Is Jordan supporting Armenian separatism? Amman’s Film Choice Sparks Controversy

Armenian media are excitedly reporting that the Royal Film Commission of Jordan has selected the documentary "My Sweet Land" by Jordanian-Armenian director Sarin Hayrapetyan for submission for the Oscar in the Best International Feature Film category.

"The film tells the story of 11-year-old Vrej, who lives in a picturesque village in Artsakh and dreams of becoming a dentist. However, Vrej's life takes a dramatic turn with the resurgence of war, forcing him and his family to leave their home. After the defeat in the war, they return to their devastated homeland. The boy confronts a harsh new reality and prepares for future battles as he grapples with the weight of his hopes and trauma," the Armenian media describes the film's synopsis, noting that it has already been showcased at the Sheffield DocFest and screened at several other festivals, including the Amman International Film Festival, where it won the jury prize for Best Documentary Feature Film.

The situation with the Armenians, including those in Jordan is clear. They have been in mourning for four years following their devastating defeat in the war and the return of Karabakh to Azerbaijan. It would be naive to expect any different narrative in the poignant drama of an Armenian director.

It is surprising is that the film, which openly promotes Armenian separatism, is nominated not in Paris or even California—where the Armenian lobby is strong—or in any other Christian country that might have some understanding of the causes and history of the Karabakh conflict, and would sympathize with Christian Armenia. 

Instead, this is happening in an Islamic country that maintains friendly relations with Azerbaijan. What about Jordan's Islamic solidarity, a topic often discussed in the Arab world? It seems that some countries forget this principle when it comes to Azerbaijan. How did a film with such an overtly anti-Azerbaijani stance make its way to the Amman International Film Festival, where it even won the jury prize for Best Documentary Feature Film and the FIPRESCI award for Best Arab Feature Documentary Film?

 These questions should be directed primarily to the government of Jordan. In February 2024, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov received First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Abdul Rahim Al-Maaiah and Assistant to the Senate President, Chair of Jordanian-Azerbaijani Brotherhood Committee Mufleh Al-Rahimi, in Baku."

During the meeting, the sides highlighted that over the more than 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, there has been productive cooperation between two countries across various sectors, including politics, economy, trade, tourism, and education. The support rooted in mutual friendship and solidarity within regional and international organisations was also acknowledged.  

The support founded on mutual friendship and solidarity within regional and international organisations was also emphasised. 

The open propaganda for Armenian separatism from entities within the Hashemite Kingdom is obvious. Considering that Armenia once purchased OSA-AK missile systems from Jordan, paying $27 million for 35 units, serious questions arise for Amman. These concerns should be voiced, at the very least, by the Azerbaijani embassy in the Hashemite Kingdom.