Auction of Souls – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

AURORA’S SUNRISE – Review by Leslie Combemale

July 30, 2023July 30, 2023 Leslie Combemale animation, Armenian Genocide, Auction of Souls, Aurora Mardiganian, Aurora’s Sunrise, hybrid documentary, Inna Sahakyan, Moebius, Ravished Armenia

Truth be told, I didn’t know much about the Armenian genocide before watching Inna Sahakyan’s award-winning animation/live action hybrid documentary, Aurora’s Sunrise. I had vague recollections of it from world history class as a violent event that predated the holocaust of World War II. Rest assured I walked away from the film with knowledge I’ll never forget, and that’s true for anyone who sees it.

Reviews

AURORA’S SUNRISE – Review by Nadine Whitney

January 22, 2023January 26, 2023 Nadine Whitney Armenian Genocide, Arpi Petrossian, Arshaluys Mardigian, Auction of Souls, Aurora Mardiganian, Aurora’s Sunrise, Europa! Europa! Film Festival, Henry Gates, Inna Sahakyan, Ravished Armenia

In 1919 a silent film called alternatively Ravished Armenia or Auction of Souls premiered in America. The film, the story of Aurora Mardiganian whose non-anglicised name is Arshaluys Mardigian – a survivor of the Armenian Genocide. The film was a hit and propelled the teen whose experiences were the basis of the film and also the star of the film, to a small amount of fame. Immediately, however, director Inna Sahakyan informs the viewer that her documentary Aurora’s Sunrise is not about a meteoric rise to stardom, but about a survivor of unimaginable horrors.