DOCUMENTARY | 139 MINS | 2024 | ETHIOPIA, ARMENIA | DIR: ARAMAZT KALAYJIAN, GAREGIN PAPOYAN | M | ENGLISH, AMHARIC, ARMENIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES

TEZETA is an eye-opening documentary that uncovers the Armenian roots in Ethiopian musical culture. It tells the story of a small community of Armenians in Addis Ababa and their significant contributions. With the unexpected royal adoption of 40 Armenian orphans from Jerusalem by Emperor Haile Selassie and their role as the first Ethiopian imperial band, these orphans would make way for the popularisation of brass instruments and the composition of Ethiopia's first national anthem by Kevork Nalbandian. 

The film highlights the jazz revolution led by his nephew Nerses, which swept the country before facing strict censorship under the Derg regime. Featuring interviews with music researcher Francis Falceto, Ethiopian jazz greats, and the last performances of key musicians, TEZETA offers a melodic journey through Ethiopia's forgotten musical history, revealing a golden era lost to memory.

Virtual Q&A with filmmaker Aramazt Kalayjian