Filmmaker Statement

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. Garin Hovannisian Writer & Director