ariane Ascaride ostensibly searching for her father and journeying of course not just geographically but spiritually to respectively Armenia and her own soul. Long thought of as a filmmaker dealing exclusively with his home town Guediguian has also produced lighter fare such as Crustaces et Coquillages and here he takes yet another tack with a vehicle designed for and co-written by his wife supported by regular Gerard Meylan and Jean-Pierre Larroussin the latter albeit in a cameo prior to the journey. Once again Guediguian and Ascaride deliver despite the fact that this may not be everyone's cup of tea. Whichever way it's a welcome addition to the canon.

"Le Voyage en Arménie" is exactly that and not much more

[LeRoyMarko · 6/10 · 2 April 2007]

I didn't know much about Armenia and was very interested to learn more. And the movie works on that front. It could almost be used as promotional material by the country's tourist bureau. But beside the fact that we get to know more about this small country, there's not really any point to see this film. Yes, it talks about the relationship between father and daughter and also about the feelings of those who live in exile, but everything stays on the surface. And, you know, there's just some little things that bug me: the daughter that picks up the language a little bit too fast or the father who seems to be known by everybody even though he hasn't set foot in the country for decades. Just small details that plays in the balance when it's time to rate a movie.

Seen in Toronto, at the Royal, on April 1st, 2007. Shown during Cinéfranco.

72/100 (**)

Guédiguian returns home

[gicbd · 10/10 · 3 September 2006]

Having always enjoyed Robert Guédiguian's films, the chance to see his latest movie in the lovely Boite à Images cinema in Brignoles was eagerly taken. This is another fabulous piece from this director, with several of his by now familiar faces in evidence (Gérard Meylan, Ariane Ascaride, Jean-Pierre Darroussin). Ariane Ascaride in particular is superb again (I cannot remember a poor performance from her) and, according to the credits, it was she who was largely responsible for this movie's story and for the movie happening. Guédiguian starts off on his (French) home territory, but soon afterwards the story moves to a very different Armenian background. Beautifully played by all the actors, and gentle in style, this is a movie that says so much about people and about their relationships, in a context with which many viewers (cetainly I know very little about Armenia) will be unfamiliar. There are elements of comedy, drama, and even travelogue, but all delivered in Guégiguian's unique and inimitable manner. Whether you are familiar already with his work or not, this film will not disappoint, and may well leave you wanting more of the director and his regular players. Go see!

Fun and well-done movie which conveys an important message to think about

[psixeya · 9/10 · 28 April 2007]

Well-done, with fine sense of humor typical for Robert Guediguian and with great soundtrack music. I really enjoyed it. It's one of those movies that make you think over certain relationships and concepts without any dramatic turns or any pressure. It's pretty obvious that the movie is not just about a trip to some small country (as one of the reviewers suggested above) but about re- defining one's identity (and here I mean not just ethnic identity) and discovering a whole new world which at first may seem terrifying and crazy, but eventually leads to re-shaping old attitudes and stereotypes and finding lost roots and spirituality. In some ways, it's autobiographical, as Robert Guediguian is French-Armenian as the main personage, Anna, and I guess, it is his own personal story of discovering his roots and rethinking his relationship with his Armenian father. Overall, it's professionally done as any other movie by Robert Guediguian and is based on first-hand experience, thus is sincere and colorful.

A wonderful film that means a lot to Armenian diaspora members

[Isa_HE · 29 December 2006]

In this film, you will find a vibrant picture of todays Armenia. This small country that tries to find a place between Asia & Europe, still in a tough economic transition, strongly connected to the western world by its diaspora and the will & hope of all Armenians. This film is also a bridge between Marseille's Armenian community and Armenia. From l'Estaque, Montolivet, St Jerome etc..., Marseillais will recognize here the strong links that are still alive and activated each time Armenia needs help & support. Finally, "le voyage en Armenie"/"Armenia" is also about the relationship between a woman and her father which raises the interesting question of transmitting a memory, a culture through generation and what is the Armenian culture about : is-it language ? Cooking Manti or Lavash ? Or simply making the flame still alive and never forget the ones that where left behind (in the Syrian desert for example : ( ? More than a film...indeed.