A compelling new film, "Between Borders", will be in theaters from January 26–28, portraying the harrowing yet inspiring journey of the Petrosyan family. This Armenian family fled their home in Baku, Azerbaijan, during the anti-Armenian massacres of the late 1980s, seeking safety amidst political turmoil and widespread discrimination.
The Petrosyan family — Ivan, Violetta, and their daughters Olga and Julia — endured unimaginable hardships as they escaped Azerbaijan, faced rejection in Russia, and eventually found hope and a spiritual home through the support of an American missionary church.
Olga, only four years old during the violence, shared that watching their story unfold on screen has been profoundly healing. Reflecting on the trauma of her childhood, she noted, “Growing up, you don’t realize there’s a life not lived like this. But as you grow older and life becomes more stable, you begin to understand the depth of what you’ve been through.”
Watching the film with others has given her a sense of validation and healing. “It’s like you are seen and known,” she explained. “Hearing others process your story helps affirm that those painful experiences were real and significant.”
Violetta, the matriarch of the family, described the emotional journey of revisiting their past on the big screen. “It was so intense, bringing back memories. At the same time, I was in awe and wonder that God made it happen,” she said.
In Volgograd, Russia, after fleeing Azerbaijan, the Petrosyans encountered a church led by American missionaries. There, Violetta experienced a life-changing conversion to Christianity. Raised in the Communist era, she had been taught that God did not exist and was once a staunch Communist Party member.
“When God came into our life in Volgograd, it was an immediate click. I realized I’d always known God existed but had pushed Him away. My conversion happened on my physical birthday, October 6,” Violetta shared.
Olga reflected on the transformative power of faith for her family. “I saw my family before Christ and after Christ. The difference it makes to be united in Christ in the midst of hopelessness is profound. Even with the same trials, Christ bound us together and gave us strength.”
The Petrosyans hope that "Between Borders" will convey the destructive power of hatred and the redemptive power of forgiveness. Olga emphasized that the film is not about blaming any one group but showing the consequences of division. “It’s not ‘Look at what Azeris have done.’ It’s ‘Look what hatred between two groups can do — but also look at what God can do through it.’”
Violetta added, “No matter how severe the conflict, love and forgiveness always conquer.”
The Petrosyan family’s journey is a testament to resilience, faith, and the transformative power of God’s love. Their story will undoubtedly inspire audiences to reflect on the importance of forgiveness and the enduring hope found in faith.