The Chosen Ones
Short film Completed 2016
Director
Arman Yeritsyan
Doc Society helped with
Impact
A group of solitarily elderly individuals, neglected by society, find unity in an amateur dance troupe and prove to the world through their performances that they still have dreams of love, hopes for the future, and can amaze audience with their spirits.
Long Film Synopsis
Mikhail, in his 80’s, has buried himself alive in the tons of garbage that he has gathered from the streets over the last 15 years. Hovsep, in his 70’s, is so greedy with his possessions that he doesn’t want to share his apartment even with a wife. Anahit, in her 60’s, lives in an empty apartment with the souls of her 8 children and husband.
There are 15 of them. Solitary, needy and neglected by society. There are two things that keep them together – dinners at the soup kitchen and their performances…
They had never danced; they didn’t think that they could ever dance. But, after 2 years of rehearsals, they already dance on stages in front of hundreds. Even though they are not great dancers, “The Chosen Ones” have won audiences all over the country with their childish energy and elderly naivety. They seem extremely happy when they dance, but clumsy moves hide the loneliness and personal drama they are trying to overcome.
Each performance they have may be the last one, yet they are full of aspirations to be the first and the best. Dance and friendship have changed the lives of all “The Chosen Ones”, they have found a new passion and a reason to live.
Through the stories of “The Chosen Ones’ the film will show that at any moment in life, no matter what hardships an individual has faced, there is always a chance to turn it all around, still dream, amaze and wonder!
Outreach Work Supported
Screenings and discussions around social welfare of elderly in Armenia.
Crew
Arman Yeritsyan
Director
Arman Yeritsan is one of the most well-known and successful documentary film directors in Armenia. He began his career at National and International TV channels such as “Internews Armenia” and “Russia Today”. His documentaries have been aired on ARTE (Germany/France); NHK (Japan); ITVS (USA); YLE (Finland), and SVT (Sweden).
Arman has taught workshops and master classes at Moscow State University, VGIK, Russian Internews, and Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinema. He has been a jury member at “Golden Apricot” IFF, Banff World Media Festival, “Russia” Doc FF, “Saratov Sufferings” IFF, “Message to Man” IFF.
• Donkeymentary (2012), 52’, broadcasted on ARTE
• 15 Young by Young: Kings for Sale (2012), 15min, Bars Media, Avantis Promo, Alegria Productions, for ARTE
•The Last Tightrope Dancer in Armenia (2010), 72’ co-production with NHK, ITVS, YLE, SVT and TVP
• Hello Felini (2006)
• Under the Open Sky (2005)
Established in 1993 by Vardan Hovhannisyan, Bars Media’s has broadcast its documentaries on BBC, PBS, ARTE, WDR, NHK, YLE and others. Located in Armenia, the studio is uniquely positioned at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and covers a wide range of stories from the region.
The Studio’s award winning documentaries include A Story of People in War and Peace and The Last Tightrope Dancer in Armenia. Bars Media recently completed Donkeymentary and currently developing full-length nature documentaries and series, such as Elephant Soldiers and Hot Archeology .
Producer/Vardan Hovhannisyan
Vardan Hovhannisyan was a freelance cameraman and covering the hot regions and ethnic conflicts related to the post-Soviet transition for the international news from 1988 to 1991. In 1993 he established Bars Media. His film “A Story of People in War and Peace” (co-production with BBC, ITVS, ARTE, WDR, YLE) is a powerful, personal understanding of the human costs of war. The film has won over 20 international awards including the FIPRESCI prize and Best Documentary Filmmaker Award at Tribeca Film Festival.
