Ani from Planet Namseki

This film is about Ani Khachatryan, a young Armenian writer. Her work is described as magical realism. She has created an imaginary planet called Namseki. Ani grew up in Yerevan and lived there until she was accepted to teach english in a borderline village school at Choratan, 6 kilometres away from the Azerbeijani border in a high risk conflict zone. This documentary concentrates on the personal transformation of Ani. Why did she decide to leave the city? What did she find here? How did her creative work change? With Ani’s transformation Namseki has transformed as well. She expands the realities of Namseki by actively recording her reality from Choratan in her diary, which she wants to, one day, print out in a form of one, thick book.

Directed by Sona Khachatryan, Ani from Planet Namseki leans on a strong ensemble — Ani Khachatryan — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 2021.