• $500 Million Bet on an Ancient Legend: India’s “Ramayana” Aims to Take on Hollywood

  “This is all my money. All the risk is on me. I'm going all in,” Malhotra told CNN in an interview...

• Three Armenians Named Among Los Angeles' 34 Most Influential Men by Los Angeles Magazine

  Los Angeles Magazine has included three members of the Armenian community in its annual 2026 L.A. Man List, recognising 34 men who are making an impact on the cultural, business and social life of Los Angeles. Those honoured include screenwriter and producer Sev Ohanian, hospitality entrepreneur John Terzian, and entertainment lawyer and film producer Vahan Yepremyan...

• Serge Avedikian: “Armenian Cinema Needs to Speak a Language the Whole World Can Understand”

  Artificial intelligence is intelligent, but not in the way humans are. It compares information and tries to find the most appropriate way to respond. But people do not always need to give the most correct answer. They need to respond through emotions and through their own original perceptions...

• UFC Fighter Melsik Baghdasaryan to Star in New Action Film Alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme

  Armenian mixed martial artist Melsik Baghdasaryan has joined the cast of KATANA, an upcoming action film starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Armenian Film Society reports...

• Armenian Wine Week: An Initiative Calling on Armenians Around the World to Become Ambassadors for Their National Winemaking Heritage

  From November 8 to 14, Armenia will celebrate Armenian Wine Week, an initiative inviting every Armenian to become an ambassador for the country's winemaking heritage...

• ReAnimania Turns 18: International Animation Festival Expands Its Program and Unveils New Projects

  The 18th ReA International Animation Film and Comics Art Festival (ReAnimania) will take place in Yerevan from November 7 to 14...

• Lucy Hale Reunites with Pretty Little LiarsCostar Ian Harding in Dreamy The 12 Dates of Christmas Trailer

  Christmas has come early for Ezria fans…

• A Real Zebra, Black Caviar and Animal-Inspired Costumes: Donald Trump Hosts a “Wild Jungle” Halloween Party at Mar-a-Lago

  Donald Trump went all out for Halloween this year...

As part of the 23rd Golden Apricot International Film Festival, AGBU Armenia hosted "A Rendezvous with Simon Abkarian," a special conversation with the acclaimed French-Armenian actor. The discussion was prompted not only by Abkarian's latest role as General Charles de Gaulle in the historical two-part film De Gaulle, which is being screened at the festival, but also by a broader question: why is contemporary cinema increasingly drawn to historical figures, and what role do such films play in society?

According to Abkarian, the growing popularity of biographical films is no coincidence. He noted that after decades of relative stability, the world is once again facing major historical challenges, and art has always been sensitive to such shifts. Historical films, he argued, help preserve collective memory by reminding societies of the people and events that shaped the present.

"If we don't tell our own stories, no one else will," the actor said, adding that a nation's future is ultimately shaped through its cultural narrative.

A significant part of the discussion focused on his portrayal of Charles de Gaulle. Abkarian explained that he immersed himself in archival footage, photographs, interviews, and the French leader's mannerisms while preparing for the role. Yet, he emphasized that physical resemblance was never his primary objective.

According to the actor, there are two extremes when portraying a historical figure: simply imitating the person or completely abandoning their essence. True acting, he believes, exists somewhere between those two approaches.

"For many years, I've asked myself the same question: What is acting? How do you convey another human being through yourself? I still haven't found the answer," he admitted.

Reflecting on his craft, Abkarian said he does not believe there is a single correct acting method. Every actor, in his view, finds their own path to a role while maintaining emotional honesty and self-awareness. He also spoke about his career in French cinema and collaborations with renowned directors, revealing that his appearance in Casino Royale earned him $100,000 for just 10 days of filming, a sum he said felt extraordinary back in 2006.

The conversation concluded with questions from the audience about national identity, building an international career, and the future of Armenian cinema. Abkarian argued that Armenia does not need just one major historical film, but an entire tradition of them.

"We could make a film about Andranik or any other remarkable historical figure. But it isn't about choosing a single hero. We need dozens of these films. Look at France. Hundreds of films have been made about de Gaulle. That's how historical memory is built," he said.

Follow NEWS.am STYLE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram