Still image from ‘Invisible Republic.’ Its Los Angeles screening will be shown at the AGBU Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Performing Arts Center in Pasadena on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.
A feature documentary will hold its Los Angeles screening at AGBU Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Performing Arts Center in Pasadena on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, inspired by the explosive wartime diary of Lika Zakaryan. In light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Artsakh – with Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin Corridor creating a food, health, and humanitarian crisis for the 120,000 Armenians now isolated from the outside world, Invisible Republic follows the story of a young journalist’s frontline view of the 44-day war for Artsakh. Emmy nominee Eric Esrailian joins Grammy award recipient Serj Tankian, and award-winning producer Alec Mouhibian to bring the diary of Lika Zakaryan to life in this powerful documentary. All proceeds from the screening will go to AGBU Global Relief Fund.
Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and Creative Armenia have combined the film’s release with a global awareness and educational campaign. Physical screenings for governmental groups, human rights organizations, and educational institutions have been held around the world (Watch the trailer here).
The film has been released digitally in every territory of the world, with the goal of raising awareness about the situation in Artsakh, where 120,000 Armenians are isolated from the outside world due to Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin Corridor. “This isn’t just a film about me,” said Lika Zakaryan. “It is the story and tragedy of my family, my friends, and my people. And sadly, it isn’t over.”
“We initially made this film to educate the non-Armenian world about Artsakh and to raise awareness about the 2020 Artsakh War,” said the film’s producer Dr. Eric Esrailian, who is also an AGBU Central Board Member and a Founding Member of Creative Armenia. “But the darkest chapter of war may be yet to come. We have decided to move up distribution plans and share Lika’s story with the world, in hopes that it will move hearts and minds to stand with the people of Artsakh at this moment of crisis.”
“This first-hand account of the realities during and after the 44 days of Azeri aggression in 2020 is a critical documentation of the true human experience. Today, Artsakh is threatened by a territorial blockade putting the lives of its citizens at risk.” urged AGBU Central Board member, Ani Manoukian.
Tickets for the LA screening of Invisible Republic on Wednesday, April 5th at 7:30 pm can be purchased online. The AGBU Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Performing Arts Center is located at 2495 E. Mountain St. in Pasadena, CA. For media inquiries: wrcommunications@agbu.org
The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the world’s largest non-profit organization devoted to upholding the Armenian heritage through educational, cultural, and humanitarian programs. Creative Armenia is a global arts foundation for the Armenian people and runs the Artists for Artsakh program. Together, the organizations run the Creative Armenia-AGBU Fellowships and the Katapult Creative Accelerator Program. They have also collaborated on many other initiatives to raise awareness and funds for Artsakh. Visit agbu.org and creativearmenia.org to learn more.
