In 1988 about 25,000 inhabitants of the Armenian town Gyumri perished in a destructive earthquake. More than one-third were children. For 20 years, affected families have been linked in their attempts to come to terms with their loss and through the birth of new children, most of whom bear the names of their deceased brothers and sisters.

For some parents the new children have become a substitute for the former children and frequent comparisons with their deceased siblings evoke an uncomfortable feeling in them. Nevertheless they continue to believe the souls of their siblings live on with them or directly inside them.

The film tells the story of a city whose bizarre scenery preserves the traditional culture and spiritual memory, which are revealed to us through stories and familial motifs .

Festivals & Awards

Winner: Golden Deer Prize: Best documentary film: Dialektus European Doc FF, 2009
Winner: Rome IFF - Cult award for Best documentary film, 2008
Winner: Prize for the Best director: One World Film festival, 2008
Main Prize National student jury: Dialektus European Doc FF, 2009