Hye Sharzhoom, January 1980

              January 11,1980
Hye Sharzhoom
Page 3
Hye Culture
'Meetings with Remarkable Men'
:
By Barlow Der Mugrdechian
"Meetings with Remarkable
Men," a movie directed by Peter
Brook, is one of the rare films to
combine both fine craftsmanship
and a strong message.
The movie traces the story of one
of the more famous mystics of the
20th century, Georges Ivanovitch
Gurdjieff, as he matures into fame.
Gurdjieff, who grew up in the war-
torn atmosphere of early 20th
century Russia and Turkey, was
born of a Greek father and an
Armenian mother.
Chronicling his childhood and
adolescence, the movie follows
Gurdjieff's travels in his search for
the ultimate truths of man's
existence. Gurdjieff's search takes
him throughout the Caucasus
region where he was born.
Traveling by himself, or with
companions, Gurdjieff relentlessly
pursues his quest. Finding various
ancient texts and meeting with holy
men of various religions, Gurdjieff
develops a philosophy that was to
guide him for the rest of his life.
The movie was done in the richly
authentic lands of Gurdjieff's
homeland. With a musical score
reflecting the background of the
Caucasus, the viewer is transported
to the region. One of the more
unusual scenes in the movie
unfolds as Gurdjieff is traveling in
the desert and is engulfed in a
swirling sandstorm. His ingenious
method of escape is very interesting.
The cast, headed by Yugoslavian
actor Dragon Maximovic playing
Grudjieff, is of a decidedly foreign
flavor. The acting is almost
overshadowed by the cinematographic sweep of the movie. But for
the most the part the acting is as
natural as the setting.
"Meetings with Remarkable
Men" does not meet the criterion
of an escapist, light entertainment
feature. It requires the active
participation of the viewing
audience. The movie, however,
does meet the criterion of being
one of the fine movies of 1979.
I
Poetry of Armenia
By Barlow Der Mugrdechian
Poetry is a strong medium in any
culture. But in the case of the Armenian
culture, poetry expresses the aspirations,
thoughts and feelings of the people in a
way not found in its literature or music. In
the clear, precise language of poetry,
Armenians have expressed universal
themes of love and justice as well as the
thoughts unique to the Armenian
experience. The poems accurately reflect
the distinct historical experiences of the
Armenian people.
The following is a cross section of the
more famous poets in the Modern era of
Armenian poetry. The poems have been
translated by Diana Der Hovanessian and
Marzbed Margossian.
Small
Yes, we are small
the smallest pebble
in a field of stones.
But have you felt the hurtle
of pebbles pitched
from a mountain top?
Small,
as the smallest mountain stream
storing rapids, currents,
unknown to wide and lazy valley rivers.
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Armenian films featured in CSUF class
"The Armenian Experience
Through Film" was closely
examined by Dr. Dickran
Kouymjian and more than 20
students at Cal State University,
Fresno on Dec. 1 and 8.
The one-credit extension course
explored a wide variety of topics,
both Armenian and non-Armenian,
through 10 diverse films. Each film
was followed by lengthy discussion
led by Dr. Kouymjian.
The morning of Saturday, Dec. 1,
was devoted to documentary films.
The course opened with "Story of a
Nation: Birth and Rebirth,"
produced by the Fresno United
Armenian Commemorative
Committee. Two other film images
of minority groups followed:
"Black and White: Uptight" and
"Strangers in Their Own Land: The
Chicanos."
The class, however, reserved its
most favorable comments for Dr. J.
Michael Hagopian's award-
winning "The Armenian Case: the
Forgotten Genocide."
The day culminated with
"Shadows of Our Forgotten
Ancestors," the most brilliant work
of the gifted Soviet director Sergei
Paradjanov (Sarkis Paradjanian).
Paradjanov, born in Tiflis in 1924,
forged a new film-making style with
"Shadows," and, subsequently won
international critical acclaim. The
Soviet authorities, however, did not
appreciate his renown.
In 1974 the outspoken Paradjanov was imprisoned after publicly
defending Ukrainian intellectuals.
