The Royal Film Commission (RFC) of Jordan made headlines last week when it decided to withdraw the submission of an Armenian-Jordanian filmmaker’s documentary for the 97th Academy Awards’s Best International Film category. The film in question, “My Sweet Land” by director Sareen Hairabedian, tells the story of an 11-year-old Armenian boy named Vrej in the aftermath of the Second Artsakh War. The withdrawal was attributed to “diplomatic pressures” aimed at fostering stronger ties between Jordan and Azerbaijan.
In an interview with Hyperallergic, Hairabedian and producer Azza Hourani revealed that they received an email from the Academy on October 10 notifying them of the withdrawal without providing any further explanation. They were caught off guard as the RFC had been very supportive of the film from the beginning, even providing financial support through its Jordan Film Fund initiative in 2021. The filmmakers reached out to the RFC for clarification, only to learn that the decision was made following complaints and pressure from the Azerbaijani embassy.
“My Sweet Land” premiered at the Sheffield DocFest in England before being showcased at the Amman International Film Festival, where it garnered three awards in the Arab Feature Documentary category. However, the film faced backlash from Azerbaijani media outlets, which labeled it as slander and anti-Azerbaijani propaganda. Subsequently, the film was banned from screening in Jordan under pressure from Azerbaijan.
Aykhan Hajizada, spokesperson of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcomed the decision to suspend the film’s screening in Jordan, stating that the documentary goes against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan. He denied any allegations of pressure, attributing the RFC’s withdrawal to an independent decision.
Despite the setback, Hairabedian and Hourani remain determined to share Vrej’s story with the world. The Academy has approved “My Sweet Land” for entry in the Best Documentary Feature Film category, with a premiere scheduled at Laemmle Theatres in Los Angeles on November 29. The filmmakers expressed gratitude to the Academy for the opportunity to qualify in this category, emphasizing the importance of shedding light on the experiences of children affected by war and conflict.
In an effort to reach a wider audience, “My Sweet Land” will be screened in-person and online through DOC NYC in New York City. Hairabedian and Hourani will be present for a Q+A session after the screenings at Village East by Angelika. Despite facing censorship and challenges, the filmmakers are determined to share Vrej’s story and advocate for the rights of children living in conflict zones around the world.
