Image courtesy of https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6051468/

April has been declared “Armenian History Month” in the Los Angeles County, home to the greatest number of Armenians outside of Armenia. The annual tribute commemorating the Armenian Genocide that began April 24, 1915 was initiated in 2017 when Los Angeles County Supervisors Janice Hahn, District 4, and Kathryn Barger, District 3 presented a Motion that was unanimously approved and has continued for seven years, hopefully in perpetuity, acknowledging the enduring legacy and remarkable contributions of this resilient community. The designation was initiated because in 2017 the 14th annual LA Harbor International Film Festival presented the Port of Los Angeles premiere of the superb feature documentary Crows Of The Desert: A Hero’s Journey Through the Armenian Genocide (COTD) directed by Marta Houske, native of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The idea was proposed to the Supervisors who responded respectful enthusiasm.

The film was inspired by Crows Of The Desert, the memoirs of Levon Yotnakhparian, edited by his grandson and namesake Levon Parian. The story begins as World War I rages in the Middle East, with Col. T.E. Lawrence (aka Lawrence of Arabia) fighting side by side with the Arabs against the Ottoman Empire. Kind and humble Levon Yotnakhparian, caught up in the chaos, risked extreme peril in the dangerous war torn realm to lead a small expeditionary group to help save his people from near extinction in the 20th century’s first documented genocide; and barely escaped with his life. The atrocity that took place until after the end of WWI saw the demise of over two million Armenians, Greeks and Assyrians, making this story compelling for their ancestors, and people of conscience everywhere.

Emmy Award winning film director Houske spent nearly four years creating this exceptional film uncovering extraordinary and rare archival footage and photographs revealing the terror and bravery of this astonishing true story of the heroic efforts of Yotnakhparian. Fascinating historical figures appear in the film including Lawrence, Prince Faisal, Hussein El-Attrache and Sarah Aaronsohn. Houske’s aesthetic choices from the sepia tone look, vintage appearing type font, impeccable editing, and musical compliment make the film a true work of art.

A Matrix Communications production other film credits include: Paul G.Turpanjian, executive producer (TF Educational Foundation); Chris Toussaint and Brian Denny, film editors; original score by John Massari that perfectly punctuates the scenario.

The acclaimed movie has played in over two dozen film festivals and was named Best Feature Documentary at the Canadian Diversity Film Festival; nominated for Best Documentary at the ARPA Film Festival, Hollywood; and is an Official Selection for the SR Socially Relevant Film Festival New York.

In a career spanning over three decades Houske has worked with Nobel Prize team scientists, sports stars, artists and celebrities. She is a member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Twice nominated Emmy winner for her historical documentaries she has received a multitude of awards including the New York Festivals Gold World Medal, and two CINE Gold Eagles. A Magna cum Laude graduate of the University of California San Diego, with a degree in communications-filmmaking and minor in biology, she was accepted for the masters program in filmmaking at NYU and did post graduate studies at University of Southern California, UCLA, and the American Film Institute. She is a second generation Southern Californian, of Norwegian heritage, who resides in Rancho Palos Verdes.

The Armenian people have exhibited unparalleled resilience in the face of adversity throughout history, despite multiple attempts to eradicate them as a people. The Armenian community is a testament to perseverance and what can be accomplished when a people are united. It is crucial to honor the rich cultural heritage and contributions; and acknowledge their enduring struggles.

The “timeless” film unfortunately has had not on air broadcast and can only be seen in festival or education settings. The movie is a history lesson unto itself with much to contemplate that should be seen by students and all aware alert individuals.

For more see: website: http://crowsofthedesert.com/

Sidebar: As LAHIFF festival director I was introduced to the director by her cousins, sisters (nee) Maya and Mona Soderstrom (remember Soderstrom Ford one of the elite automobile showrooms on Pacific Avenue, San Pedro, in 1950s forward), who attended the 13th annual LAHIFF (2016) and brought her along. She then invited me to a screening at the Egyptian Theatre at the ARPA International Film Festival (AFFMA: Arpa foundation for film, music and art). It was an eventful memorable day including a great lunch in legendary Musso & Frank Grill. Having worked with documentary filmmakers for decades as public relations consultant for the International Documentary Association (IDA) my personal knowledge and critical awareness are acute. I knew from the first frame that COTD was an exceptional movie, of highest award worthy caliber. During the Q&A after the movie I made that comment and then and there invited the movie to be programmed at LAHIFF 2017; and the result was a hugely attended successful event, so popular there was a reprise screening scheduled sponsored by Supervisor Hahn.

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Stephanie Mardesich, a native of San Pedro from a family who arrived in the harbor area over 100 years ago. An alumna of U.S.C. School of Cinematic Arts; founder-director of the LA Harbor International Film Festival; credited journalist and public relations consultant, she launched "Cinema Stephanie" film critique blogette in 2017. More recently, she created "Eclectic Culture" lifestyle stories and reviews blog. She is also co-producer with Jack Baric (S.P. native and R.P.V. resident) of the oral history project Stories of Los Angeles Harbor Area: For Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (SOLAHA) - Volume II debuted in March 2020