Gariné Torossian was born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1970 to Armenian parents and moved to Canada at the age of nine. After studying photography and film at York University in Toronto, she first worked as a photographer before turning her focus to film. After her first 16mm film, Visions, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, her second film, Girl from Moush, screened in the 1994 Panorama section of the Berlin International Film Festival. Her short films My Own Obsession, Sparklehorse and Babies on the Sun also screened at the Berlinale in 1998, 2000 and 2002 before her debut feature film, Stone Time Touch, premiered in the 2007 Forum section of the Berlinale. Retrospectives have been devoted to her work in Canada, London and Berlin. Her films focus on themes of memory, longing and identity, often in connection with her Armenian heritage.
questionnaire:
– where were you born, where did you grow up, where do you live now?
Born in Lebanon, Grew up in Toronto. Living in Toronto and Yerevan.
– first film you made, and where and when?
Visions in Toronto 1992
– latest film you made, and where and when?
To Make A Garden in Yerevan
– describe your current living space
Three bedroom apartment in a soviet era building
– what Canadian would you challenge to make an isolation movie?
Guy Maddin
– In the history of cinema who’s isolation move would you want to see?
Brother’s Quay
– worst think about being in isolation?
Waiting for the vaccine
– best thing about being in isolation?
Being with family
– favourite book to read in isolation?
The Structure is Rotten, Comrade by Viken Berberian and Yann Kebbi
– favourite music to listen to in isolation?
Georges Brassens
– favourite movies to watch in isolation?
Alice by Jan Svankmajer
– favourite meal in isolation?
Ghapama
– what’s the last best thing you cooked?
Puy lentil galettes, kasha and buckwheat pancakes
