Syrian Refugees Are Helped by LA-Based Armenian-Catholic Priest to Secure Their Lives in America In New Heartfelt Documentary WHATEVER DREAMS THEY HAD
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Los Angeles, Calif. – Sept. 11, 2024 – PBS SoCal, Southern California’s flagship PBS organization, announced today the premiere and pre-release of the new 30-minute film WHATEVER DREAMS THEY HAD from Storyshop, LLC. The heartfelt documentary distributed to PBS stations nationwide by Detroit PBS through NETA, tells the story of an Armenian-Catholic priest in Los Angeles who works tirelessly to aid refugees escaping the atrocities in Syria to secure their lives in America. Father Armenag, an immigrant who himself lost many family members to ISIS, provides an example of what it means to truly be Christian, and, to truly be a humanitarian. WHATEVER DREAMS THEY HAD makes its world broadcast television premiere just prior to the start of Armenian Cultural Month in October on Sat., Sept. 14 at 6:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal’s Broadcast Channel, PBS SoCal Plus. Encore airings will take place on Sun., Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus and on Thurs., Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal.
Following the broadcast, the film will stream at www.pbssocal.org/WhateverDreamsTheyHad as well as on the free PBS app and PBS.org.
The film follows Father Armenag, an Armenian-Syrian immigrant and priest who is beloved by his Armenian-Catholic parish and his immigrant community in Los Angeles. His cell phone is always ringing with requests for help. Going beyond his daily parish responsibilities, he reaches into immigrant communities to understand the cultural values, beliefs, and needs of the immigrants he aids, even to the extent of pursuing a graduate degree in Islamic Studies.
Viewers will see Father Armenag’s humanitarian efforts range from helping a young Armenian Syrian woman with hand cancer to assisting a refugee who receives her long-sought green card. He works ceaselessly against a backdrop of personal sorrow. Some of the priest’s family members are refugees in far-flung places worldwide, while others are at risk in Syria. Every day he battles sadness and fatigue, filling his waking hours with prayer and outreach to those in need. Father Armenag sets an example for all to follow.
Major funding for the film comes from the Hamparian Family Foundation and the United Armenian Charities, among several other additional funding partners and individuals included HERE.
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