YEREVAN, DECEMBER 28, NOYAN TAPAN. An agreement on cooperation of the Rotterdam, Pusan and Golden Apricot ("Voske Tsiran") film festivals will be signed within the framework of the Rotterdam festival in January, 2007. Susanna Haroutiunian, the Golden Apricot Artistic Director stated about it at the December 27 press conference at the "Urbat" club. In her words, the three-year festival won great recognition among famous festivals and prominent figures of the cinematography of the world. In 2006 as well, the festival presented itself with variety of films, quality and geography. "The spectator also considers the festival to be his own one. He waits for the festival. The halls were full this year. The house was even full at some hours," S.Haroutiunian mentioned. "We develop step by step and do not satisfy ourselves with the achieved. In this sense, the started cooperation with individual directors, producers and festivals is important," the Artistic Director of the festival assures. In Susanna Haroutiunian's words, in opposite to low-price films shown by the television and at the cinemas, the festival is the best possibility to get acquainted with the alternative cinematography. Films shown during the festival days bring new breathing and freshness. Director Edgar Baghdasarian, present at the press-conference, who is known to the audience with his "Game" (Khagh), "Leakage" (Hosk), "Country of Hole Rituals" (Surb Tseseri Yerkir) and "Mariam" films, finds that one may not speak about Armenian films "in regard to one year," as the number of films being shot during a year is too small. In his words, one must speak about the Armenian film "at least, in regard to 10 years, though little can be said about that term as well." In E.Baghdasarian's words, state interference is necessary to keep the type of the Armenian film. In his words, the National Cinematography Center created on the basis of "Hayfilm" must develop a policy which will assist keeping of that type of cinematography. In the director's words, the Armenian cinematography needs new breathing and new word: "One must not continuously repeat that the Armenian film is dead: the one who states about it, is dead himself. And if some cinematographers are not able to creat any longer and to shoot a good film, it does not mean that the Armenian cinematography is dead."

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