Would you like to inspect the original subtitles? These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated:
1
00:02:35,540 --> 00:02:37,810
Are you ready to continue, Mr
Petrosyan?
2
00:02:39,311 --> 00:02:40,612
Counselor Whitlow
3
00:02:44,315 --> 00:02:45,750
I'll repeat the question
4
00:02:46,117 --> 00:02:47,451
Mr Petrosyan,
5
00:02:48,353 --> 00:02:51,022
were you or your family
6
00:02:51,789 --> 00:02:56,560
ever victims of
direct acts of violence?
7
00:02:58,395 --> 00:02:59,831
Oh, no
8
00:02:59,963 --> 00:03:01,597
Ohanna, help
9
00:03:03,633 --> 00:03:04,868
Oh, no
10
00:03:05,701 --> 00:03:08,105
No
11
00:04:35,721 --> 00:04:37,422
Grigor, what happened?
12
00:04:37,955 --> 00:04:40,657
Someone decorated
my window with a brick
13
00:04:41,359 --> 00:04:42,393
Are you okay?
14
00:04:42,625 --> 00:04:43,861
Yes, I'm okay
15
00:04:44,729 --> 00:04:45,997
Did you see who did it?
16
00:04:46,464 --> 00:04:47,798
Local teens
17
00:04:49,566 --> 00:04:50,768
Did you call the police?
18
00:04:50,901 --> 00:04:52,903
Police don't
care what happen to us
19
00:04:58,674 --> 00:04:59,909
I'm sorry my friend
20
00:05:00,509 --> 00:05:01,745
It's okay
21
00:05:02,544 --> 00:05:03,645
No one was hurt
22
00:05:03,780 --> 00:05:05,315
That's all that matters
23
00:05:05,849 --> 00:05:07,317
Go home to your family
24
00:05:07,683 --> 00:05:10,119
Tell my wife
I'll be late for dinner,
25
00:05:10,518 --> 00:05:13,355
but please, don't tell her why
26
00:05:13,756 --> 00:05:14,790
No, no, no
27
00:05:15,157 --> 00:05:16,825
I will stay here until
we finish,
28
00:05:16,959 --> 00:05:19,161
and then will walk you home
29
00:05:19,395 --> 00:05:20,695
Okay
Thank you
30
00:05:22,630 --> 00:05:24,199
-Thank you
-Of course
31
00:05:26,801 --> 00:05:28,136
Okay, here
32
00:05:34,308 --> 00:05:35,609
Can we have dolma for dinner?
33
00:05:35,743 --> 00:05:37,111
It's your
sister's night to pick
34
00:05:37,245 --> 00:05:38,545
But she likes it too
35
00:05:38,678 --> 00:05:39,981
She can tell me herself
36
00:05:40,114 --> 00:05:42,016
-Bye
-Oh, Principal Petrosyan,
37
00:05:42,150 --> 00:05:44,317
please , this
record needs your signature
38
00:05:44,451 --> 00:05:47,020
-Can it wait until tomorrow?
-I'm afraid not
39
00:05:47,721 --> 00:05:50,490
Come on, Mom
Let's go home I'm hungry
40
00:05:50,623 --> 00:05:51,858
Thank you
41
00:05:54,227 --> 00:05:55,328
The cat--
42
00:05:57,431 --> 00:05:58,765
Sound this word out slowly
43
00:05:58,964 --> 00:06:01,033
What sound does
each letter make?
44
00:06:02,234 --> 00:06:04,136
Climbed
45
00:06:05,137 --> 00:06:07,073
-Climbed?
-That's right Good
46
00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:09,041
Mama
47
00:06:09,442 --> 00:06:10,342
Yes
48
00:06:10,476 --> 00:06:11,911
Hello
49
00:06:12,044 --> 00:06:14,213
Her reading comprehension
is coming along day by day
50
00:06:14,346 --> 00:06:15,612
Oh, I'm so proud of you
51
00:06:15,814 --> 00:06:18,083
-I'll see you
tomorrow before school? -Yes
52
00:06:18,383 --> 00:06:19,317
Good work today
53
00:06:19,451 --> 00:06:20,552
Thank you for your help
54
00:06:20,684 --> 00:06:21,753
Oh, it's my pleasure
55
00:06:22,686 --> 00:06:25,790
-I know you studied, correct?
-Yes, I did a lot, actually
56
00:06:25,924 --> 00:06:27,192
-How'd you feel about that?
-Good
57
00:06:27,325 --> 00:06:28,692
Let's go get dolma
58
00:06:28,827 --> 00:06:30,028
Yay
Dolma
59
00:06:30,161 --> 00:06:32,129
-See?
-Did you tell her to say that?
60
00:06:32,695 --> 00:06:33,931
Of course not
61
00:06:34,364 --> 00:06:35,332
I miss dolma too
62
00:06:41,972 --> 00:06:44,842
Mom, why does
their signs say that?
63
00:06:45,442 --> 00:06:47,044
What does the signs say?
64
00:06:48,478 --> 00:06:51,814
-They say--
-Julia, we're leaving now
65
00:07:01,958 --> 00:07:04,926
Mr and Mrs Sarkisian,
what's with all the luggage?
66
00:07:05,093 --> 00:07:06,761
We're leaving for Moscow
67
00:07:06,895 --> 00:07:08,530
I didn't know you
had family in Moscow
68
00:07:08,662 --> 00:07:11,900
We don't, but it's
safer there for all Armenians
69
00:07:12,033 --> 00:07:13,935
Every few years or so,
70
00:07:14,069 --> 00:07:18,240
Azerbaijanis and Armenians have
a flare-up and things come right
back down
71
00:07:18,740 --> 00:07:21,275
This time, it feels different
72
00:07:22,042 --> 00:07:24,211
Russia will not
allow anything to happen
73
00:07:24,345 --> 00:07:25,379
Open your eyes
74
00:07:25,713 --> 00:07:27,348
The Soviet Union is crumbling
75
00:07:27,982 --> 00:07:32,319
Russia has no
resources left to protect us
76
00:07:32,920 --> 00:07:35,823
We can't just leave
This is our home
77
00:07:36,623 --> 00:07:37,857
Is it?
78
00:07:42,228 --> 00:07:44,663
Who wants to help
prep the grape leaves?
79
00:07:44,797 --> 00:07:46,698
-Me
-Yes, and the minced meat?
