Filmmakers about Monte Melkonyan  face hurdle over Ministry of  Defense denial for military scene filming

ArmInfo. The filmmakers about Monte Melkonyan have encountered  problems after the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia refused to support the filming of military scenes,  as stated by Nono Sargsyan, co-founder of the  film company Genetic Production, idea author and chief producer of  the film Monte.

Speaking via the film company's official Facebook page, Sargisyan  shared that the decision to create a feature film about Monte  Melkonian was made long ago, during the production of Vazgen: The  Last General, as the two projects are intended to be sequential.

 "The most important step was getting the consent and blessing of  Monte Melkonyan's wife, Mrs. Seda. At the time, some people said it  was impossible because she had not given approval for many years, and  would likely not grant it to us either—though she had her own valid  reasons. I knew, however, that if you have a goal, you have to try,  and if it doesn't work out, at least you'll know you did everything  possible," Sargsyan noted. She added that a warm rapport was  established during their very first phone call, leading both Mrs.   Seda and Monte's brother, Margar Melkonian, to grant their consent—a  milestone she described as both a great joy and a profound  responsibility. 

The creative team features Suren Safaryan as director and Suren  Tadevosyan as director of photography.  Actor Vladimir Msryan has  been cast as Monte, Ripsime Naapetyan will portray Seda, and Khoren  Levonyan will reprise his role as Vazgen Sargsyan. 

However, as the producer noted, a few days before filming began, the  RA Ministry of Defense refused to support the filming of war scenes.  "It was an unbearable situation for a film like this. No matter who  you are, you can't film war scenes yourself, because such scenes  usually require the support of the Ministry of Defense, and their  representatives arrive. It was probably one of the most difficult and  nerve-wracking situations in my life, when I had to tell the film  crew that there would be no filming. It was very difficult, and if  you ask me how we ultimately managed it, I won't give a clear answer.  Patriotic people stepped forward  and extended a helping hand. And,  ultimately, this film is not about me, but about Monte Melkonyan,"  Nono Sargsyan noted.