After Freedom
Method Film Festival
"After Freedom" is a very low-budget, semiautographical film by an Armenian immigrant to this country that opens a window to a culture seldom represented in American cinema. The story is probably too soft for theatrical distribution in today's market, but the film, which screened at the Method Film Festival, makes a solid festival film and a good candidate for cable.
Writer-director Vahe Babaian sets his story in the thriving Armenian community in Glendale, where everyone has adapted to American ways but no one has forgotten his roots. The film impressively delineates the vague dissatisfaction with the American dream that infects two generations -- pioneering parents, who brought families here, and their grown kids, who at times still feel like outsiders without their fair share of that dream. The hero's girlfriend tells him that he is "never at ease, never at peace with yourself," which could be said for nearly every character.
The story unfolds in a series of episodes driven by character rather than by plot. These revolve around Michael (Mic Tomasi), stuck in a dead-end supermarket job; his fiancee, Ana (Sophie Chahinan), frustrated over his failure to commit; his dad, Leon (Greg Satamian), a widower who has lost his job and must learn to drive L.A.'s frightening streets if he wants to get another; Michael's hot-headed pal Avo (Shant Bejanian), a petty street hustler; and another pal, Mato (Jonny Bogris), desperate to bring his older brother over from the old country.
"After Freedom" is a talky film, with much of the exposition and ideas coming out in dialogue rather than dramatic action. While the movie does manage to avoid the cliches of the immigrant story, the storytelling is often slack. You appreciate the film, but never get involved with it.
"After Freedom" is a very low-budget, semiautographical film by an Armenian immigrant to this country that opens a window to a culture seldom represented in American cinema. The story is probably too soft for theatrical distribution in today's market, but the film, which screened at the Method Film Festival, makes a solid festival film and a good candidate for cable.
Writer-director Vahe Babaian sets his story in the thriving Armenian community in Glendale, where everyone has adapted to American ways but no one has forgotten his roots. The film impressively delineates the vague dissatisfaction with the American dream that infects two generations -- pioneering parents, who brought families here, and their grown kids, who at times still feel like outsiders without their fair share of that dream. The hero's girlfriend tells him that he is "never at ease, never at peace with yourself," which could be said for nearly every character.
The story unfolds in a series of episodes driven by character rather than by plot. These revolve around Michael (Mic Tomasi), stuck in a dead-end supermarket job; his fiancee, Ana (Sophie Chahinan), frustrated over his failure to commit; his dad, Leon (Greg Satamian), a widower who has lost his job and must learn to drive L.A.'s frightening streets if he wants to get another; Michael's hot-headed pal Avo (Shant Bejanian), a petty street hustler; and another pal, Mato (Jonny Bogris), desperate to bring his older brother over from the old country.
"After Freedom" is a talky film, with much of the exposition and ideas coming out in dialogue rather than dramatic action. While the movie does manage to avoid the cliches of the immigrant story, the storytelling is often slack. You appreciate the film, but never get involved with it.
- 6/24/2002
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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