By Gabriella Gage
Mirror-Spectator Staff
WATERTOWN — The creators of the recently released “Lost and Found in Armenia” say they wanted to create more than just a film about Armenians — they wanted to showcase current Armenian talent and culture in the arts.
The film is the story of Bill (Jamie Kennedy), an American tourist and son of a US Senator who vacations in Turkey trying to mend his broken heart. After a strange parasailing accident, Bill unknowingly finds himself in a small village in Armenia where he is accused of being a Turkish spy. In a comedic series of events, Bill meets a beautiful Armenian girl (Angela Sarafyan) who helps him navigate his plight.
The film’s producer, Valerie McCaffrey grew up in Fresno’s Armenian community and her mother hails from Lowell, Mass. Prior to her work as a producer, McCaffrey studied theater at the University of Hawaii before graduating from California State University, Long Beach. She worked for eight years a casting director for Universal Studios and then as the vice president of casting at New Line Cinema. Her film credits include films such as “American History X,” and she is credited with discovering actors such as Jeremy Renner and Ellen Page.
The initial idea for the film began with actor Vachik Mangassarian, who plays Josef in the film. After hearing the story concept, McCaffrey said she was “sold.”
