“According to Armenian Time” Reflects on One Grandmother’s Travels
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- 10 Mar 2025
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According to Armenian Time, directed by documentarian Diana Hovhannisyan, tells the poignant story of her grandmother, Knar, a 60-year-old Armenian woman navigating the complexities of life between her village in Armenia and her son and grandchildren’s home in the Netherlands. Caught between two distinct realities, Knar feels a deep emotional attachment to her homeland while also feeling compelled to travel abroad to be close to her family. This cycle of preparation for her trips to the Netherlands and her eager returns home creates a poignant narrative of longing and connection.
The film vividly depicts the blending of these two worlds. A defining scene showcases a view from a window leading to Knar’s yard, a significant corner of her home where she has created a sanctuary filled with icons and candles. Here, she prays for the health of her children and grandchildren. The importance of this space is underscored when Knar returns from the Netherlands and immediately opens the curtains to ensure her sacred area remains intact.
Adapting to life in the Netherlands proves challenging for Knar. In one memorable moment, her loud voice disrupts the quiet streets, leading to a reprimand from a passerby. Undeterred, she responds in Armenian and Russian, showcasing her cultural identity. Another distinctly Armenian trait emerges when Knar makes new friends by sharing coffee and offering them sweets brought from Armenia, a gesture steeped in nostalgia.
Coffee serves as a recurring motif throughout the film, beginning with a cup of sourj. This theme weaves through various moments, from inviting her Dutch friends over for coffee to preparing it for her grandchild in the hospital. The joy of sharing coffee with her granddaughter becomes a cherished ritual, culminating in a touching scene where the grandchild asks when they will have coffee together in the morning.
While the film explores strong themes of coffee and connection, it can also be categorized as a documentary comedy. This brand of humor is not overtly laugh-out-loud but arises from the pain of Knar’s experiences. Through comedy, she navigates the cyclical challenges of her life, using humor as a coping mechanism for the inevitable crises that accompany her transitions between Armenian time and other time zones. This approach allows her to confront her struggles while acknowledging the underlying tension that never fully dissipates.
In essence, According to Armenian Time is a heartfelt exploration of identity, family, and the complexities of cultural displacement. Through Knar’s journey, the film captures the bittersweet nature of belonging and the resilience required to navigate the spaces between home and away.
