"HAGOPIAN’S SEVEN FILMS ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE HAVE FINALLY GOTTEN UNDER THE SKIN OF THE TURKS. BUT THE TURKS WILL FIND HIS UPCOMING RELEASE OF GERMANY AND THE SECRET GENOCIDE AS HIS MOST SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION. IT IS THE MOST POWERFUL VISION OF ARMENIANS YET PRODUCED." -British jurist David Woolley.
LOS ANGELES – The Armenian Film Foundation will premiere its new film "Germany and the Secret Genocide" on Thursday–May 15.
The film documen’s how German diplomats and soldiers denied and covered up the deaths of Armenia’s at the hands of Turkish soldiers in 1915. Some of the German’soldiers who denied and covered up the deaths later went on to serve under Hitler during World War II. The premiere will be held at 7 p.m. at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences–5230 Lankershim Boulevard–North Hollywood.
"Germany and the Secret Genocide" was directed and produced by Emmy-nominee Dr. J. Michael Hagopian. He utilizes emotional videotaped interviews with Genocide survivors and witnesses–rare German documen’s and letters and expert interviews to relate this horrific event.
"This film was designed as a memorial for those who lost their lives in the Genocide and to inspire and educate Armenia’s living outside of the country about their culture and the history of their ancestors," said Hagopian. "Part of that commitment means telling the truth about history–including the fact that Germany looked the other way as millions were slaughtered simply because they needed Turkey’s support during the war."
"Germany and the Secret Genocide" is the second installment in the Armenian Film Foundation’s "Witnesses" trilogy. As part of the project–the Armenian-born director has filmed almost 400 eyewitness interviews throughout the world–capturing their accounts of the Armenian Genocide. Of the 11 people featured in "Germany and the Secret Genocide," only one is still alive.
Dr. Hagopian put aside his career as a political science and economics professor at University of California–Los Angeles to pursue a career developing educational films and documentaries. His dedication has earned him numerous awards–including Emmy nominations for the writing and production of "The Forgotten Genocide," the first feature length film on the subject.
The premiere is being sponsored by the George Ignatius Foundation–which was created by the late Armenian benefactor to promote Armenian history and culture.