‘Karine’ is no ordinary film, but an incredible fusion of an Ottoman operetta and Soviet Armenian filmmaking, directed by an Iranian-Armenian filmmaker Arman Manarian. It features a cast of almost exclusively diasporan artists, who immigrated to Armenia and is sung by the biggest stars of the Armenian opera, Gohar Gasparyan and Tigran Levonyan. The film marries the joyful storylines and melodies of the operetta to its unusual, stunning set and cinematography.

We were very pleased to partner with Kino Klassika in screening this entertaining gem at the beautiful cinema of the Institut Francais, Cine Lumiere. There were lots of interesting facts and analysis to be learned before the screening from the panel discussion with sociologist Dr Hratch Tchilingirian, opera singer Aris Nadirian, and curator Justine Waddel. We heard about the incredible backstory of ‘Leblebiji Hor-Hor Aga’, written in Turkish, then translated into many other languages, staged in various countries, and then being renamed and adapted into a much-loved film in Armenia.

But most importantly, we laughed a lot - we laughed at our angry chickpea seller, and the groom scheming how to marry Karine without her father’s approval, his bossy aunt and the confused baker acting as a priest. It was wonderful to hear Western Armenian - sadly an endangered language now - sounding so lively and vibrant.

Here are some pictures from the reception after the screening and it was wonderful to catch up with old and new friends.

You can also listen to one of the most famous songs - The Chorus of Leblebijis here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAdvD_uCRTk