CBC documentary “The Hidden Heritage of Yerevan” earns recognition at UK film awards

The CBC documentary "The Hidden Heritage of Yerevan"  has received an honourable mention at the UK Film Awards in London.

"The Hidden Heritage of Yerevan" also received accolades in the “Best Short Documentary” and “Best Editing” categories at the IndieX Film Fest in Los Angeles, surpassing competitors from the United States, Mexico, and India, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

In the "Best Short Documentary" category, the film's general producer, Vugar Khalilov, who is also the CEO of CBC, was recognized. Furthermore, the award for "Best Editing" was presented to Elnara Mammadova, the chief editor of CBC.

Thus, "The Hidden Heritage of Yerevan" is a powerful documentary that uncovers the forgotten history of Azerbaijani presence in the Armenian capital. Through thorough research, historical maps, and photographs, the film highlights the cultural and spiritual significance of religious buildings, particularly mosques, in Yerevan. These structures, beyond serving as places of worship, embody the struggles and hopes of the communities they once represented.

The documentary draws attention to the tragic loss of these monuments, focusing on the destruction of a mosque once central to the Azerbaijani community. Drawing on an article by American journalist Robert Cullen in The New Yorker, the team delves into the grim reality of the mosque’s demolition, which began with crowbars and ended with bulldozers.

Three decades later, the team retraces Cullen's steps, revisiting the site where the Demeure Bulag mosque once stood. In this residential area, now largely unaware of its historical past, the team seeks to uncover the truth about the mosque's existence.

Through a meticulous investigation, "The Hidden Heritage of Yerevan" reveals the untold stories of a city’s complex history, shining a light on the importance of preserving cultural and religious monuments as living testaments to our diverse pasts.

The film underscores the lasting significance of these forgotten landmarks in the collective memory of societies.

Note that, this year, the festival will present 40 awards to filmmakers, actors, and production teams. UK Film Awards is an international festival showcasing both short and feature-length independent films from around the world, as well as documentaries across all genres,

By Aghakazim Guliyev