Private Project

AYG [dawn]

The story is about two young adults from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) who have been close friends since childhood. The war forced them to leave their homeland and separated their paths. As teenagers, they now face the challenges of displacement and try to build a new life in new villages in Armenia.
Two childhood friends from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), Arman and Nver, find their lives forever changed when war forces them from their homeland and separates their paths. Now teenagers, they navigate the complexities of displacement, loss and rebuilding their futures in unfamiliar villages across Armenia.
Despite the distance and uncertainty, their friendship gives them strength and connection amidst the chaos. AYG captures the personal journeys of these resilient young people, revealing their enduring hope and determination to rise above.

  • Arnold Ghazaryan
    Director
  • Siranush Vardanyan
    Director
  • Maria Matinyan
    Director
  • Siranush Vardanyan
    Writer
  • Maria Matinyan
    Writer
  • Arnold Ghazaryan
    Writer
  • Maria Matinyan
    Producer
  • Arman Musayelyan
    Key Cast
  • Nver Khachatryan
    Key Cast
  • Arnold Ghazaryan
    Director of Photography
  • Siranush Vardanyan
    Director of Photography
  • Maria Matinyan
    Director of Photography
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    22 minutes 55 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 10, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    2,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Armenia, Germany
  • Country of Filming:
    Armenia
  • Language:
    Armenian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Kino Asyl 2024
    Munich
    Germany
    November 27, 2024
    Munich Premiere
    KinoAsyl Special Mention
Distribution Information
  • G.Urban e.V.
    Distributor
    Country: Germany
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Arnold Ghazaryan, Siranush Vardanyan, Maria Matinyan

Arnold Ghazaryan / film director
Born in 2001 in Khachmach, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), now lives in Yerevan, Armenia.
Arnold participated in the 2020 Artsakh war and later moved to Yerevan to study directing. After a year at the Yerevan State Institute of Theater and Cinema, he pursued self-education and built a directing career.
Filmography: "Hostage Country" (2023/short), "12.12" (2022/short), "Bad Dream" (2021/short).

Siranush Vardanyan / film director, photographer
Born in 2002 in Chita, Russia, now living in Yerevan, Armenia. She is a 4th-year film directing student at the Yerevan State Institute of Theater and Cinema.
Filmography: "Timeless" (2024/short), "The Lullaby" (2023/short), "Mshakutamet" (2022/doc), "Freedom" (2022/doc).

Maria Matinyan / artist, art educator, curator
Born in 1995 in Yerevan, Armenia, now based in Munich. She studied at AdBK Munich (2015–2022) under Prof. M. Wähner, T. Widmann, and J. Rosefeldt. Founder and co-director of G.Urban Platform since 2020.
Filmography: “Longing for a Peaceful Sleep” (2022/film-performance), "Book of Memory" (2021/short), "Wherever You Go, Come Back Soon" (2020/doc).

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Director Statement

As filmmakers, we are committed to telling stories that reveal the human cost of war and displacement. ''AYG'' follows the journey of two teenagers from Artsakh, capturing their resilience, loss, and the strength of friendship. In a world where millions are uprooted, we aim to bring a human perspective to conflict, reminding audiences that behind every displacement is a life forever changed. Through this film, we hope to spark empathy, awareness, and a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by those forced to leave their homes.

"I am a Munich-based artist and cultural manager of Armenian origin, who strongly believes in the power of interdisciplinary networking and creative collaboration.

In the context of the art education projects 'Artworks for Peace' in war-affected villages in Artsakh, Armenia, I have met talented filmmakers Arnold and Siranush in recent years and am happy to have created a joint film with them." Maria Matinyan