Calendar (1993)

A photographer and his wife take photographs of Armenian churches for use in a calendar. Their driver, a local resident, expounds on the history of the churches while the wife translates. ... See full summary »

Director:

Atom Egoyan

Writer:

Atom Egoyan

Stars:

Arsinée Khanjian, Ashot Adamyan, Atom Egoyan

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Arsinée Khanjian	...	Translator
Ashot Adamyan	...	Driver (as Ashot Adamian)
Atom Egoyan	...	Photographer
Michelle Bellerose	...	Guest
Natalia Jasen	...	Guest
Susan Hamann	...	Guest
Sveta Kohli	...	Guest
Viva Tsvetnova	...	Guest
Roula Said	...	Guest (as Rula Said)
Annie Szamosi	...	Guest
Anna Pappas	...	Guest
Amanda Martínez	...	Guest (as Amanda Martinez)
Diane Kofri	...	Guest

Storyline

A photographer and his wife take photographs of Armenian churches for use in a calendar. Their driver, a local resident, expounds on the history of the churches while the wife translates. The photographer becomes jealous of his wife's bonding with the driver. In a series of flash-forwards, the photographer stages identical dinners with several women, who pretend to talk on the phone while he writes. His wife, now estranged from him, leaves repeated messages on his answering machine, asking why he never contacts her. Yet another thought-provoking look into strange, intertwined relationships from the always enigmatic Egoyan.

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Plot Keywords:

armenian | armenian churches | armenian culture | armenian history | armenia | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Armenian actor Levon Sharafyan turned down the role of a Driver.

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Connections

Edited into 365 Days, also Known as a Year (2019)

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Soundtracks

Blue Feeling
Written and Arranged by John Grimaldi
Performed by Studebaker John and the Hawks

User Reviews

personal experiment

The photographer behind the camera (Atom Egoyan) and his translator (Arsinée Khanjian) are touring Armenian religious sites with a driver/guide. They are taking pictures for a calendar. The movie alternates between that and the photographer repeatedly having the same date with different women in his home. He pours the rest of the wine, the woman asks for a phone, he writes in his notebook, and she talks on the phone in a foreign language next to the calendar.

The Armenia half is a little interesting. At least, there are interesting sites. After about twenty minutes, the repetitive nature is well established and I just want the plot to advance. The reveals are interesting although way too slow. The phone reveal is fun but there is little or no tension. This would be more compelling if the second half can be condensed and something more dramatic happens. It's already at an odd running time. It's open-ended and feels incomplete. Egoyan is probably working through some stuff with his Armenia heritage and his relationships. It's not a movie for the masses but maybe for his fans.

Details

Country:

Armenia Canada Germany

Language:

English German Russian Armenian Hebrew

Release Date:

3 June 1993 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Calendario

Filming Locations:

Armenia

Box Office

Budget:

CAD80,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ego Film Arts, The Armenian National Cinematheque, Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

74 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1