“Asadur: A Search for the Lost Identity” is a 60-minute documentary that explores the heartbreaking journey of Armenian orphans who were exiled from their homeland during the Armenian Genocide and tells the story of Asadur’s struggle to find his Armenian identity. The film highlights the ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide and its lasting impact on Armenian identity, culture, and history.
The documentary traces the journey of the hundreds of thousands of Armenian orphans who were scattered all over the world, with their first stops being orphanages in Lebanon and Jerusalem. Although some were able to remain in their homeland by either converting their faith or hiding their identity, many had to fight for survival and reestablish their ancient culture in foreign lands. As a result, many of their descendants are currently trying to trace their roots and restore their cultural identity.
Asadur, our hero who still lives in Turkey, is one such example. Despite discovering his Armenian heritage early on in life, he was sworn to keep this a secret and only in his senior years did he have the opportunity to pursue his true identity. During his journey, he made his way to Camp Armen Resistance, a movement to rescue a confiscated Armenian orphanage in Istanbul. Asadur appears before us as a “cultural orphan” with parents, and a living testimony of the denied genocide. His participation in the resistance highlights the ongoing battle for the survival of cultural heritage and the struggles of “cultural orphans” to reclaim their identity.
The documentary delves into Asadur’s family background and seeks information about his grandfather, who served as a priest at the Armenian Catholic Church prior to the Armenian Genocide. The film depicts his expedition to investigate his family’s ancestry by exploring the archives of San Lazzaro degli Armeni, the Armenian Catholic Monastery located in Venice.
The documentary “Asadur: A Search for the Lost Identity” explores the individual and collective repercussions of the Armenian Genocide and its enduring effects on Armenian identity, with insights from experts and descendants. The film emphasizes the denial of the genocide, as well as the never-ending struggle of those who survived exile to the deserts of Deir ez-Zor 100 years ago, fought to preserve their culture, and continue to strive to uncover their roots.