80
00:07:46,866 --> 00:07:48,401
No, it's not me
81
00:07:54,339 --> 00:07:57,476
Why did the people in the
streets have those signs today?
82
00:07:57,809 --> 00:07:59,211
Don't you worry about that
83
00:07:59,344 --> 00:08:00,479
What signs?
84
00:08:00,812 --> 00:08:03,782
There were people in the streets
with signs that scared Mama
85
00:08:03,982 --> 00:08:05,317
Mama wasn't scared
86
00:08:05,918 --> 00:08:09,720
Sometimes people say and write
things they don't really mean
87
00:08:09,854 --> 00:08:11,289
It's about war, isn't it?
88
00:08:11,622 --> 00:08:13,090
-What war?
-It's not a war
89
00:08:13,224 --> 00:08:15,493
Yes, it is They
talked about it in class today
90
00:08:15,626 --> 00:08:17,261
Julia, watch your tone
91
00:08:17,728 --> 00:08:21,299
There is a small conflict going
on in the mountains right now
92
00:08:21,899 --> 00:08:23,467
What are they fighting about?
93
00:08:23,801 --> 00:08:25,535
A piece of land
94
00:08:25,669 --> 00:08:29,239
that both Armenians and
Azerbaijanis each claim as
their own,
95
00:08:29,372 --> 00:08:33,276
but this has been going on for
many, many years, off and on
96
00:08:33,410 --> 00:08:34,411
It's nothing new
97
00:08:35,078 --> 00:08:37,647
Aren't you
Armenians and Azerbaijanis?
98
00:08:37,781 --> 00:08:39,583
Yes, that's right, sweetheart
99
00:08:39,849 --> 00:08:42,084
Then whose side are we on?
100
00:08:42,685 --> 00:08:44,153
We're on no one's side
101
00:08:44,820 --> 00:08:49,558
We are Armenians in our blood,
but Azerbaijan is our home
102
00:08:49,925 --> 00:08:51,660
We have Armenians in our blood?
103
00:08:51,860 --> 00:08:54,096
--No, what Mama meant
104
00:08:54,230 --> 00:08:58,399
is that our families came from
Armenia many, many years ago
105
00:08:58,533 --> 00:09:00,068
before Mama and I were born
106
00:09:00,635 --> 00:09:01,669
Oh
107
00:09:02,103 --> 00:09:03,706
That's enough questions for now
108
00:09:03,838 --> 00:09:05,073
Time for baths
109
00:09:06,307 --> 00:09:07,208
No stalling
110
00:09:07,342 --> 00:09:08,376
Let's go
111
00:09:09,811 --> 00:09:10,979
Okay
Good night
112
00:09:11,179 --> 00:09:12,313
-Bye
-Good night
113
00:09:14,381 --> 00:09:17,884
-Are you going to tuck us in?
-Of course I'll be right there
114
00:09:31,732 --> 00:09:34,433
Are you going to tell
me what those signs said?
115
00:09:36,703 --> 00:09:38,104
"Death to Armenians"
116
00:09:40,439 --> 00:09:41,474
Really?
117
00:09:41,807 --> 00:09:42,842
I know,
118
00:09:43,242 --> 00:09:44,910
but we've seen this before,
119
00:09:45,044 --> 00:09:47,178
We can't just run and hide
120
00:09:47,312 --> 00:09:50,015
every time there's a
flare-up in the mountains
121
00:09:53,985 --> 00:09:56,254
Someone vandalized
Grigor's store today
122
00:09:56,588 --> 00:09:57,822
My goodness
123
00:09:58,923 --> 00:10:00,158
Was he hurt?
124
00:10:00,825 --> 00:10:02,060
No
125
00:10:02,360 --> 00:10:03,394
Fortunately
126
00:10:06,363 --> 00:10:08,165
Russia said
they would send troops
127
00:10:08,299 --> 00:10:11,869
to protect Armenian
neighborhoods if tensions
worsen
128
00:10:12,269 --> 00:10:15,272
Do you really think
Russia is going to come save us?
129
00:10:17,641 --> 00:10:18,876
I believe in Russia
130
00:10:20,443 --> 00:10:24,347
I believe in the
solidarity of the Soviet Union
131
00:10:24,981 --> 00:10:26,649
and I believe in
the Communist Party
132
00:10:26,784 --> 00:10:29,919
We are brothers and sisters We
do not fight amongst ourselves
133
00:10:39,461 --> 00:10:40,495
Except when we do
134
00:10:42,831 --> 00:10:44,866
What do you believe in, Ivan?
135
00:10:47,002 --> 00:10:48,937
I believe in music
136
00:10:49,838 --> 00:10:51,073
Seriously?
137
00:10:51,740 --> 00:10:52,774
Seriously
138
00:10:56,377 --> 00:11:02,283
I believe in you and the girls,
139
00:11:09,222 --> 00:11:10,857
and I believe in love
140
00:11:31,778 --> 00:11:33,178
Baby, have a good session, okay?
141
00:11:33,312 --> 00:11:34,580
-Mrs Petrosyan
-Hmm?
142
00:11:35,347 --> 00:11:37,182
We cannot take Olga today
143
00:11:38,617 --> 00:11:39,651
Why?
144
00:11:41,085 --> 00:11:42,120
I'm sorry
145
00:11:42,553 --> 00:11:45,423
What do you mean
you can't take her?
146
00:11:45,556 --> 00:11:47,558
Some men
came by yesterday evening
147
00:11:47,693 --> 00:11:50,495
asking for the names of
all the Armenian children
148
00:11:51,028 --> 00:11:52,798
What?
149
00:11:52,930 --> 00:11:56,401
I'm sorry, but if Olga stays
here, we cannot guarantee
her safety
150
00:11:56,967 --> 00:11:58,201
You're joking
151
00:11:59,771 --> 00:12:01,004
I wish I was
152
00:12:01,972 --> 00:12:03,073
They're just children
153
00:12:03,273 --> 00:12:04,842
Mrs-- you
have to go
154
00:12:05,142 --> 00:12:07,277
We can't have any
of you here anymore
155
00:12:15,719 --> 00:12:16,686
Come on
156
00:12:28,397 --> 00:12:30,565
Mom, you're hurting my hand
157
00:12:30,766 --> 00:12:31,801
Sorry, baby
158
00:12:32,167 --> 00:12:33,168
Where are we going?
