A touching story of love and hardship of an Armenian man and an Azerbaijani woman. We are all people...we are united and we should embrace one another instead of being hateful and contributing to a further schism. War is never the solution. It destroys lives of good people, such as this couple, who are only trying to live a normal life in peace. My heart breaks for them and all others like them who are forced to suffer and live in fear and sorrow because of war. No one should have to give up on love because of nationality, religion, and any of the other factors that exist to create a division. No mother should have to cry at her childrens graves. We need a major unification...one based on love, compassion and kindness. War, as it exists, only benefits those who are orchestrating it. But it only hurts those who are participating in it and those who are directly and indirectly affected by it. I typed up the whole transcript because this story moved me. Elmira: Well, all films are about love...I was born in Baku. Im an Azerbaijani. But I fell in love with an Armenian. He was a projectionist. He was serving in the Army there. Thats how we met. Me and my friends used to love going to the cinema. They used to show good Soviet films, and sometimes, Indian films too. Well, there wasnt much to show in those days. Slavik: Once I saw her on the street and asked, Hey girl, you arent waiting for me by any chance, are you? She said, Go away! We carried on like that for a while. But gradually I got her attention. Elmira: I fell in love with Slavik straight away. I had no idea he was Armenian. I found that out later. My mother was really upset about it. Slavik: Her mother was against it. Youre Armenian, shes Azerbaijani, she used to say. Youre different nationalities...its impossible! I said, It makes no difference to me whether shes Armenian, Azerbaijani or Russian. I love her and thats all! Shes going to be mine. Elmira: To tell the truth, my mother didnt want me to marry him. She used to say he lives in a village. Hes not the same nationality as us. But I said, No, we love each other, and thats that. I was very slim with a good figure and long hair. After having a baby I decided to cut my hair short because I didnt have enough time to spend on it. I only dared to do it after asking Slavik. For about a week I was trying to hide my haircut, but my mother-in-law noticed. She was very upset and said, How could you cut off your lovely hair? There was no big wedding, no white dress. We just got together round the table. Slavik: We set up tables for everyone in our yard. People were eating, drinking, and having fun. Everyone liked Elmira very much. They were all telling me to cherish her like the apple of my eye. Elmira: All the neighbours came to have a look at me. Everyone was talking about Slavik marrying an Azerbaijani girl. Everyone was curious. After the wedding we lived in the village for a little while. Then we went to Baku for a couple of days. I asked Slavik to teach me some Armenian words so that I could communicate with his parents. My father-in-law knew Russian, but my mother-in-law didnt. Slavik: The first words she said in Armenian were Mother and Father - that was to my parents. I didnt teach her anything else. she just picked it up for herself, really quickly, by talking to everyone. She learned Armenian easily. Elmira: He worked on the collective farm, and at the cinema. I used to sell tickets at the door. And that was how we lived, quietly and peacefully. I still feel that I have five children, even though Ive lost two of them. My elder daughter was murderered in Berdashen, and my son was killed in the war. My daughter died at the hands of an Armenian. My son died at the hands of an Azerbaijani. The war changed my life completely. All my sons went to fight. My middle son lived in Gishi. He went to war from there. He was killed in Vesalu. Curse the war. So many children were lost. So many mothers were plunged into grief. There were victims on both sides. I am a mother. I sit and cry all day long. I grieve for my child. Others grieve for theirs. Brides and wives wear black, and dont know how to feed their children. From our village alone so many guys died...what for? Did their mothers need this? So many people were lost from both sides. Weve been left with orphans. Theyve been left with orphans. Who needed this war? No one! Im on this side so I have to protect my children. My sisters are on the other side and I worry about them. I wish I could see them. My sisters loved Slavik very much. They used to say, he is our elder brother. We didnt have a brother, just three sisters. My elder sister had a son and a daughter. Her son was killed in a car accident. When I wrote to them, I asked how they were. I said that we were all okay except that Ernik had been killed in the war. They loved Ernik very much. They my sister answered. She told me about her loss. Her 20-year old son died in a car accident. The Red Cross brought us the letters. I dont know anything about my younger sister. She had a son, but I dont know how they are now. I dont need anything now except peace and quiet, and to be able to see my sisters just once more. Thats all I need. Slavik: My love for my wife will never die. I will love her as I have always loved her. As Karabakh people used to say - I will love her till the end of my days. Until death do us part. Elmira: There should be compromises in families - thats what a family is based on. Slavik: The secret is - you need to love. I love you. Elmira: Alright, thats enough. Our life is like a film too. From beginning to end - a film. How else, do you think films are made?
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 19:36:34 +0000
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