Days after Shoghakat Vardanyan's brother goes missing during the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan she begins to film her family. The result is a film that documents the loss of a loved one into the void and the toll it takes on those left behind.
Crushing documentary about loss and grief made worse by not having any answers, 1489 moves us in ways we rarely go. Yes, we've all lost someone but how many of us have lost someone without a trace? Normally if someone gets lost you can call the police but in time of war what can you do?
Told in long takes we go deep into the sadness of Vardanyan and her family. We are not able to look away because of how the film is shot- straight on and unblinking. Because this was only shot by Vardanyan herself there is no cutaways, no pick up shots, just what we see.
I was rocked by the film and my plans to watch another in quick succession was cast aside as I went outside and took a walk.
This is one of the best films at First Look so go see it. (And bring tissues)
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