159
00:12:33,568 --> 00:12:35,670
You're going to
spend the day with Mama
160
00:12:35,805 --> 00:12:37,038
Yay
161
00:12:39,274 --> 00:12:40,776
Have a good day, okay?
162
00:12:41,309 --> 00:12:42,544
-Bye
-Bye
163
00:12:45,313 --> 00:12:47,281
You should go to my office
164
00:12:47,715 --> 00:12:50,184
Those attendance records
that I signed last night,
165
00:12:50,317 --> 00:12:51,552
can I see them?
166
00:12:52,286 --> 00:12:54,354
Someone came by
and picked them up
167
00:12:55,122 --> 00:12:56,356
Who?
168
00:12:56,623 --> 00:12:57,658
I can't say
169
00:12:58,693 --> 00:13:00,027
You can't or you won't?
170
00:13:00,961 --> 00:13:03,062
I wasn't here I saw nothing
171
00:13:15,041 --> 00:13:17,945
Why don't you draw a
nice picture for Mommy, okay?
172
00:13:18,210 --> 00:13:19,511
-Okay
-There we go
173
00:13:28,253 --> 00:13:29,287
Baku Research Center
174
00:13:29,421 --> 00:13:31,256
Hi, this is Violetta Petrosyan
175
00:13:31,389 --> 00:13:33,391
Has my husband Ivan arrived yet?
176
00:13:33,625 --> 00:13:34,658
One moment
177
00:13:35,894 --> 00:13:37,261
-Violetta
-Ivan
178
00:13:37,696 --> 00:13:38,730
What's wrong?
179
00:13:40,264 --> 00:13:42,199
Would it be
possible for the girls and I
180
00:13:42,333 --> 00:13:46,537
to come and meet you at your
office and then go to Papa's
house together?
181
00:13:47,104 --> 00:13:48,405
Are you all right?
182
00:13:49,573 --> 00:13:51,407
I'm fine, yes, we're all fine
183
00:13:52,008 --> 00:13:53,610
Your tone tells me otherwise
184
00:13:54,945 --> 00:13:58,214
We'll meet you this afternoon,
right after school, okay?
185
00:13:58,682 --> 00:14:00,049
-Okay
-Bye now
186
00:14:04,454 --> 00:14:07,690
♪ Happy birthday to you, ♪
187
00:14:08,223 --> 00:14:11,393
♪ Happy birthday to you, ♪
188
00:14:11,694 --> 00:14:15,698
♪ Happy birthday, dear, Yuri, ♪
189
00:14:16,532 --> 00:14:20,003
-♪ Happy birthday to you ♪
-♪ -to me ♪
190
00:14:25,941 --> 00:14:31,546
My father used to always
tell me on days like today,
191
00:14:31,880 --> 00:14:33,047
"We live in exile,
192
00:14:33,849 --> 00:14:38,020
and it's your duty to
remember where you're from
193
00:14:38,419 --> 00:14:40,186
and to your children
194
00:14:40,453 --> 00:14:44,558
who've never seen
the snow on Mount Ararat
195
00:14:45,726 --> 00:14:46,761
Remind them"
196
00:14:50,196 --> 00:14:51,398
I'm Armenian
197
00:14:51,565 --> 00:14:55,235
in my heart, my soul, my blood,
198
00:14:57,037 --> 00:14:58,738
and I'm proud of it
199
00:15:01,307 --> 00:15:04,678
I've never seen
the snow on Mount Ararat,
200
00:15:06,478 --> 00:15:08,715
but what have I seen?
201
00:15:10,917 --> 00:15:11,951
The morning sun
202
00:15:12,517 --> 00:15:14,853
shimmering off the Caspian Sea,
203
00:15:16,120 --> 00:15:17,990
spring afternoons,
204
00:15:18,256 --> 00:15:19,457
,
205
00:15:21,392 --> 00:15:24,429
and the old city,
206
00:15:25,998 --> 00:15:27,565
This is my city too
207
00:15:27,967 --> 00:15:33,337
These Azerbaijani nationalists
think it's only for them
208
00:15:34,839 --> 00:15:40,210
I've sold tea and newspapers,
and Prima cigarettes to them
209
00:15:41,045 --> 00:15:43,748
for 50 years
210
00:15:46,349 --> 00:15:51,855
The city is the
only home I've ever known
211
00:15:56,994 --> 00:15:58,227
To Baku
212
00:15:59,096 --> 00:16:00,030
To Baku
213
00:16:00,162 --> 00:16:01,097
To Baku
214
00:16:06,267 --> 00:16:09,571
♪ Sitting in an open window, ♪
215
00:16:10,171 --> 00:16:14,242
♪ And a songbird landed near, ♪
216
00:16:15,143 --> 00:16:17,746
♪ It was sweetly singing, ♪
217
00:16:17,879 --> 00:16:24,184
♪ Country,
country home forever be ♪
218
00:16:25,285 --> 00:16:29,858
♪ Country,
country, home forever, ♪
219
00:16:30,058 --> 00:16:30,992
♪ With the sky-- ♪
220
00:16:31,126 --> 00:16:32,426
You're okay, Mama?
221
00:16:35,294 --> 00:16:36,797
Your father and I are thinking
222
00:16:36,930 --> 00:16:40,166
of going to my cousin Yana's
place in Volgograd, Russia
223
00:16:40,901 --> 00:16:43,737
just until the things
settle down around here
224
00:16:44,570 --> 00:16:46,840
That's why he was
extra moody tonight
225
00:16:47,908 --> 00:16:49,242
The invitation is open
226
00:16:51,243 --> 00:16:52,679
Even if we wanted to,
227
00:16:52,812 --> 00:16:55,213
there's not enough space
at Yana's place for all of us
228
00:16:55,580 --> 00:16:58,450
I know She knows of
an empty apartment nearby
229
00:16:59,451 --> 00:17:00,920
Mama, we're not leaving
230
00:17:01,553 --> 00:17:04,724
It's getting more
dangerous out there by the day
231
00:17:06,290 --> 00:17:08,292
You and Ivan need
to think of the girls
232
00:17:09,094 --> 00:17:11,963
I love my job, Ivan
loves his, and Baku is our home
233
00:17:12,097 --> 00:17:15,266
We can just quit our jobs
and leave everything behind
234
00:17:17,401 --> 00:17:19,470
It's just temporary
235
00:17:24,842 --> 00:17:28,112
Yana's phone number in
Volgograd,
should you change your mind
236
00:17:29,212 --> 00:17:32,315
You worry yourself sick
over everything all the time
237
00:17:32,649 --> 00:17:34,785
The world is
changing all around you,
238
00:17:35,318 --> 00:17:36,486
yet you fail to see it
239
00:17:37,320 --> 00:17:40,522
We won't need this,
and you don't need to go to
Russia either
240
00:17:40,656 --> 00:17:44,660
No government, no
political party, and no friends
241
00:17:44,861 --> 00:17:48,464
are ever going to look
out for you like your family
242
00:17:48,665 --> 00:17:49,699
Take it
243
00:17:52,769 --> 00:17:53,803
Mama
244
00:17:56,805 --> 00:18:00,541
Why don't you and Ivan head
back before it gets too late?
