Deadline expects ‘Amerikatsi’ to be included in Oscar shortlist

Filmmaker Michael Goorjian set out to create a different kind of film about Armenian nationality when developing ‘Amerikatsi’. Along with directing, Goorjian also stars as Charlie, an American who repatriates to Armenia after World War II—but ends up in a Soviet prison for simply wearing a tie. The circumstances are absurd and bleak, but Goorjian was intent on finding a light, affirming tone for the story, writes Variety.

“There had been a lot of Armenian films usually focused on the genocide. I just wanted to make something that would be hopeful. But also I wanted to make a film that Armenians could be proud of, but wouldn’t be hard to share — that was enjoyable to watch,” Goorjian shared in a conversation with Armenian-Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan. “Today there’s so much crazy stuff going on. And we forget about the side of humanity that’s essentially good. That’s not a theme that’s reflected in films all that much.”

Egoyan has become one of ‘Amerikatsi’s’ biggest fans since the film debuted at the Woodstock Film Festival last year.

“One of the goals of the film was to help support Armenia in a way that I felt as an artist was the best way I could do,” Goorjian said.

It should be noted that Deadline believes that ‘Amerikatsi’ has every chance to appear on the Oscar shortlist, which will be announced on December 21.