Joe Berlinger says his film will help Turkey to reckon with its past
The screening of the film by American documentary filmmaker Joe Berlinger “Intent to Destroy” took place on Sunday during the closing ceremony of the 14th Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival. The documentary, telling about the Armenian Genocide was premiered during Tribeca film festival. Before initiating the work, the author had numerous meetings with historians and academicians to spread light on the topic of the Armenian Genocide and Turkey’s denialist policy.
On Sunday, Joe Berlinger was awarded with a special Master prize granted by the Golden Apricot festival, that was handed over by General Director of the Golden Apricot festival Harutyun Khachatryan.
“Joe Berlinger made serious work for the Armenian people, its history,” Khachatryan stated, while handing over the award to the author.
The American filmmaker who lives in New York said he has always shared strong ties with the Armenians.
“I am a Jewish who suffered horrendous genocide as the Armenian people. The difference is that the perpetrator of our genocide accepted it guilt, while the perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide has been refusing to recognize and vehemently denying it. That was the reason for me to film this documentary. I hope much this film will help Turkey to come to terms with the crime it committed,” Berlinger said.
The scriptwriter also thanked the organizers of the festival.
“The several days I had the opportunity to spend in Yerevan reinstated my love and affection with your country I have always admired,” the filmmaker added.