245
00:18:17,825 --> 00:18:20,327
Just get them to bed
Get them straight to bed
246
00:18:20,460 --> 00:18:21,361
Okay
247
00:18:21,495 --> 00:18:22,730
That's a good idea
248
00:18:28,567 --> 00:18:30,402
-Papa?
-Yes?
249
00:18:30,536 --> 00:18:32,205
What's that sound?
250
00:18:32,338 --> 00:18:33,874
I'm not sure, my angel
251
00:18:35,208 --> 00:18:36,509
I will find out, okay?
252
00:18:38,779 --> 00:18:39,813
No
253
00:18:40,046 --> 00:18:41,081
Help
254
00:18:41,280 --> 00:18:42,182
Ohanna?
255
00:18:42,314 --> 00:18:43,515
Ohanna?
256
00:18:43,816 --> 00:18:44,850
Help
257
00:18:45,084 --> 00:18:46,317
Oh, no
258
00:18:46,484 --> 00:18:48,220
Ohanna, help
259
00:18:48,486 --> 00:18:50,890
Help
Ohanna, help
260
00:18:52,758 --> 00:18:54,026
-What is going on?
-Oh, help
261
00:18:54,160 --> 00:18:55,194
-I don't know
-Help
262
00:18:55,326 --> 00:18:56,796
-No, no
-Shh, and keep quiet
263
00:18:56,929 --> 00:18:58,596
- Nobody make a sound
- Help
264
00:18:58,731 --> 00:18:59,764
Help
265
00:19:04,235 --> 00:19:05,270
No
266
00:19:05,435 --> 00:19:06,805
Help
267
00:19:06,938 --> 00:19:08,973
No, no, stay
away from the windows
268
00:19:09,140 --> 00:19:10,675
Stay away from the windows
269
00:19:10,809 --> 00:19:12,442
-Why?
-Do as I say
270
00:19:13,711 --> 00:19:15,445
-Shh, shh, shh, shh
-No
271
00:19:15,646 --> 00:19:17,346
Oh, help
272
00:19:17,480 --> 00:19:19,649
It's Grigor the noise
273
00:19:21,450 --> 00:19:22,853
--No
274
00:19:23,319 --> 00:19:24,554
No
275
00:19:27,390 --> 00:19:29,592
No Please Please No
276
00:19:36,032 --> 00:19:37,066
What do we do?
277
00:19:39,634 --> 00:19:40,870
Shh, shh, shh, shh
278
00:19:41,003 --> 00:19:42,872
No, no, no,
please listen, listen,
279
00:19:43,139 --> 00:19:45,842
no matter what happens,
no matter what you hear,
280
00:19:46,374 --> 00:19:48,442
nobody makes a sound All right
281
00:19:48,609 --> 00:19:49,911
Do you understand?
282
00:19:50,611 --> 00:19:51,713
Do you understand?
283
00:19:51,880 --> 00:19:53,347
Shh, shh, shh
284
00:19:53,480 --> 00:19:54,381
Open up
285
00:19:59,254 --> 00:20:00,889
Ivan and Violet Petrosyan,
286
00:20:01,522 --> 00:20:03,058
open the door
287
00:20:03,959 --> 00:20:05,759
You're looking
for the Petrosyans?
288
00:20:05,893 --> 00:20:07,761
They left for Moscow last week
289
00:20:08,262 --> 00:20:10,731
When they return, so will we
290
00:20:15,602 --> 00:20:18,839
We have to leave here now
291
00:20:28,580 --> 00:20:32,151
-Did you put my monkey in the
bags? -No, just your clothes
292
00:20:32,484 --> 00:20:34,187
-Did you, Papa?
-No, my angel, I forgot
293
00:20:34,320 --> 00:20:35,554
We have to go back and get it
294
00:20:35,688 --> 00:20:36,856
Shh
295
00:20:36,990 --> 00:20:40,359
Get down Get down
296
00:20:40,659 --> 00:20:42,060
It's not safe to go back now,
297
00:20:42,227 --> 00:20:44,696
but I promise,
when we get back from our trip,
298
00:20:44,963 --> 00:20:46,732
your monkey will be there, okay?
299
00:20:46,899 --> 00:20:48,667
I want him to go
on a trip with us
300
00:20:48,800 --> 00:20:52,037
I know, my angel, but I
promise you'll see him again
301
00:21:04,315 --> 00:21:05,716
We have to move quickly
302
00:21:07,318 --> 00:21:08,319
Let's go
303
00:21:14,623 --> 00:21:16,625
I assume you've been
briefed by your lawyer
304
00:21:16,760 --> 00:21:19,329
about the process
that will take place today
305
00:21:19,461 --> 00:21:21,731
This is not a criminal trial
306
00:21:21,998 --> 00:21:24,301
However, you did
break United States law
307
00:21:24,433 --> 00:21:27,970
by willfully choosing to skip
your return flight back
to Moscow
308
00:21:28,103 --> 00:21:31,506
-and overstay your tourist visa
-We did not mean to
break the law
309
00:21:31,639 --> 00:21:32,975
We applied for asylum
310
00:21:33,108 --> 00:21:36,011
You will not
interrupt when I'm speaking
311
00:21:36,145 --> 00:21:37,246
Do you understand?
312
00:21:37,379 --> 00:21:39,514
We apologize for speaking
out of turn, Your Honor
313
00:21:39,647 --> 00:21:40,683
I'm sorry
314
00:21:46,688 --> 00:21:48,022
I'm sorry
What is this?
