Diversity exclusively presents a new video from “Lullaby for the mountains“, the debut feature film by Armenian director Hayk Matevosyan, which will have its Asian premiere at the 56th International Film Festival of India (MFFI), where it is the only Armenian choice.
The contemplative work, executive produced by Hungarian writer Béla Tarr, had its world premiere at Sheffield DocFest 2025 as part of the International First Feature Film Competition.
The film unfolds in 15 fairy-tale chapters, recounting a ghostly journey through the harsh highlands of Armenia. The wordless narrative, filmed entirely on location in Armenia, follows an unnamed figure as he journeys through ancient monasteries, mountainous landscapes and underground chambers, blurring the lines between reality and dreams.
In an interview with DiversityMatevosyan describes the project as a meditation on collective memory and loss. The director explains the significance of the IFFI premiere, noting the historical connections between Armenian and Indian cultures spanning centuries.
“What makes this Asian premiere so special is the deep connection between Armenian and Indian culture that goes back centuries,” says Matevosyan. “Armenian communities have been living in India for a long time, in cities like Kolkata and Chennai, but the connection has always been mutual.”
The director characterizes his work as an exploration of themes of displacement and cultural memory. “For me, Lullaby for the Mountains is about the ghosts that roam the earth, about collective memory and the silent traces of past and future lives,” he says.
Tarr's participation stems from Matevosyan's participation in the Locarno Spring Academy director's residency in 2019, where he created a short film under the guidance of the legendary director. This collaboration changed the young director's approach.
“Spending time with him really changed my approach to filmmaking,” recalls Matevosyan. “It opened my eyes to a whole new way of looking at images, atmosphere, landscape and characters.”
The director emphasizes Tarr's unorthodox mentoring philosophy: “He doesn't like the words 'training' or 'education,' and always says he's here to liberate us, not to teach us.”
During the filming of the short film-residence, Tarr showed Matevosyan the paintings of Caspar David Friedrich without comment. “That's when I really started to think about cinematic images as paintings, and not just as tools for story or plot,” says the director.
As executive producer, Tarr reviewed several versions and encouraged bold aesthetic choices. This support influenced Matevosyan's decision to eliminate voiceover narration entirely, allowing the soundscape and visuals to convey the narrative independently.
“I think ultimately Bela gave me the courage to just go out and make my debut film without thinking about any cinematic rules, and I am immensely grateful for that,” says Matevosyan.
The director received his directing education from UCLA and has participated in numerous prestigious programs including Berlinale Talent, Sarajevo Talent, IFFR sessions, the BFC workshop in the Peruvian Amazon led by Werner Herzog, and the Locarno Spring Academy.
His work has been shown at major festivals including Locarno, Slamdance DIG, Los Angeles Film Festival, Atlanta Film Festival, AGBU Film at Lincoln Center and the Werner Herzog Foundation. Matevosyan also directed the “Lives” video for System of A Down member Daron Malakian.
Lullaby for the Mountains is produced by Louise Yeranosyan and Matevosyan through their production company Dolly Bell Films. The cast included Ashot Matevosyan, Bella Gochikyan, Sargis Mosinyan, Luiza Yeranosyan and Hayk Mosinyan. Matevosyan worked as a screenwriter, director, cameraman and editor for the Armenia-US co-production.
Watch the clip here:
