Sean Bean whispers genocide poetry in 20 minutes of gorgeous noir darkness.
"Taniel" looks at the last months of poet Taniel Varoujan's life, who was murdered in the Armenian Genocide of 1915. The film's narrative is heard in poetry and seen through Film Noir images.
Cinematography
Noir shadows that make 20 minutes feel eternal.
Writing
Varoujan's actual poetry, unflinchingly adapted.
Score
Bean's voice as instrument—controlled, devastating.
Director
Garo Berberian
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Varoujan's 'The Song of the Bread' was smuggled out by his wife; the film incorporates fragments of this rescued work.
Berberian shot this after discovering Varoujan's poems in his grandfather's library—family history meeting collective trauma.
US