315
00:21:48,156 --> 00:21:50,725
These are our
congregation in West Virginia
316
00:21:50,858 --> 00:21:52,860
They came to
support, as I told you
317
00:21:52,994 --> 00:21:54,896
- Please
- Did you mention this?
318
00:21:55,029 --> 00:21:58,399
All right Will someone
please tell me what's going on?
319
00:21:58,531 --> 00:21:59,766
Okay
320
00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:02,836
Your Honor, these are friends,
321
00:22:03,103 --> 00:22:06,173
supporters, character witnesses
from the Petrosyan's church
322
00:22:06,306 --> 00:22:07,274
Petrosyan
323
00:22:07,407 --> 00:22:09,276
Sure
Yes Petrosyan
324
00:22:09,776 --> 00:22:13,013
These witnesses drove in
from West Virginia this morning
325
00:22:14,613 --> 00:22:15,848
Counselor Owens,
326
00:22:17,515 --> 00:22:19,051
the defense failed
327
00:22:19,185 --> 00:22:21,253
to submit any witness lists
ahead of this case this morning
328
00:22:21,387 --> 00:22:23,889
Therefore, the court
cannot and will not hear
329
00:22:24,023 --> 00:22:26,325
any testimonies from
any character witnesses
330
00:22:26,459 --> 00:22:28,227
for this case
331
00:22:28,361 --> 00:22:30,396
I must say that two
interruptions in one morning are
more than enough
332
00:22:30,528 --> 00:22:32,764
If anyone else would like
to disrupt this court today,
333
00:22:32,897 --> 00:22:35,200
I will gladly
hold them in contempt
334
00:22:36,500 --> 00:22:37,634
Understood, Your Honor
335
00:22:37,969 --> 00:22:39,404
Today's hearing will decide
336
00:22:39,536 --> 00:22:40,839
whether or
not the court believes
337
00:22:40,972 --> 00:22:42,841
there is justification
to grant you asylum
338
00:22:42,974 --> 00:22:45,310
Now, if you cannot prove to
this court that you qualify
for asylum,
339
00:22:45,443 --> 00:22:48,445
then you will be deported
back to Russia immediately
340
00:22:48,746 --> 00:22:50,914
Do we understand
what's at stake today?
341
00:22:52,149 --> 00:22:54,051
My clients
understand, Your Honor
342
00:22:54,184 --> 00:22:55,219
Let's begin
343
00:22:55,686 --> 00:22:57,620
I give the floor
to Counselor Whitlow
344
00:22:57,921 --> 00:22:59,490
Thank you, Your Honor
345
00:23:00,324 --> 00:23:03,760
I would like to call Violetta
Petrosyan to the stand first
346
00:23:04,127 --> 00:23:05,627
Please raise your right hand
347
00:23:05,762 --> 00:23:07,529
Do you solemnly swear
348
00:23:07,663 --> 00:23:08,865
to tell the truth, the whole
truth, and nothing but
the truth,
349
00:23:08,998 --> 00:23:10,532
-so help you God?
-I do
350
00:23:11,401 --> 00:23:12,869
You may sit, Ms Petrosyan
351
00:23:16,571 --> 00:23:17,639
Good morning
352
00:23:17,974 --> 00:23:20,075
According to
documents received by the court,
353
00:23:20,208 --> 00:23:24,578
you and your family fled
Azerbaijan due to targeted
ethnic violence
354
00:23:24,713 --> 00:23:27,749
during the 1988
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
355
00:23:28,016 --> 00:23:29,617
First, you went to Armenia
356
00:23:29,751 --> 00:23:33,989
and then shortly after that,
you landed in Volgograd, Russia
357
00:23:34,122 --> 00:23:37,058
where you were permitted
to live with refugee status
358
00:23:37,525 --> 00:23:38,759
That is correct
359
00:23:39,693 --> 00:23:42,396
Ivan's cousin
invited us to Armenia,
360
00:23:42,830 --> 00:23:44,665
but when we got there,
361
00:23:44,799 --> 00:23:47,600
we were treated as foreigners
because we were born in
Azerbaijan
362
00:23:47,735 --> 00:23:48,969
We do not speak Armenian
363
00:23:49,602 --> 00:23:52,972
We could not find any work,
so it became impossible to stay
364
00:23:53,339 --> 00:23:56,109
Russia became
your home after that?
365
00:23:56,242 --> 00:23:57,444
I wouldn't call it home
366
00:23:57,710 --> 00:23:59,578
You were
given residency in Russia,
367
00:23:59,712 --> 00:24:01,314
-correct?
-Yes
368
00:24:01,448 --> 00:24:03,550
Free to stay as long as you
like for the rest of your life?
369
00:24:03,683 --> 00:24:04,918
Yes
370
00:24:06,553 --> 00:24:12,324
Why would you and Mr Petrosyan
decide to leave a country
371
00:24:12,458 --> 00:24:14,126
that welcomed you with open arms
372
00:24:14,259 --> 00:24:17,529
only to apply for
asylum in a brand new country
373
00:24:17,663 --> 00:24:20,332
hoping this one would
also welcome you with open arms?
374
00:24:20,466 --> 00:24:23,102
We weren't exactly welcomed
with open arms in Russia
375
00:24:23,235 --> 00:24:25,336
Is this a pattern
for you and your husband?
376
00:24:25,470 --> 00:24:28,673
Do you like to take
vacations to other countries
377
00:24:28,806 --> 00:24:30,408
and then stay when you see
378
00:24:30,541 --> 00:24:33,344
it's just a little bit better
than the one that came before?
379
00:24:33,478 --> 00:24:35,113
Of course not That is a lie
380
00:24:35,313 --> 00:24:36,347
What's next?
381
00:24:36,581 --> 00:24:37,748
Cayman Islands?
382
00:24:37,915 --> 00:24:39,517
-Objection, your honor
-Sustained
383
00:24:39,650 --> 00:24:42,519
Counsel needs to tighten
up her line of questioning
384
00:24:43,220 --> 00:24:45,188
We may have been
allowed to stay in Russia,
385
00:24:45,322 --> 00:24:48,358
but we'll never
have a real life there
386
00:24:48,592 --> 00:24:50,327
Can you elaborate for the court?
387
00:25:03,939 --> 00:25:06,208
I don't like this neighborhood
388
00:25:06,408 --> 00:25:07,843
We won't be here forever
389
00:25:09,478 --> 00:25:10,946
Ivan, how much further?
