I grew up in the real-life Nowhere – a city hidden in the shadows of the world. It was a magical place full of wonder and excitement. But it was also a place always under siege – a stage of endless revolution, war, and genocide.
Since I was a kid, I’ve been struggling for freedom on the streets of Yerevan, Armenia. My entire life has been defined by the struggle for freedom. And we have won it many times – under stars and smoke of bombs, with fists and open palms. And then, we have lost it again. We have just lost it again.
On its face, Nowhere is a simple fairytale – a love story. But hidden under it is something a little darker and more complicated: an allegory of freedom – a parable about so many people struggling across the world. The film is set in Yerevan, but it is actually taking place everywhere – or Nowhere.
I grew up in the real-life Nowhere — a city hidden in the shadows of the world.
It was a magical place full of wonder and excitement. But it was also a place always under siege — a stage of endless revolution, war, and genocide.
GARIN HOVANNISIAN is a writer, filmmaker, and illusionist who lives in Yerevan, Armenia. He has explored Armenia's struggle for freedom in his memoir Family of Shadows (HarperCollins 2010) and in his award-winning Armenian documentary trilogy – I Am Not Alone (TIFF 2020), Truth to Power (Tribeca 2021), Invisible Republic (GAIFF 2023). He also recently released a magic special City of Cards (2023).
In the city of Nowhere, shadows dream of a life without their human masters.
Director, Writer & Editor: Garin Hovannisian
Starring: Karen Khachatryan, Ripsime Nahapetyan, Arman Navasardyan, Heriknaz Mkhitaryan
Producers: Garin Hovannisian, Alec Mouhibian
Co-Producer: Suren Tadevosyan
Cinematography: Suren Tadevosyan, ACG
Visual Effects Producer: Vasil Shahbazyan
Associate Producer: Anush Ter-Khachatryan
Production Design: Tigran Asaturov
Music: Andranik Berberyan
Costume Design: Narine Sahakyan