Butterfly Maneuvers
Butterfly Manoeuvres’ is an experimental essay film based on old, private film footage of fighter planes. The film documents the preparations and training for war, recorded as historical evidence.
An artful fusion of images and sounds creates a unique cinematic experience. It is interesting to note that the soundtrack does not always correspond exactly with the visual impressions. This deliberate discrepancy between image and sound was chosen to create new associations and perspectives.
A central motif of the film is the contrast between the destructive fighter planes and the fragile, seemingly lost images of butterflies. This juxtaposition symbolises the transience and irreversible destruction caused by war. ‘Butterfly Manoeuvres’ is therefore not only a documentary record, but also a profound reflection on war, loss and the fleeting beauty of life.’
Country of Origin: Germany
GOR MARGARYAN, Director
An artful fusion of images and sounds creates a unique cinematic experience. It is interesting to note that the soundtrack does not always correspond exactly with the visual impressions. This deliberate discrepancy between image and sound was chosen to create new associations and perspectives.
A central motif of the film is the contrast between the destructive fighter planes and the fragile, seemingly lost images of butterflies. This juxtaposition symbolises the transience and irreversible destruction caused by war. ‘Butterfly Manoeuvres’ is therefore not only a documentary record, but also a profound reflection on war, loss and the fleeting beauty of life.’
Country of Origin: Germany
GOR MARGARYAN, Director
Gor Margaryan is a filmmaker and media artist who is doing his doctorate at the Film University Babelsberg. His artistic-scientific research focuses on the ethical dimension of war films in virtual reality (VR). He explores the possibilities and development of VR as an innovative cinematic medium and in particular sheds light on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creative design process.
Margaryan's work is characterised by his active involvement at the interface between science and art. For example, he developed his essay film ‘Hydrography’ (2017) in collaboration with the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research.
His film ‘Phantom Flight’ (2022) - which also deals with the problem of depicting war - was awarded the rating ‘particularly valuable’ by the German Film and Media Rating.