The Story

Armenian singer Parkev Saroyan arrives in Australia at the invitation of his old friend Maxim Minasyan, who promises him concerts and a new life. Maxim organizes the filming of a documentary about Parkev's stay in Sydney. During filming, profound themes are revealed: friendship, nostalgia, midlife crisis, alcoholism, loneliness, the search for oneself in art, and the clash of cultures.

Main characters:
Parkev – a talented artist going through a crisis, recovering from alcoholism, searching for himself in a new cultural space.
Maxim – a charismatic, controversial, sometimes rude but loyal friend, living with debts and inner demons.
Sonya – Maxim's young wife, tired of his behaviour but still loving him.
Nala – a DJ of Aboriginal descent, fascinated by the mixing of cultures and ethnic music.
Sedrak Jevedyan – an elderly Armenian who has created an Armenian library in Australia, a symbol of his connection to his homeland.
Ravindra – an Indian documentary filmmaker who lives in Australia and is making a film about an Armenian singer.
Paul – a German cinematographer living in the US who worked on Fassbinder's film as Balhaus's assistant. Paul is in love with Nala and competes with her boyfriend Kevin.
Kevin – a surfer and DJ Nala's boyfriend.

Main themes:
Culture shock and cultural dialogue: Armenian music vs. indigenous electronic music; tradition vs. modernity; creativity and commerce – is it possible to remain authentic while working in the mainstream?
Relationships, friendship and betrayal: Parkev and Maxim's relationship is put to the test; loneliness and aging: the characters feel useless in a rapidly changing world.
Memory and identity: the theme of the “stolen generations” of Aboriginal people echoes Armenian history.

Artistic features:
A multi-layered structure: the script combines realistic dialogue, elements of black humour, lyrical digressions, and metaphors (for example, the “snake” as a symbol of creativity and mythology).
Dynamic editing: multiple cameras are used (main camera, GoPro, Nala's phone), creating a documentary-style effect.
Language: lively, rich in dialogue, using Armenian, Russian, and English lines to create atmosphere.
Characters: Complex, intense, multifaceted .

An original plot with elements of drama, comedy, and philosophical parable.

Topical themes:
Migration, cultural integration: ethnic identity.
Vivid, memorable scenes (concert at the Paranga club, episode with Sedrak's library).

Key themes:
Redemption, Friendship, Nostalgia, Midlife Crisis, Cultural Dialogue, The Power of Art, Memory and Oblivion.

Verdict of the screenplay experts:
This is a mature, emotionally rich script with strong dialogue and deep themes. It requires careful reading and could form the basis for a powerful independent film.

"Apricots Down Under" is not a story about stellar success, but about human dignity, redemption, and how art can become a bridge between cultures and personal tragedies. It is a profound, multifaceted film that combines powerful drama, dark humour, and an unforgettable soundtrack. It offers the viewer not just a story, but an emotional journey that will stay with them for a long time.

"Apricots Down Under" is a Armenian–Dutch–French–Australian co-production.Armenian Australian -Dutch- French co-production.