"The country of Arto, orchestrates the commencement of the Locarno Film Festival, under the flag of cinematography"
In the heart of the Locarno Film Festival 2025, a powerful debut film took centre stage. 'Arto's Land', directed by Tamara Stepanyan, captivated audiences with its poignant narrative and thought-provoking themes.
The film follows Céline, a French woman, as she travels to Armenia after her husband's suicide. Her mission is twofold: to officially register his death and to clarify discrepancies about his identity. Little did she know that her journey would lead her on a ghostly exploration through Armenia's fraught recent history.
Céline's husband, Arto, had lied about his past, concealing his true birth name, his involvement in a war, and his desertion. As Céline delves into Arto's past, she encounters war veterans and survivors from the 1990s, adding a haunting layer to her personal quest.
'Arto's Land' is a sensitive, melancholic exploration of identity, memory, and the scars left by history. It masterfully weaves together themes of memory and identity, trauma and loss, the complexities of diasporic return, and the tension between fiction and reality.
The film is symbolic of the festival's commitment to strong content, as it delves into Armenia's contemporary struggles, the lingering effects of war, natural disasters, and political upheaval. The atmospheric 'ghostly travelogue' evokes a haunting sense of personal grief intertwined with historical trauma, leaving viewers questioning whether "a woman chases a ghost, but how should she bury it? Can the dead be saved?"
Tamara Stepanyan, the director, has a knack for tackling complex and sensitive topics. Her previous work, 'My Armenian Phantoms', was also a testament to her commitment to exploring the intricacies of Armenian history and identity. Her work was presented in the Forum Special section of last year's Berlinale.
'Arto's Land' was the first film screened in Piazza Grande during the festival, setting a high standard for the rest of the event. Its noticeable political undertone adds depth to the film, reflecting the director's personal connection to Armenia and the film's themes.
Céline's journey in Gyumri, Arto’s hometown, serves as a poignant backdrop, juxtaposing decaying Soviet-era monuments with present-day poverty. This symbolises Armenia's unresolved past and present struggles, making 'Arto's Land' a powerful and thought-provoking addition to the Locarno Film Festival 2025.
[1] Locarno Film Festival Official Website [2] Variety [3] Cineuropa [4] Sight & Sound [5] Film Comment
- After the riveting premiere of 'Arto's Land' at the Locarno Film Festival 2025, discussions about work, such as reviews and analyses, have filled movie-and-tv forums and publications like Locarno Film Festival Official Website, Variety, Cineuropa, Sight & Sound, and Film Comment.
- As the festival continues, groundbreaking works like 'Arto's Land', known for their political undertones, will undoubtedly inspire further explorations into entertainment that delve into identity, memory, and the complexities of history.
