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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.

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