YEREVAN — On March 5, the birthday of Vazken Sargsyan, the biographical film _Vazken: The Last Sparapet_ premiered on the big screen. Initiated and produced by his family, the film presents a deeply personal portrait of Vazken Sargsyan—not just as a military and state figure but also as a son, a caring uncle, a talented writer, and a loving man. The movie covers nearly all stages of his life, intertwined with key events in modern Armenian history.
Following the premiere at the Moscow Cinema, the film’s main producer and creator, Nono Sargsyan—who is Vazken Sargsyan’s niece—admitted that her uncle would not have approved of a film being made about him. She believes he would have been displeased, as he never liked public tributes, toasts in his honor, or songs dedicated to him.
The film traces Vazken Sargsyan’s childhood, adolescence, his difficult yet triumphant journey, and his tragic death. However, Nono Sargsyan chose to conclude the movie on an optimistic note, believing that people like Vazken Sargsyan still exist and that life goes on, encouraging the continuation of his mission.
The title _Vazken: The Last Sparapet_ was chosen because Vazken Sargsyan was the last Sparapet (Commander-in-Chief) of the 20th century. There is no hidden meaning behind the name.
“Vazken Sargsyan passed away at the end of the 20th century—just two months before entering the 21st century, which he had dreamed of,” Nono Sargsyan previously stated. She emphasized that her uncle carried great hope and light, which is reflected in the film.
Nono Sargsyan deliberately avoided delving into Vazken Sargsyan’s political activities, believing she had no right to present political issues from her own perspective, as it would be subjective.
**The Lead Role and Creative Team**
Honored Artist of Armenia, Khoren Levonyan, portrays Vazken Sargsyan in the film.
“I didn’t try to imitate Vazken Sargsyan because that would have felt like an animated caricature. Instead, I focused on conveying his energy, masculinity, mindset, and essence to the audience. My creative life has not been smooth or peaceful. I have always challenged things, refused to conform, and constantly strived for change. I believe this is a trait I inherited from my family, and I will always be this way,” said the actor, noting many similarities between himself and Vazken Sargsyan.
Khoren Levonyan compared one’s homeland to God. When asked about independence, he responded in character, saying:
“How can one question independence? That’s like asking how much you love your parents.”
The actor highlighted a powerful moment in the film, quoting Sargsyan:
_“We have always opened our doors and said, ‘This is our home. Come, kill us, consume us.’ But when someone finally dared to stand up, we cursed them with our own hands.”_
Levonyan expressed regret that such a mindset ever existed and wished people thought differently.
“We often either underestimate or overestimate ourselves. I believe in evaluating ourselves accurately—understanding who we are, what kind of people we have been in the past, and what kind of people we want to be in the future. I hope that culture and the arts will help address these questions and provide solutions because visual storytelling captivates people deeply,” he added.
Levonyan is convinced that many worthy Armenians have sacrificed their lives for their country without experiencing celebrations, the joy of their children’s love, or luxury—they simply dedicated themselves to their homeland.
“My father witnessed an unforgettable moment at the Sundukyan Theater when Vazken Sargsyan told my grandfather, Khoren Abrahamyan: _‘I grew up with your portrayal of Gevorg in the Saroyan Brothers, Master.’_ Art has immense power. In my opinion, our greatest victories should be measured by the culture and art we pass on to future generations—who we look up to and whom we wish to emulate.
Dushman Vardan, Monte Melkonian, Vazken Sargsyan—what movies did they grow up watching? They watched Soviet films that promoted the defeat of fascism, the sacrifice for one’s homeland, and victory. But today, we seem to lack such films,” Levonyan emphasized.
**Cast and Production**
Actress Marjan Avetisyan plays the role of Vazken Sargsyan’s mother, Greta. Honored Artist of Armenia Robert Hakobyan portrays his father. Young Vazken is played by Artush Baghdasaryan. The film also features renowned actors such as Louise Ghambaryan, Mkhitar Avetisyan, and others.
The film’s music was composed by Armen Martirosyan, and the production designer was Armen Ghazaryan. The screenplay was written by Levon Galstyan and Aram Karapetyan, with Karapetyan also serving as the film’s director.
Levon Galstyan believes that while the older and middle generations remember Vazken Sargsyan, and younger people have some awareness of his persona, his literary works remain largely unknown.
“Even among literature enthusiasts, Sargsyan’s writings are not widely recognized, which is unfortunate. I am glad that this film provides an opportunity to introduce audiences to fragments of his literary works, which are an integral part of his essence. These writings reveal fascinating layers of his worldview, thoughts on the homeland, and his perspective on women,” he noted.
The film was produced by _Genetic Production_, a company dedicated to showcasing Armenian identity, creative spirit, and the perseverance and triumph of the nation through the stories of historical and influential figures.
According to the creative team, Vazken Sargsyan brought the joy of victory to his people but never found time for personal happiness, remaining alone with his dreams and destiny.
The film is intended for audiences of all ages—young and old—anyone who cherishes their homeland, its victories, and the sacred memory of its heroic past.