I grew up in the real-life Nowhere – a city hidden in the shadows of the world. It was a magical place full of wonder and excitement. But it was also a place always under siege – a stage of endless revolution, war, and genocide.
Since I was a kid, I’ve been struggling for freedom on the streets of Yerevan, Armenia. My entire life has been defined by the struggle for freedom. And we have won it many times – under stars and smoke of bombs, with fists and open palms. And then, we have lost it again. We have just lost it again.
On its face, Nowhere is a simple fairytale – a love story. But hidden under it is something a little darker and more complicated: an allegory of freedom – a parable about so many people struggling across the world. The film is set in Yerevan, but it is actually taking place everywhere – or Nowhere.
"THE BEST SHORT FILM OF THE YEAR"
I grew up in the real-life Nowhere – a city hidden in the shadows of the world.
It was a magical place full of wonder and excitement. But it was also a place always under siege – a stage of endless revolution, war, and genocide.
GARIN HOVANNISIAN is a writer, filmmaker, and illusionist who lives in Yerevan, Armenia. He has explored Armenia's struggle for freedom in his memoir Family of Shadows (HarperCollins 2010) and in his award-winning Armenian documentary trilogy – I Am Not Alone (TIFF 2020), Truth to Power (Tribeca 2021), and Invisible Republic (GAIFF 2023). To learn more about Garin – and the real-life city that inspired Nowhere – you can also watch his new magic special City of Cards. It’s free to stream below.
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In the city of Nowhere, shadows dream of a life without their human masters.
Director, Writer & Editor: Garin Hovannisian
Producers: Garin Hovannisian, Alec Mouhibian
Co-Producer: Suren Tadevosyan
Associate Producer: Anush Ter-Khachatryan
Cinematography: Suren Tadevosyan, ACG
Music: Andranik Berberyan
Starring: Karen Khachatryan, Ripsime Nahapetyan, Arman Navasardyan, Heriknaz Mkhitaryan
Production Design: Tigran Asaturov
VFX Producer: Vasil Shahbazyan