Vodka Lemon

• Romen Avinian as Hamo
• Lala Sarkissian as Nina

Vodka Lemon is a 2003 film produced by Kurdish director Hiner Saleem.

Action

The story is set in a Kurdish village in Armenia jesidischem suffering economically by the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Kurdish widower Hamo, the father of three sons visited daily his wife's grave. At the cemetery he learns the Nina also widowed, who works in a local bar called Vodka Lemon, know. The Vodka Lemon is on the verge of collapse. The two destitute begin an unexpected relationship that both can live again.

Awards

• Best Picture in addition to competition Controcorrente International Film Festival of Venice 2003
• Jury Award, Feature Film / Best Actor, Newport Beach Film Festival 2004
• Grand Prize, Jury Prize and Best Photography, Mons International Festival of Love Films 2004
• Don Quixote Prize in the Norwegian Tromsø Internasjonale Film Festival 2004
• Nominated for Best Film 2003 Bangkok Film Festival 2004

Trivia

Despite the prizes won the producers were not able to obtain recognition as a French film the movie because too little was spoken French in the movie. The French managers found that 41 words were missing to make the film are considered French film. This setback led the producing company dulcine film into bankruptcy.

Hiner Saleem plays a small role in the film.