Anthony Slide to Present Oldest Genocide Film, Ravished Armenia

Anthony Slide to Present Oldest Genocide Film, Ravished Armenia –

GLENDALE, CA – Abril Bookstore’s Armenian Film Society will present a screening of Ravished Armenia, with a special lecture by film historian, Anthony Slide and book signing reception on Friday, April 1, 2016 at 7:30pm at Abril Bookstore – 415 E. Broadway, Glendale, CA. Admission is free. Reception to follow.

In 1918, Oscar Apfel directed the silent film Ravished Armenia for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which became the first genocide film ever made. Ravished Armenia is based on the autobiographical book by Arshaluys (Aurora) Mardiganian, who also plays the lead role in the film. The film depicts the 1915 Armenian Genocide by the Ottoman Empire from the point of view of Armenian survivor Mardiganian. Only 24 minutes of the original 90 minute film currently exists. The rest has been lost.

Anthony Slide has authored more than seventy books on the history of popular entertainment and is noted for his pioneering and groundbreaking efforts to document lesser-known areas of film history.