390
00:25:11,680 --> 00:25:12,915
We're almost there
391
00:25:16,751 --> 00:25:18,553
How did you find this place?
392
00:25:18,686 --> 00:25:21,623
Your grandmother told us about
it She knows someone who
lives here
393
00:25:21,756 --> 00:25:23,791
Why can't we live with Grandma?
394
00:25:24,058 --> 00:25:26,794
Because they don't
have the space for all of us
395
00:25:28,163 --> 00:25:30,664
This building looks scary
396
00:25:31,365 --> 00:25:32,399
It's not scary
397
00:25:33,800 --> 00:25:35,435
We have nothing for you
Go away
398
00:25:35,569 --> 00:25:36,670
Yana sent us
399
00:25:37,070 --> 00:25:39,473
Yana? She said you'll
be here in the morning
400
00:25:39,673 --> 00:25:41,308
Our bus was late, I'm sorry
401
00:25:41,441 --> 00:25:43,577
Well, come in quickly
402
00:25:43,944 --> 00:25:46,412
Come on, come on,
you're letting the cold air in
403
00:26:25,684 --> 00:26:26,784
Where's the bathroom?
404
00:26:27,251 --> 00:26:29,220
Common, all
toilets down the hall
405
00:26:29,987 --> 00:26:32,022
Papa, where are the beds?
406
00:26:32,823 --> 00:26:33,857
You'll get beds
407
00:26:34,325 --> 00:26:36,125
We can't fit two beds in here
408
00:26:36,726 --> 00:26:37,961
We'll figure it out
409
00:26:41,497 --> 00:26:42,498
Is there no heat?
410
00:26:43,766 --> 00:26:46,836
Yana's brother will come
by tomorrow then work on it
411
00:26:46,970 --> 00:26:48,805
You have blankets right there
412
00:26:53,141 --> 00:26:55,177
How long we have to stay here?
413
00:26:55,310 --> 00:26:57,613
We don't know, darling,
but we're safe right now
414
00:26:57,746 --> 00:26:59,047
That's what's important
415
00:26:59,181 --> 00:27:00,916
I don't like this place
416
00:27:01,049 --> 00:27:02,317
I want to go home
417
00:27:03,385 --> 00:27:05,087
I miss my monkey
418
00:27:07,422 --> 00:27:08,456
Come here
419
00:27:09,957 --> 00:27:11,092
I know
420
00:27:11,359 --> 00:27:13,394
this place doesn't
look like much right now,
421
00:27:14,028 --> 00:27:21,002
so we're going to make it cozy
and beautiful just like our
home, okay?
422
00:27:21,402 --> 00:27:23,437
We're going to
make it much better
423
00:27:23,704 --> 00:27:25,805
Where are we going to sleep?
424
00:27:35,683 --> 00:27:42,454
I'm going to make you a bed so
we don't get our clothes dirty
425
00:27:44,490 --> 00:27:45,457
I'm hungry
426
00:27:45,591 --> 00:27:47,893
It's okay, baby,
I brought some things
427
00:27:50,630 --> 00:27:51,864
Okay, come on
428
00:27:59,738 --> 00:28:02,473
♪ Sleep, daughter, sleep, ♪
429
00:28:02,940 --> 00:28:05,877
♪ The moon above is shining ♪
430
00:28:06,344 --> 00:28:09,280
♪ The Earth below is turning, ♪
431
00:28:09,715 --> 00:28:12,849
♪ Just as my love ♪
432
00:28:12,983 --> 00:28:16,386
♪ Sleep daughter, sleep ♪
433
00:28:50,852 --> 00:28:52,120
You are Yana's brother?
434
00:28:52,253 --> 00:28:53,254
Yes
435
00:28:55,924 --> 00:28:57,592
-Hello
-Hello
436
00:28:57,760 --> 00:28:59,427
-I'm Ivan
-Sasha
437
00:29:00,228 --> 00:29:01,528
Feels like Siberia in here
438
00:29:01,663 --> 00:29:03,832
We didn't realize
there would be no heat
439
00:29:03,964 --> 00:29:05,499
And no furniture
440
00:29:06,567 --> 00:29:08,770
The main thing
right now is the heat
441
00:29:08,902 --> 00:29:10,137
Yes, the heat
442
00:29:10,270 --> 00:29:11,372
It's always the heat
443
00:29:12,039 --> 00:29:16,076
Should be fixed, the leak, and
get connected to the waterline
444
00:29:16,276 --> 00:29:21,214
I would've tried to fix it
myself, but I had to leave my
tools behind
445
00:29:21,347 --> 00:29:24,183
No problem My
tools, my job, my pleasure
446
00:29:24,752 --> 00:29:25,985
Thank you
447
00:29:30,189 --> 00:29:35,527
You wouldn't happen to know
anyone around here who might
be hiring?
448
00:29:35,961 --> 00:29:37,929
What kind of work do you do?
449
00:29:38,897 --> 00:29:40,098
I'm a rocket scientist
450
00:29:40,232 --> 00:29:42,668
Oh, you're a comedian
451
00:29:44,202 --> 00:29:46,338
No really, what
kind of work do you do?
452
00:29:46,639 --> 00:29:47,874
I'm a rocket scientist
453
00:29:48,641 --> 00:29:51,108
I specialize in
spacecraft propulsion
454
00:29:52,977 --> 00:29:54,813
Serious?
455
00:29:54,945 --> 00:29:57,982
I've worked at the space
program, the Soviet Research
Institute in Baku
456
00:29:58,850 --> 00:30:00,284
My friend,
457
00:30:00,418 --> 00:30:03,387
I'm afraid you won't find
anything like that in Volgograd
458
00:30:03,921 --> 00:30:07,390
I will do anything to
take care of my family
459
00:30:08,258 --> 00:30:09,827
All right I
will ask around
460
00:30:10,126 --> 00:30:11,461
Okay
Thank you
461
00:30:12,262 --> 00:30:13,798
You're welcome
462
00:30:14,230 --> 00:30:18,769
Oh, do you know if there is a
bakery or a market open at
this hour?
463
00:30:19,169 --> 00:30:21,571
Yes, it's just around
the corner to the left,
464
00:30:22,105 --> 00:30:24,039
and I am going to get my tools
465
00:30:24,406 --> 00:30:25,441
Okay
466
00:30:37,887 --> 00:30:39,187
If you need something to do,
467
00:30:39,320 --> 00:30:41,289
I need you to go to
the for this thing
468
00:30:41,422 --> 00:30:42,825
-if it's only four of them
-Okay, good
469
00:30:42,957 --> 00:30:44,192
Yes?
