OVERLAPPING IDENTITIES: ARAM ARAM

When do gangs become the solution for problems faced by teenage immigrants? How are they to carry the mix of their own distinct yet overlapping identities? This is an overwhelming part of the Armenian experience in the Los Angeles Diaspora, where today’s youth are confronted by the difficult identities of being a Diasporan, immigrant, teenager, and gang member.

***

For Immediate Release

October 9, 2015

USC INSTITUTE OF ARMENIAN STUDIES

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California, USA

Contact: Salpi Ghazarian, Director

Armenian@usc.edu

213.821.3943          

                                                                       OVERLAPPING IDENTITIES: ARAM ARAM

When do gangs become the solution for problems faced by teenage immigrants? How are they to carry the mix of their own distinct yet overlapping identities? This is an overwhelming part of the Armenian experience in the Los Angeles Diaspora, where today’s youth are confronted by the difficult identities of being a Diasporan, immigrant, teenager, and gang member.

To address these questions, on October 18, at 3 pm at the Pacific Theatres at the Americana in Glendale, the USC Institute of Armenian Studies will host A Difficult Conversation About Overlapping Identities: Diasporan, Immigrant, Gang Member, Teenager, following a screening of ARAM, ARAM – a film by Christopher Chambers. Salpi Ghazarian, Director, USC Institute of Armenian Studies will be in conversation with Christopher Chambers (Director/Producer, ARAM, ARAM), and Ara Arzumanian (Program Director, USC College Advising Corps). After the screening and the panel, viewers are invited to meet the panelists and the actors at The Famous [PROGRAM DETAILS BELOW].

ARAM, ARAM tells the story of a 12-year-old Armenian boy who is uprooted from his home in Bourj Hamoud, Lebanon and forced to emigrate to Los Angeles. Aram’s unexpected move to a foreign country, an unfamiliar neighborhood, his lack of English – all push him towards difficult life choices. The invitation to ‘belong’ comes with dangerous consequences.    

“We live in Los Angeles, where immigration, acculturation, assimilation are often neither smooth nor kind, especially for children.  Yet the sociological and psychological underpinnings of this process are not explored as an issue of community relevance. ARAM, ARAM does explore them in the case of one young boy. This is a wonderful, almost easy opportunity to ask the tough questions,” says Salpi Ghazarian, the director of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies.

Tickets for the screening can be purchased at www.fandango.com.

FULL PROGRAM

3:00 pm – Screening at the Pacific Theatres at the Americana on Brand

4:30 pm – Panel discussion

5:00 pm – Reception: Meet the panelists and actors at The Famous (All drinks half off for guest holding a 3:00 pm movie ticket)

PARKING

Guests are advised to park in the Caruso Parking at the Americana, located at the corner of Brand and Americana Way.

xxxxx

About the Institute

Established in 2005, the USC Institute of Armenian Studies supports multidisciplinary scholarship to re-define, explore and study the complex issues that make up the contemporary Armenian experience – from post-Genocide to the developing Republic of Armenia to the evolving Diaspora. The institute encourages research, publications and public service, and benefits from communication technologies that link together the global academic and Armenian communities.

# # #

For information:

3501 Trousdale Parkway

Mark Taper Hall of Humanities (THH 308)

Los Angeles, CA 90089-4355

213.821.3943

armenian@usc.edu