Zare (Russian: Зарэ, Armenian: Զարե, Kurdish: Zarê) is a 1926 Soviet Armenian drama film, written and directed by Hamo Beknazarian.[1] Zare is the first Armenian film dedicated to Kurdish culture and was inspired by the text "Zare" written by Hakob Ghazaryan.[2]

Zare
Directed byHamo Beknazarian
Written byHamo Beknazarian
StarringMaria Tenazi
Hrachia Nersisyan
Avet Avetisyan
CinematographyGarosh Bek-Nazaryan
Arkadi Yalovoy
Production
company
Release dates
Running time
69 min.
CountrySoviet Union
LanguageSilent

Plot

edit

The film tells the story of the life of the Kurds who roamed the Caucasus and their struggle against imperial Russian authorities. One of the Kurdish tribes, led by Mejid-aga, has set up camp on the slopes of Mount Ararat and Mount Alagyaz. The poor suffer under the rule of Mejid-aga’s son, Timur-bek, a wild, reckless, and arrogant character who oppresses them with heavy taxes. Timur falls in love with Zare, the fiancée of a shepherd named Saydo. However, Zare's father rejects Timur’s proposal, and in his anger, Timur decides to eliminate his rival, Saydo.

It is a time of war, and Kurdish "volunteer" units are being formed under pressure from the authorities. Among the "volunteers" is Saydo, who, at Timur's instigation, joins the forces. However, Saydo deserts in order to be with his fiancée when needed. During a battle with the servants of a local lord who attacked Zare's family, Saydo is severely wounded. Timur kidnaps Zare, and on their wedding day, she takes a desperate step: she slaps Timur in front of the guests, a humiliation that no Kurd can endure. In retaliation, Timur falsely accuses Zare of being unchaste at the wedding feast. Ostracized and cursed, Zare finds no one willing to help her except Saydo. Together, they leave their tribe to seek out new, free people and build a life of happiness.

Cast

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Zare - Armenian Cinema". Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  2. ^ Bakhchinyan, Artsvi (March 2015). "Zaré and Kurds-Yezids: The representation of the Kurds in two Soviet Armenian fi lms". Cinergie. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
edit