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Azza Hourani is the producer of the documentary "My Sweet Land." COURTESY WHBPAC
Vrej, an 11-year-old Armenian boy, is the subject of the documentary "My Sweet Land." HAI CREATIVE LLC/SISTER PRODUCTIONS/SOILSIU FILMS
A scene from the documentary "My Sweet Land." HAI CREATIVE LLC/SISTER PRODUCTIONS/SOILSIU FILMS
A scene from the documentary "My Sweet Land." HAI CREATIVE LLC/SISTER PRODUCTIONS/SOILSIU FILMS
A scene from the documentary "My Sweet Land." HAI CREATIVE LLC/SISTER PRODUCTIONS/SOILSIU FILMS
Vrej, an 11-year-old Armenian boy, is the subject of the documentary "My Sweet Land." HAI CREATIVE LLC/SISTER PRODUCTIONS/SOILSIU FILMS
Sareen Sareen Hairabedian directs "My Sweet Land." COURTESY WHBPAC
The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center (WHBPAC) Rose & Don Ciampa World Cinema Series will screen the Long Island premiere of Armenian war documentary “My Sweet Land” with a special filmmaker discussion moderated by film critic and journalist Andrew Botsford on May 10 at 7 p.m.
“My Sweet Land” is a coming-of-age story set against a multigenerational war in the post-Soviet Caucasus Mountains. It follows an 11-year-old boy named Vrej, growing up in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) who dreams of becoming a dentist in his picture-postcard village with its roaming ducks and golden bees. His sweet land, however, is strewn with mines from previous wars, shaping a country that remains unrecognized to the world. Vrej’s life takes a sudden turn when war erupts, forcing him to flee with his family. He spends his days in exile impatiently waiting for victory, but reality takes a different turn; Armenians lose the war. Upon returning to his surviving village, he confronts the devastation, new power dynamics, and education that prepares children for near-future battles. Vrej must learn the rules of war … But can he carry a nation’s hopes on his young shoulders? The film is a testament to the people of Artsakh, where hope and trauma had shaped their resilience across generations.
Director/producer Sareen Hairabedian is an Armenian-Jordanian documentary filmmaker based in the U.S. Through her intimate observational filming style, she captures the unspoken stories of the underrepresented.
“At the WHBPAC, we believe in the power of film to spark conversation and connect us to stories beyond our own,’” said WHBPAC marketing director Heather Draskin. “‘My Sweet Land’ is a beautiful and deeply human story of resilience and identity, and we’re honored to bring its Long Island premiere to our community. We hope this screening reminds audiences of the universal strength found in hope and perseverance.”
The screening aims to raise global awareness, foster dialogue and understanding of the Armenian people, support humanitarian aid and preserve cultural heritage.
Tickets can be purchased at whbpac.org or 631-288-1500. The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center is at 76 Main Street in Westhampton Beach.
Staff Writer on Apr 27, 2025