LOS ANGELES –The Los Angeles premiere of the newly remastered “Strangers in a Promised Land,” Dr. J. Michael Hagopian’s classic documentary film about the struggles of the first Armenian settlers in Fresno, will be held Friday, November 15, 2024 at 7:00 pm at James Bridges Theatre in Melnitz Hall, on the UCLA campus. Admission is free.
This hour-long documentary, directed by filmmaker J. Michael Hagopian in 1984, was partly funded by federal grants and tells the story of the struggles of the first Armenian settlers in Fresno as they tried to create a new life in the legendary Central Valley, home to the richest farmland in the world.
Himself an early resident of Fresno, Hagopian believed the Armenian experience in California reflected the universal experience of immigrants arriving in America from all over the world.
Narrated by former California Governor George Deukmejian, “Strangers in a Promised Land” includes, among others, the story of artists such as William Saroyan and Varaz Samuelian; the Seropian family, who were among the first Armenians to arrive in the region; Malcolm Markarian, the “fig king” of America; and the Bedrosians and Pakchoians, who became leaders in the raisin industry.
Carla Garapedian, Ph.D., is a filmmaker and member of The Armenian Film Foundation, which has forged a new partnership with the Promise Armenian Institute – to support the study of Armenian film and filmmakers, as well as to create the Armenian Image Archive, a repository and platform for the study of Armenian photography – from early to contemporary photographers.
Bryan Bedrosian is a prominent member of the Fresno Armenian community. He is the President and CEO of Bedrosian Farms, an experienced ranch manager with over 40 years of expertise in managing large-scale farming operations. Bedrosian holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from California State University, Fresno.
