Watch The President's Sun
- 2017
- 5 hr
The President’s Sun is a heartwarming and humorous movie that tells the story of an unlikely friendship between the President of Armenia and a rebellious teenager. The movie opens with Arman (Dan Hodapp), a typical American teenager who seems to have lost his way. His parents are divorced, and he’s having trouble finding his place in the world. When his mother sends him to Armenia to live with his strict and traditional grandfather, Arman is anything but happy. He finds it hard to adjust to his new life, but things take a turn when he accidentally takes a selfie with the President of Armenia (Ken Davitian).
The selfie goes viral, and the President’s team tries everything to remove it from social media. But the President (who is known for his charisma and down-to-earth personality) sees something in Arman that he likes. He invites Arman to the Presidential Palace and decides to take him under his wing. The President’s sun, Vardan (Anoush NeVart), who is roughly the same age as Arman and who loves American basketball, becomes fast friends with Arman.
The rest of the movie follows Arman’s journey from being a rebellious teenager to someone who finds purpose and meaning in life. We see him attend official Presidential events, visit historical sites, and even meet the Prime Minister of Armenia. But it’s his friendship with Vardan and the President that changes Arman’s outlook on life the most.
The President’s Sun has a lot of heart and is very funny at times. The acting is superb, with Ken Davitian (who is best known for his role as Borat’s producer in Borat) giving a standout performance as the President. He’s charming, witty, and genuinely cares for his country and its people. Anoush NeVart is equally great as Vardan, and the chemistry between her and Dan Hodapp is believable and heartwarming.
The movie is also visually stunning, showing the beauty of Armenia and its people. We see gorgeous shots of the countryside, historic sites, and the bustling city of Yerevan. The movie’s soundtrack is also noteworthy, blending Armenian and American music seamlessly.
One of the movie’s strengths is how it handles cultural differences. Arman, who is used to the freedoms of America, struggles at first with the traditional Armenian values that his grandfather (and to some extent, the President) hold dear. However, through his experiences, he comes to appreciate the unique aspects of Armenian culture and finds a way to bridge the gap between the two worlds.
The President’s Sun is a feel-good movie that will leave you smiling, and maybe even shedding a tear or two. It’s a movie about the transformative power of friendship, the importance of family, and finding your place in the world. Whether you’re Armenian or not, this movie is a must-see. It’s a love letter to Armenia and its people, and a reminder that no matter where we come from, we all have something to offer each other.