Private Project

“Room”/Սենյակ

The work is available with English (current video), French, Spanish, and Italian subtitles:
Sous-titres français - https://vimeo.com/667949631/69a51f5fbc
Subtítulos español - https://vimeo.com/667949384/cb11a9a9d9
Sottotitoli in italiano - https://vimeo.com/670046691/6ffb110d20

Brief Synopsis: (English)

Anna Grigorian's experimental project "Room" (Սենյակ [sɛnˈjɑk] ) reflects on the issues of violence and murder cases of women through the dry text of judicial acts and series of choreographed actions. While the factual data used in the video is directly taken from the realities of Armenia, gender-based oppression and violence reaching physical retaliation and murder are ongoing and widespread, making the work relevant across countries.

Despite the violent topic, the work excludes direct violent imagery. The monotonous, calm recital of the murder cases is accompanied by a series of choreographed performative actions staged by the artist, creating an allegorical space where the discourses on gender, boundaries of the body, and patriarchal order are deliberated upon through artistic expression. The texts are excerpts from judicial acts, verified through DataLex Judiciary Portal.

Support acknowledgment: Arts and Cultural Studies Laboratory Artist in Residence program (Armenia), and the Canada Council for the Arts (Canada).

  • Anna Grigorian
    Director
  • Anna Grigorian
    Writer
  • Anna Grigorian
    Producer
  • Julia Thomas
    Key Cast
  • Vronsky Belizaire
    Key Cast
  • Amber Jackson
    Key Cast
  • “Hamayak jan” Armenian folk song, extracts from performance by Lusik Qoshyan
    Music
  • Armenian Dhol electronically generated loops
    Music
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Սենյակ
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Other
  • Genres:
    Underground, Arthouse, Video-art
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    August 6, 2021
  • Country of Origin:
    Armenia
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    Armenian
  • Shooting Format:
    digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Bronx World Film Winter Cycle
    NYC
    United States
    January 5, 2024
    Invited work
  • VOX centre de l’image contemporaine
    Montreal
    Canada
    October 20, 2023
    Exhibition/installation
  • “One Shot”
    Yerevan
    Armenia
    June 16, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Pebbles Underground Film and Video Art
    Toronto
    Canada
    April 20, 2023
    Official Selection; Jury Award
  • The Arthouse Film Festival
    Austin, Texas
    United States
    December 26, 2022
    Official Selection
  • LA Underground Film Forum
    Los Angeles
    United States
    July 9, 2022
    Official Selection
  • FEMINISM CORPOREAL International Festival
    Yerevan
    Armenia
    March 10, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Museum of Modern Art
    Yerevan
    Armenia
    August 6, 2021
    Solo show // Video installation
Distribution Information
  • Vidéographe artist-run centre, Montreal, Canada - non-exclusive ditributor
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Anna Grigorian

Anna Grigorian is an experimental artist from Armenia, whose art practice is currently based between Canada and Armenia. With a background in sculpture, literature, and photography, her current chosen medium is moving image. Her video work revolves around socio political and economic problems, and examination of power relations, through mixing elements of theater, early cinema, and constructed surreal environments.

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