Paradjanov's film also became
suspect and since his release in Jan.
1978, Paradjanov has been
forbidden to practice his profession.
Nevertheless, "Shadows" (1964)
remains a powerful testimony to
Paradjanov's exceptional cinematographic technique. The plot deals
with the painful loves of a young
Moldavian peasant but the viewer is
simultaneously overwhelmed by
Paradjanov's artful depiction of
Moldavian folk customs and the
striking scenario of the Carpathian
Mountains.
Five films were shown Saturday,
Dec. 8, including two commercial
movies made by Armenian
directors.
Roupen Manoulian's "Dr. Jeckyll
and Mr. Hyde" (1932) dominated
the morning hours. Mamoulian is
best remembered for the many
innovations he brought to the film
industry. He was also an incisive
student of human nature. His classic
film adaptation of Robert Louis
Stevenson's novella captures the
profound statements of the author.
The final film of the course,
Richard Sarrafian's "Vanishing
Point" (1971), portrayed one man's
attempt to rationalize an irrational
world. Although neither "Dr.
Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde" or "Vanishing Point" dealt with Armenian
subjects, both movies provided an
insight into the two noted
Armenian directors.
Three other short productions
were also shown: The UACC's
"Armenian Folktales," rare 1930
footage of a Ramgavar picnic in
New York and "Blessing of the Holy
Oil in Etchmiadzin." Many of these
same films will be included in the
CSUF Armenian Students Organization's film festival scheduled for
April.
Also in the spring semester, Dr.
Kouymjian will offer one-credit
courses on "David of Sassoun" (T-
TH, 1910-2000) and "The Armenian
World of Richard Hagopian (March
21-22 only).
e--e-.-e
Patikian Scholarship
offered at CSUF
CSUF will again offer the Charles K.
Patikian   and   Pansy   Patekian   Zloko-
vich scholarships to students of Armenian descent.
The scholarships are given annually,
or as deemed appropriate, to students
with a demonstrated interest in Armenian culture. Financial need is also
taken into consideration. ;
Enrollment in  Armenian  Studies
classes fulfills the requirement for a
"demonstrated interest in Armenian."
JUMMUUUUUUUUUUUUJU
Small,
like the bullet in the bore
of the rifle;
small as the corn waiting to sprout.
Small
as the pinch of salt
that seasons the table.
Small, yes
you have compressed us, world,
into a diamond.
Small,
you have dispersed us,
scattered us like stars.
We are everywhere in your vision.
Small, but our borders stretch
from Piuragan telescopes to the moon,
from Lousavan back to Urartu.
Small as the grain of marvelous Uranium which
cannot be broken down, put out or consumed.
Kevork Emin (born 1919)
I Love The Sun-Baked Taste of
Armenian Words
I love the sun-baked taste of Armenian
words,
their lament like ancient lutes, the bend,
of blood-red flowering roses in the
accents,
the lilt of Naiyirian steps still danced by
girls.
I love the arch of skies, the faceted waters
running through its syllables; the
mountain
weather, the meanest hut that bred this
tongue.
I love the thousand year-old city stones.
Wherever I go, I take its mournful music,
its steel-forged letters turned to prayers.
However sharp its wounds, and drained
of blood,
or orphaned, for my homesick heart
there is no other balm.
No brow, no mind like Nareg's,
Kouchag's.
No greater utterance. No mountain reach
like the peak of Ararat.
Search the world there is no crest so
white.
So like an unreached road to glory.
Massis.
(No other language tells my want.)
Eghishe Charents (1897-1937)
justice
There is something in this world,
called Justice.
Compensation, Restitution
are its other names.
But never Punctual.
On the contrary it always comes
too late, Like a missed love,
timed wrong, worse when it arrives
than if it never had come.
Causing more pain.
There is something in this world
named Justice that arrives late
to find a new name on its door,
Injustice.
Maro Markarian (born 1915)
The ''Hye Sharzhoom" encourages
readers to submit original poetry and
prose for publication.