Thank you
470
00:30:46,561 --> 00:30:49,564
Is this
Violetta and Ivan's place?
471
00:30:49,698 --> 00:30:50,732
Who's asking?
472
00:30:51,199 --> 00:30:53,702
I'm a friend of your
mother-in-law, Annette
473
00:30:56,871 --> 00:30:57,839
Hello
474
00:30:57,971 --> 00:30:59,005
I'm Ivan
475
00:30:59,139 --> 00:31:00,741
--Vova
476
00:31:00,875 --> 00:31:04,544
Annette said you might be short
on some items for the apartment
477
00:31:07,414 --> 00:31:08,982
Where should I put this?
478
00:31:10,016 --> 00:31:11,517
Over there, I guess
479
00:31:11,818 --> 00:31:13,052
Okay
480
00:31:14,053 --> 00:31:15,488
I'll leave it right here
481
00:31:15,655 --> 00:31:16,923
You are American?
482
00:31:17,356 --> 00:31:19,992
My New York accent gave it away
483
00:31:20,125 --> 00:31:22,094
I'm Duane
Nice to meet you
484
00:31:23,395 --> 00:31:26,065
I heard all about your
family from your mother
485
00:31:27,666 --> 00:31:29,000
We have some more boxes
486
00:31:29,133 --> 00:31:30,068
That's right
487
00:31:30,201 --> 00:31:31,436
We'll be back
488
00:31:32,570 --> 00:31:33,605
The rest of the--
489
00:31:34,740 --> 00:31:35,774
Do you know them?
490
00:31:42,313 --> 00:31:43,515
-Hey
-Hello
491
00:31:43,649 --> 00:31:44,749
Oh
492
00:31:44,883 --> 00:31:46,651
Grandma and Grandpa
493
00:31:46,818 --> 00:31:49,052
I thought we'd
never see you again
494
00:31:49,821 --> 00:31:52,924
- Oh, woah -
Look at you, my love
495
00:31:53,290 --> 00:31:55,559
We'll help you set
up in this apartment
496
00:31:55,693 --> 00:31:57,896
-Don't worry
-Girls, come with me,
497
00:31:58,028 --> 00:31:59,697
we have more things outside
498
00:32:01,097 --> 00:32:02,131
Here's something--
499
00:32:02,431 --> 00:32:03,667
All right
Here we go
500
00:32:03,800 --> 00:32:05,702
-Another box for you
-Thank you
501
00:32:06,703 --> 00:32:10,072
These are my
friends from church
502
00:32:10,841 --> 00:32:12,475
Mommy, you go to a church?
503
00:32:13,476 --> 00:32:16,345
We met them
shortly after we arrive
504
00:32:16,746 --> 00:32:20,650
They have been helping
many of Armenian refugees
505
00:32:21,416 --> 00:32:24,987
Duane's been visiting and
volunteering for a while now
506
00:32:25,487 --> 00:32:29,090
Why would you leave your home
and come all the way to
Volgograd, Russia?
507
00:32:29,224 --> 00:32:32,527
Our church back in the States
actually helped stock
Vova's church,
508
00:32:32,662 --> 00:32:34,395
and I wanted to
make regular trips
509
00:32:34,528 --> 00:32:35,630
To do what exactly?
510
00:32:35,931 --> 00:32:37,732
Anything that I
could do to be useful
511
00:32:37,866 --> 00:32:39,701
We heard about
your furniture situation,
512
00:32:39,834 --> 00:32:42,871
so a few of us from the church
will be stopping by later on
513
00:32:43,004 --> 00:32:44,271
to help with that as well
514
00:32:44,673 --> 00:32:46,675
What are you
expecting in return?
515
00:32:46,808 --> 00:32:50,376
-We don't have much to offer
-No, no, no,
we don't expect anything
516
00:32:51,477 --> 00:32:52,613
We don't want anything
517
00:32:52,947 --> 00:32:55,616
We're just really
happy to be able to help you
518
00:32:57,350 --> 00:32:58,786
I don't know what to say
519
00:33:00,688 --> 00:33:02,422
Contrary to
what you said earlier,
520
00:33:02,555 --> 00:33:05,692
you were welcomed
with open arms into Russia
521
00:33:05,825 --> 00:33:10,128
You had a new apartment,
new friends, relatives nearby,
522
00:33:10,262 --> 00:33:13,131
and it sounds like home
523
00:33:13,866 --> 00:33:17,202
We may have found some support
through friends and family,
524
00:33:17,336 --> 00:33:18,805
but we soon discovered
525
00:33:18,938 --> 00:33:21,539
that everything else
would be very difficult
526
00:33:21,807 --> 00:33:22,841
Everything else?
527
00:33:22,975 --> 00:33:25,043
The government may
have allowed us to stay,
528
00:33:25,176 --> 00:33:27,378
but the people of
Russia did not accept us
529
00:33:28,279 --> 00:33:32,985
I expected some level of racism
towards Armenians in Russia,
530
00:33:33,117 --> 00:33:37,788
but what we encountered
was something beyond that
531
00:33:38,355 --> 00:33:43,326
As far as looking for work, it
was very difficult for us both
532
00:33:44,095 --> 00:33:45,295
A bus driver?
533
00:33:46,262 --> 00:33:48,966
Maintenance
too, not just driving
534
00:33:49,399 --> 00:33:51,134
I want to ride a bus too
535
00:33:51,301 --> 00:33:52,302
Me too
536
00:33:52,435 --> 00:33:53,838
Well, it's not free
537
00:33:54,136 --> 00:33:55,371
You have to pay
538
00:33:56,572 --> 00:34:00,275
You work with calculations,
engineers, propulsion systems
539
00:34:00,409 --> 00:34:01,577
You don't drive buses
540
00:34:01,711 --> 00:34:02,712
Think of it
541
00:34:02,846 --> 00:34:05,514
as a different
kind of propulsion system
542
00:34:05,815 --> 00:34:08,685
propelling people through
the streets of Volgograd
543
00:34:11,086 --> 00:34:12,320
Okay
544
00:34:14,757 --> 00:34:15,791
How about you?
545
00:34:15,924 --> 00:34:17,358
Did you get the
interview at the school?
