(November 23, 2015 – Winnipeg, Manitoba) – Director Atom Egoyan and award-winning Canadian actor Arsinée Khanjian will visit the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) this week for a special event exploring the human rights significance of the Armenian Genocide, 100 years later.
They will participate in a media event on Wednesday (November 25) in the Museum’s “Breaking the Silence” gallery, where the genocide is examined through survivor videos, text and images — including references to Egoyan’s work. As Armenian Canadians, they have both been active in raising awareness about the importance of combatting denial and minimization that still surround the event.
“This is a history that has not yet been resolved – it’s an open wound that continues to bleed,” said Egoyan, whose grandparents were orphaned by the genocide. His 2002 film Ararat focused on this event and starred Khanjian, whose performance garnered a Genie Award for Best Actress, while the movie was awarded Best Film. Egoyan’s latest film Remember – released last month — also examines memory, justice and unresolved history, and again features actor Christopher Plummer.
This is a free public event to mark the centennial of the genocide, organized by the Museum in partnership with members of the Armenian-Canadian community. Officials from the Armenian National Committee of Canada and the Armenian Orthodox Church of Canada will attend, along with members of Winnipeg’s Armenian community. A segment of Egoyan’s film Ararat will also be shown. Seating is limited, visitors are asked to RSVP by email to: visitor.services@humanrights.ca or by phone, 204-289-2000. There is more information online at the CMHR website.
