A screening of the remastered 1984 documentary about the struggles of Armenian immigrants arriving in California in the early 1900s, followed by a discussion with prominent member of the Fresno Armenian community Mr. Bryan Bedrosian, and Carla Garapedian, Ph.D. of the Armenian Film Foundation.
Friday, November 15, 2024
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM (Pacific Time)
Melnitz Hall, James Bridges Theater
235 Charles E Young Dr E
Los Angeles, CA 90095
6:30 PM Reception and Check-in
7:30 PM Film Screening
This hour-long documentary, directed by filmmaker J. Michael Hagopian in 1984, was partly funded by federal grants and tells the story of the struggles of the first Armenian settlers in Fresno as they tried to create a new life in the legendary Central Valley, home to the richest farmland in the world.
Himself an early resident of Fresno, Hagopian believed the Armenian experience in California reflected the universal experience of immigrants arriving in America from all over the world.
Narrated by former California Governor George Deukmejian, “Strangers in a Promised Land” includes, among others, the story of artists such as William Saroyan and Varaz Samuelian; the Seropian family, who were among the first Armenians to arrive in the region; Malcolm Markarian, the “fig king” of America; and the Bedrosians and Pakchoians, who became leaders in the raisin industry.
Carla Garapedian, Ph.D., is a filmmaker and member of The Armenian Film Foundation, which has forged a new partnership with the Promise Armenian Institute – to support the study of Armenian film and filmmakers, as well as to create the Armenian Image Archive, a repository and platform for the study of Armenian photography – from early to contemporary photographers.
Bryan Bedrosian is a prominent member of the Fresno Armenian community. He is the President and CEO of Bedrosian Farms, an experienced ranch manager with over 40 years of expertise in managing large-scale farming operations. Bedrosian holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from California State University, Fresno.
This event is organized in collaboration with the Armenian Film Foundation and co-sponsored by the Ararat-Eskijian Museum and the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR).
Directions and Parking
The James Bridges Theater in Melnitz Hall, is situated on the northeast corner of the UCLA campus in Westwood, adjacent to the Broad Art Center and the Murphy Sculpture Garden. For parking navigate to Parking Structure 3, just south of Sunset and just west of Hilgard. The address of the parking structure is 215 Charles E Young Dr N, LA, CA 90095; 215 Charles E Young Dr N, LA, CA 90095. You just walk south from the parking structure, and one of the first buildings you come to is Melnitz.
Pay-by-space parking is $3 per hour, up to $13 (all day).
Sponsor(s): The Promise Armenian Institute, Armenian Film Foundation, Ararat-Eskijian Museum and National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR)