Seda Hovakimyan
Brusov State University
Three foreign films are set to start filming in Armenia simultaneously, marking a big milestone for the country’s film industry. One of the films is backed by the global streaming service, NETFLIX. Even though these films won’t be about Armenia, they’ll be shot entirely in the country’s beautiful landscapes. This decision comes after a deal was reached between the Armenian National Cinema Center and local and international film production companies. This collaboration was made possible by recent changes to Armenia’s cinema laws, making it more attractive for filmmakers.
Armenia’s diverse landscapes, offering everything from mountains to beaches, make it an ideal filming location. Plus, the new laws offer financial incentives, like reimbursing a percentage of investments made by film producers. This has attracted big projects from NETFLIX, as well as German and American companies, to choose Armenia for their filming.
The idea to film in Armenia gained traction when famous German actor and producer Til Schweiger visited the country at the invitation of director Arman Nshanyan. And after seeing Armenia’s potential, Schweiger was keen to film his projects there.
Nshanyan notes: “Two of the movies are fiction films. One of them is a true story about a pugnacious girl set in Berlin and Sarajevo, the other is a series about the End of the World, and another is again about an event in Berlin in which the characters eliminate evil in the streets during one evening. Roughly speaking, all three films have nothing to do with Armenia in terms of script and content, but we were able to make these projects come to Armenia.”
Although the stories of these films are set in different places, Armenian specialists will handle their production, ensuring a smooth integration of local talent. According to the director, “They will come with their artistic ‘core’. They will probably have a director, a cameraman, and an artist with them, who will work with our team of actors. That is, the film crew will consist of specialists from Armenia: out of a group of 100 people, probably 4-10 people will be foreign specialists.”
This collaboration will not only bring economic benefits but also help develop Armenia’s film industry and culture. By involving local filmmakers and students in the production process, the aim is to grow talent within Armenia. Additionally, featuring Armenian culture and landmarks, the films will showcase the country to global audiences.
As preparations for these projects ramp up, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports is working on regulations and guidelines for the filming process. While exact filming dates are yet to be confirmed, the involvement of international companies and the memorandum of cooperation signal a bright future for Armenia’s film industry.
