There Was, There Was Not

Several women from Artsakh share their stories, plans, and dreams of a better life as they rebuild themselves in the aftermath of war. A year later, their trajectory is forever changed when war is declared once more, forcing them to adapt to a new, harrowing reality as Azerbaijan commits genocide on the indigenous people.

The fierce feminists of Artsakh: Svetlana, Gayane, Siranush, and Sose welcome us into their lives as they pave the way in sport, politics, and women's refuge, and provide for their children in a state where women's rights are scarce. The experiences of trailblazing women making waves in their unrecognised nation are enough fuel for a captivating documentary; however, There Was, There Was Not, does not stop there. What begins as a hopeful tale of empowerment transforms into a layered and painfully raw account of loss on an unimaginable scale.

"They live in a place that no longer exists." Captured in real time and in three parts (pre, during, and post-war), we witness their blossoming careers halt as these women must fight, flee, protest, and offer aid to the civilians caught in the crossfire. Sose goes from teaching kids judo to teaching them how to load a gun as they repurpose their talents and fight against the ethnic-cleansing and genocide of their people, before dealing with the devastating result as their land is stolen from beneath their feet. Dreams shatter in front of the camera as campaign fliers for female politicians are exchanged for pamphlets on bomb safety – a stark reminder of how regressive our world has become.

Filmmaking of the highest importance. This documentary not only offers unbelievable insight i Artsakh; it's now historical, archival, and sacred, remembering a place that once was, and the women who lived there. As time goes by, stories are all that remain, and artefacts of these moments become a necessity for preserving history. As war, genocide, and ethnic-cleansing, once again, become more prevalent around the world, There Was, There Was Not offers a warning to those who are willing to listen, education for the uninformed West, and comfort to those who once called Artsakh their home through moving and poignant memorialized testimony.

Grace. Only one thing overpowers the darkness of their life-shattering reality, and that's grace. Siranush tells the director, Emily Mkrtichian, that "we have to stay beautiful, no matter what" - a comment that in any other context could be interpreted as anti-feminist and spoken from the clutches of oppression; however, it perfectly captures the essence of these strong, steadfast women, and all women who fight for a better life. Amidst this pain and suffering, they must stay beautiful; composed, resilient, and above all, graceful. A trait seldom seen in the men who caused this devastation. The sixth sense of femininity throws the most effective punch, and is not only exercised by the documentary's subjects, but by the director herself. The entire framework and overarching message of the film is that of grace, as Mkrtichian manages to capture compassion and hope in the middle of mass destruction through her sororal lens.

Above and beyond. This is a multifaceted piece of work that goes beyond the typical paradigms of storytelling. Yet, the framework is presented like a fairytale – bookending the work with the important reminder that our stories can never be stripped from us, no matter how unbelievable and inhumane they may seem. In the face of genocide and the patriarchy, these women stood up, spoke out, and led by example with grace and dignity. A shocking moment in time that can now be witnessed, studied, and remembered, all thanks to one woman and her camera. The commendable efforts of these women were captured and immortalised through film as they stand on their land and push back against oppression, and that can never be erased, regardless of the savage political landscape, because above all else, "their stories were the only power they had left."

Gayane: They said they could arrest me for what I'm doing [...] One of my sons is in the army. They could harm him. They could get my husband fired, or they could assault us in the street.

Emily: But you'll keep going?

Gayane: Of course.