About Him or How He Did Not Fear the Bear

  • 112'
  • Armenia
  • 2019

How does society react to a pointless attack, to violence without any clear motive? The community in the Armenian city of Gyumri faces this conundrum when a Russian soldier kills seven members of a family. Nariné Mkrtchyan and Arsen Azatyan use shots of the real protests following the slaughter but fictionalise the true event. Their soldier is called Ivan, just like the fool from Russian folklore, who they have interwoven into their narrative in a children’s show.

The film focuses on the aftermath of the drama, with the characters symbolising the contradictory reactions evoked by events. The soldier is arrested, but war veterans Vahan and Sargis demand retribution and will do this themselves if necessary. The priest Avetis, however, calls on the people to keep calm and patient, while Vahan’s young wife Ani is very concerned. They each seek in their own way to recover the dignity taken from them.

Directors
Nariné Mkrtchyan, Arsen Azatyan
Premiere
World premiere
Country of production
Armenia
Year
2019
Festival Edition
IFFR 2019
Length
112'
Medium
DCP
Original title
Nra masin kam te inchpes na chvakhetsav arjits
Language
Armenian
Producers
Nariné Mkrtchyan, Arsen Azatyan
Production Company
Aysor-Plus Film Productions
Sales
Aysor-Plus Film Productions
Screenplay
Nariné Mkrtchyan, Arsen Azatyan
Cinematography
Arthur Ustyan
Editor
Nariné Mkrtchyan, Arsen Azatyan
Production Design
Gevorg Poghosyan
Sound Design
Arsen Azatyan, Nariné Mkrtchyan
Music
Aram Khachaturian
Cast
Armen Abelyan, Robert Hakobyan, Narine Petrosyan, Samvel Asatryan, Mesrop Tsaghikyan, Mher Gasparyan, Aliaksei Marmurok
Directors
Nariné Mkrtchyan, Arsen Azatyan
Premiere
World premiere
Country of production
Armenia
Year
2019
Festival Edition
IFFR 2019
Length
112'
Medium
DCP
Original title
Nra masin kam te inchpes na chvakhetsav arjits
Language
Armenian
Producers
Nariné Mkrtchyan, Arsen Azatyan
Production Company
Aysor-Plus Film Productions
Sales
Aysor-Plus Film Productions
Screenplay
Nariné Mkrtchyan, Arsen Azatyan
Cinematography
Arthur Ustyan
Editor
Nariné Mkrtchyan, Arsen Azatyan
Production Design
Gevorg Poghosyan
Sound Design
Arsen Azatyan, Nariné Mkrtchyan
Music
Aram Khachaturian
Cast
Armen Abelyan, Robert Hakobyan, Narine Petrosyan, Samvel Asatryan, Mesrop Tsaghikyan, Mher Gasparyan, Aliaksei Marmurok