Anthropocentrism and Symbolism in Armenian Films of the Soviet Era

The inner world and behavior of individuals in the context of their experienced historical epoch have consistently constituted central thematic concerns in Armenian cinema. Filmmakers accorded particular emphasis to traditional values – namely, family, child-rearing, diligence, and the capacity to summon resilience amid conditions marked by military conflicts, revolutions, genocide, and natural disasters. The cohesion and unity of the Armenian peo-ple, intergenerational continuity, love for their native land, as well as the veneration and meticulous preservation of cultural heritage collectively underpin a narrative of invincibility. Protagonists are portrayed as complex individuals grap-pling with quotidian challenges, endeavoring to locate their place within society or to rediscover existential meaning. These characters engage in fallible decision-making processes, endure consequent repercussions, strive for justice, experience love and hatred, and remain perpetually engaged in the pursuit of answers to perennial ontological questions concerning life, death, love, and the surrounding world. The plots of Armenian cinema themselves are so deep in their content that they are able to convey not only the era, but also the emotions and feelings of the main characters. Produced during the Soviet period, these films were often realized with minimal reliance on elaborate props, decorations, or sce-nography; however, they featured performances by a distinguished cadre of professional actors.