"The Priestess" Movie from Armenia Receives Royal Post-Production Treatment for Hollywood Debut

Hollywood, California, January 24, 2007 -- ArmenFilm Studios and Symphony Studios proudly present the U.S. premiere of the film "The Priestess" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, January 25, 2007 at 7:00pm. "The Priestess" is the sum of a four year journey, conceived by internationally acclaimed Armenian director, Vigen Chaldranian. Chaldranian brought the film to the United States to join forces with Hollywood born producer Mel Metcalfe III, award winning designer Sahak Ekshian and fellow Armenians Garen Vartanyan and Jovina Shahbazian, to complete the producing team. This international masterpiece was shot on 35mm in Armenia over fourteen months and stars Rouzan Vit Mesropyan ("Vodka Lemon") as the Priestess, with Chaldranian among a cast of hundreds of Armenian actors.

"The Priestess," written by Chaldranian and renown Armenian screenwriter Anahit Aghasaryan, draws inspiration from "an anonymous woman" recorded in the mysterious Fourth Century manuscript 'The History" by Armenian historian Agathangelos. This unknown, yet consequential woman, becomes the keystone to Armenia's history as the first nation to accept Christianity. Chaldranian uses this engaging plot to create a film about Armenia's history that everyone can relate to. Chaldranian adds, "The Priestess is not an historical film. It is a film about history. As such, history is an interlude in between the past and the present in which spirits stir even today."

The film is set in Armenia, in present day Yerevan, with flashbacks to the ancient past, circa 301 AD, a time when pagan gods and priestesses ruled the nation. Cinematic framing of the Armenian countryside nestled in front of a biblically famous Mount Ararat backdrop, creates a spectacular canvas to unfold this thought-provoking account, with memorable performances by Mesropyan and Chaldranian. The film is in Armenian accompanied by English subtitles, runs 109 minutes in length, with original music composed by Ara Gevorkian and Nathan Lanier.

"The Priestess" Synopsis -- "One woman's destiny will change a nation forever. After a near fatal accident in present day Armenia, a woman suffering with amnesia begins to remember a life that occurred many centuries ago. The childhood spent in an enchanted solitude. The father she adores. The husband she worships. The son she would sacrifice everything for…And the fate that would shape the history of her nation."

Chaldranian's apparent cultural-spiritual threads, translate to more than pure parable for the religious-hearted Armenian community. "The Priestess" is imperative viewing for anyone fascinated with epic film making and great story-telling. Chaldranian's previous film, the award winning "Symphony of Silence" (2001), paved history as the first Armenian film to qualify for consideration as Best Foreign Language Film by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Other filmography credits include "Kyrie Eleison," "The Voice in the Wilderness" and "Its History, Meaning and Consecration," with Chaldranian's fifteenth and latest, "The Priestess" rapidly making history of it's own.

"The Priestess" is the first Armenian-American film shot in Armenia, by an Armenian director, to undergo this crème de la crème post-production royal treatment to deliver Chaldranian's tour de force. Hollywood post-production vanguards FotoKem, Technicolor, Dolby, T&T Effects, Level 3 and Magic, engaged their brilliance, under the guidance of post-production supervisor, Matt Danciger - Switch Studios, to complete a thrift four month schedule in ready for the feature's debut at the iconic Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

Interest in attending the Grauman's screening has exceeded the producers' expectations, creating momentum beyond the patriotic and supportive community of Glendale (a.k.a "Little Armenia"). Additional screenings have been secured at The Alex Theatre, Glendale and The Castro Theatre, San Francisco, with interest from New York, Massachusetts and Toronto.

For tickets call 818.265.0506. For more film, screening and ticket information and to view the trailer, please visit the official "The Priestess" Movie website:

http://www.thepriestessmovie.com/

"The Priestess" is a joint venture by ArmenFilm Studios and Symphony Studios. Producing partners include Mel Metcalfe III, Sahak Ekshian, Vigen Chaldranian and executive producers Garen Vartanyan and Jovina Shahbazian. As an award-winning third generation filmmaker, Mel Metcalfe understands the importance of balance between the director's needs and budget. Metcalfe said "Working on The Priestess was an amazing experience. I could appreciate Vigen's artistic vision. The challenge was making it happen, and we did." Fellow Symphony producer and industry veteran Sahak Ekshian, himself a recipient of several Key Art awards, who has been friends and film making partners with Chaldranian for fifteen years. Ekshian says of Chaldranian, "Working with Vigen, is knowing he is a perfectionist. This film is perfect."

Symphony Studios LLC.
10600 Culver Blvd
Culver City CA 90232
310.559.9997
Renee Metcalfe
info@theprietessmovie.com
http://www.thepriestessmovie.com/

This release was published on openPR.