Survive, Remember, Thrive

2022 | 17 min

"Survive, Remember, Thrive: Armenian Traditions in Western New York" is a documentary celebrating the local expressions of Armenian culture and heritage. This film is a collaboration between the Folk Arts Program at the Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University and the Buffalo Documentary Project.

Cast and Crew

Directed and Edited by: Mani Mehrvarz
Produced by: CASTELLANI ART MUSEUM OF NIAGARA UNIVERSITY
CO-PRODUCER: Buffalo Documentary Project
Featuring ANI AVDOIAN, KATHY PELLER, DAWN SAKALIAN 
Art director MARYAM MULIAE
Director of Photography: MATTHEW A. NARDONE
Production assistant and Camera B: Justin Sanchez
Executive Producers: Mani Mehrvarz, Maryam Muliaee
Sound: Michael Bouquard
Music Credits:
Dance of Garin (Traditional Armenian Music)
Anthems of Armenian Apostolic Church
Armenian Duduk Melody by Brais González
Haberband by Djivan Gasparian (excerpt)
Drone shots: Justin Sanchez
Archive Footage:
Corner Stone Laid 1951
Pete Stepanian, courtesy of Deacon Albert & Deborah Avdoian Amato.
Locations:
Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University
St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church, Niagara Falls, NY

Thank You:
John Sakalian, Alex Dzadur, Barbara Malkasian, Victoria Yuzbasheva, Lina Mirzoian, Zoey Maggiore, Kayla Maggiore, Nick Flinchum, Stephen Flinchum, Jamie Haig
Castellani Art Museum staff:
Ellen Owens, Museum Director; Michael J. Beam, Curator of Exhibitions and Special Projects; Edward Y.J. Millar, Curator of Folk Arts; Mary Helen Miskuly, Registrar; Tara L. Walker, Senior Manager of Marketing & Museum Public Relations; Amanda Sharpe, Office Coordinator


This film is made possible in part through the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, NYSCA Living Traditions, and Niagara University.