PASADENA. Thanks to a joint event organized by the Pasadena Hamazkayin, Armenian Youth Federation and the Armenian National Committee, hundreds of Armenian Americans from across southern California united on April 16, 2010 to watch exclusive footage from the film "Ravished Armenia"(also called The Auction of Souls). Richard D. Kloian of the Armenian Genocide Resource Center has produced an enhanced and edited 24-minute version to which he has carefully added an historical introduction, descriptive subtitles, well-chosen music. "The Pasadena Hamazkayin is proud to bring this groundbreaking film to our community," remarked local Hamazkayin leader Manoug Joukhajian. "One of the main objectives of our organization is to preserve our cultural heritage". The book Ravished Armenia, by Aurora Mardiganian was told about violent events that had taken place in 1915 during the Armenian Genocide when her parents, sisters and 3 brothers were killed in front of a little Avrora. On the basis of that book a dumb film was shot which is also called "The Auction of Souls". The film was first shown in 1919 directed by filmmaker Oscar Apfel. It is the first feature film about the Armenian Genocide which was also used to help raise money for Near East Relief to assist survivors of the Armenian Genocide. About this is reported by ANCA.

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