Yerevan Puppet Theatre decides not to show film on protection of rights of sexual minorities

On October 9, following the protest actions of Armenian residents, Ruben Babayan, Artistic Director of the Yerevan Puppet Theatre, made a decision to cancel the run of the film "Parada", protecting the rights of sexual minorities.

The film "Parada" (means "Parade" in translation from Serbian) is a film, written and directed by Srdjan Dragojevich, and it first run was presented on October 31, 2011. The film in the genre of tragicomedy tells the audience a story about two members of the LGBT community, one of whom actively protects the rights of sexual minorities and tries to hold a gay pride parade in the capital of Serbia. The film contains documentary footage of Belgrade Gay Pride Parade 2010.

"The Children's Theatre is not a place for the films with such content," Ruben Babayan stated. He has added that earlier, he had no idea of the content of the film. The runs of the film "Parada" were to be held at the Puppet Theatre in Yerevan on October 15-16, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

Decision to show film "Parada" causes protest actions

On October 8, in Yerevan, in front of the Embassy of Germany, a protest action was held, initiated by the Union "Ayazn" against the show "Parada". The place for the action was selected due to the fact that the run of the film was planned to be held with the support of the diplomatic mission in Germany.

The protest action was attended by about 30 persons.

The participants of the protest action were particularly concerned over the choice for running the film. One of the protesters has stated that the film, which central theme is an attempt to organize a parade of sexual minorities, displayed on the screen of the Children's Theatre "is nothing else than an abuse of minors."

"The European Union still tries to spread immorality in our country. Now, this important work has been undertaken by the Embassy of Germany. Many people accuse us of intolerance, like a nationalist organization. However, our intolerance is being demonstrated only when we deal with the propaganda of sexual minorities," said Armen Mkrtchyan, the leader of the Union "Ayazn".

The participants of the protest action intended to hand in to Rayner Morel, German Ambassador to Armenia, a letter with demand to abandon the idea to organize running of the film "Parada"; however, at 05:00 p.m., there were no personnel at the Embassy, and the protestors were not able to hand in their letter.

The participants of the protest action went to the club "TheClub", where the first run of the film was to be held. According to staff members of the club, "officials from the Embassy of Germany called and cancelled the run of the film."

Film critics, Christian Berlin Film Festival jury and politicians praise film "Parada"

"The film does not offend anyone's dignity and does not force any idea to anyone," said Traian Hristea, the head of the EU delegation to Armenia, during the press conference in Yerevan. According to him, the film should contribute to strengthening of the tolerance.

Rayner Morel, German Ambassador to Armenia, has noticed that, apart from those people, who oppose the run of the film, there are also people, who want to see it, and they should be provided with such an opportunity. He has also assured that the film "Parada" will be presented in any case, and the premises will be found for that.

Ovsep Khurshudyan, Press Secretary of the "Heritage" Party, has suggested that the stormy discussion of the film, which was watched only by several persons of those who discuss it, represented an attempt to draw the public's attention away from the real problems of the country, the "tert.am" reports.

Film critics expressed their positive attitude towards the film.

"The film leaves lively and interesting impression, and despite the rather controversial story, is unlikely to cause disgust of those persons, who do not accept films about gays in any form. There a lot of jokes, funny episodes and absolutely no propaganda of homosexuality as one might assume," writes Ivan Mrachko, an observer of the website "ovideo".

"At the recent Berlin Film Festival, the film 'Parade' has won three awards at once, including the Audience Award and the prize of the Ecumenical Jury," the observer emphasizes.