546
00:34:17,492 --> 00:34:19,260
-Tomorrow
-Good
547
00:34:19,394 --> 00:34:22,263
It's not administration
It's a teaching position
548
00:34:22,397 --> 00:34:23,632
Very low pay
549
00:34:24,499 --> 00:34:25,868
At least it's something
550
00:34:27,401 --> 00:34:28,636
It's something
551
00:34:32,073 --> 00:34:33,373
What are you drawing?
552
00:34:34,042 --> 00:34:35,009
Ooh
553
00:34:35,143 --> 00:34:36,309
Oh, I love it
554
00:34:36,443 --> 00:34:38,112
I'm sorry,
555
00:34:38,245 --> 00:34:40,815
could you run down to the store
and get us a few more potatoes?
556
00:34:41,149 --> 00:34:42,916
- Sure
- Thank you
557
00:34:43,249 --> 00:34:44,785
Do we need anything else?
558
00:34:44,918 --> 00:34:45,952
-No
-No
559
00:34:50,289 --> 00:34:51,490
Hey,
560
00:34:52,258 --> 00:34:53,894
everything's going to be okay
561
00:35:01,232 --> 00:35:02,400
Great
562
00:35:02,567 --> 00:35:04,235
How come she's
not doing a cartwheel?
563
00:35:25,389 --> 00:35:26,624
Hey
564
00:35:26,858 --> 00:35:27,926
You
Come on
565
00:35:31,261 --> 00:35:32,428
Me?
566
00:35:32,863 --> 00:35:35,766
What do you think you're
doing around this neighborhood?
567
00:35:36,466 --> 00:35:40,003
I live right here
568
00:35:41,237 --> 00:35:42,639
Show us your papers
569
00:35:43,107 --> 00:35:44,074
Papers?
570
00:35:44,208 --> 00:35:45,776
So you're deaf and dumb, huh?
571
00:35:46,977 --> 00:35:48,778
I don't have any papers
572
00:35:53,448 --> 00:35:55,218
You're not White
573
00:35:56,485 --> 00:35:57,920
You're not Black,
574
00:35:59,722 --> 00:36:01,590
and you're not so Brown either,
575
00:36:05,927 --> 00:36:06,962
so what are you?
576
00:36:10,999 --> 00:36:12,033
I'm Armenian
577
00:36:13,367 --> 00:36:14,803
from Azerbaijan
578
00:36:16,037 --> 00:36:18,006
I just moved
here with my family
579
00:36:18,807 --> 00:36:20,908
We given refugee status
580
00:36:23,409 --> 00:36:24,645
Armenian
581
00:36:27,715 --> 00:36:30,583
There's too many of
you stinking up our city
582
00:36:33,486 --> 00:36:34,789
It's just temporary
583
00:36:35,723 --> 00:36:37,724
until things
calm down back home
584
00:36:38,992 --> 00:36:40,260
Vadim,
585
00:36:40,960 --> 00:36:44,998
would you like to show what
happens to foreigners who don't
have their papers?
586
00:36:48,001 --> 00:36:49,568
Hey, hey, Dimitri
587
00:36:50,837 --> 00:36:51,838
Vova
588
00:36:52,272 --> 00:36:53,304
Stop
It's okay
589
00:36:53,471 --> 00:36:54,438
I know this man
590
00:36:54,572 --> 00:36:56,742
Vova, you know this scum?
591
00:36:57,508 --> 00:36:58,844
Ivan is a good man
592
00:36:59,077 --> 00:37:00,112
He has family
593
00:37:00,411 --> 00:37:01,914
Very, very, very good people
594
00:37:02,047 --> 00:37:03,682
Please let him go
595
00:37:05,017 --> 00:37:06,985
How can I take
you for your word?
596
00:37:09,253 --> 00:37:13,057
You are a hardworking officer,
certainly you deserve
something nice
597
00:37:15,259 --> 00:37:16,493
On me
598
00:37:17,028 --> 00:37:18,062
Please
599
00:37:19,730 --> 00:37:21,565
Educate
your Armenian friend here
600
00:37:21,699 --> 00:37:24,467
about the dangers of
not carrying his papers
601
00:37:24,602 --> 00:37:25,836
Yes, of course
602
00:37:33,977 --> 00:37:35,011
You're okay?
603
00:37:36,246 --> 00:37:37,580
Do you know those guys?
604
00:37:38,414 --> 00:37:40,917
Yes, my brother
with Dimitri
605
00:37:41,051 --> 00:37:42,084
The shorter one
606
00:37:42,885 --> 00:37:43,919
He's lovely
607
00:37:45,221 --> 00:37:48,691
Whenever you see him,
go the other direction
608
00:37:48,824 --> 00:37:53,494
-Noted -Please carry
your papers at all times
609
00:37:54,529 --> 00:37:56,799
He wouldn't be the
only one to harass you
610
00:37:57,633 --> 00:37:59,566
That goes for Violet too
611
00:38:00,235 --> 00:38:01,468
I will let her know
612
00:38:02,203 --> 00:38:03,437
Thank you
613
00:38:04,239 --> 00:38:05,740
-Bye
-Bye
614
00:38:07,275 --> 00:38:09,744
Come by the church
sometimes to say hello
615
00:38:10,345 --> 00:38:12,379
Your mother-in-law
has the address
616
00:38:14,715 --> 00:38:15,949
I'll think about it
617
00:38:16,683 --> 00:38:18,352
See you around, friend
618
00:38:18,484 --> 00:38:19,720
Take care
619
00:38:20,020 --> 00:38:21,054
Thank you, friend
620
00:38:31,330 --> 00:38:33,599
Mrs Petrosyan, in here
621
00:38:49,281 --> 00:38:50,882
I understand
622
00:38:51,016 --> 00:38:53,351
you've had trouble finding work
since you arrived in Russia
623
00:38:53,752 --> 00:38:56,154
It has been more
difficult than I expected
624
00:38:59,624 --> 00:39:03,861
That's because no one likes to
give a Russian job to a
foreigner
625
00:39:05,129 --> 00:39:06,230
unless we have to
626
00:39:07,064 --> 00:39:11,168
In this case, we are
understaffed, so we have to
627
00:39:12,870 --> 00:39:15,773
I would be very
grateful if you hired me
628
00:39:18,541 --> 00:39:20,475
You are a
Communist Party member?
629
00:39:21,144 --> 00:39:22,178
My whole life
630
00:39:25,782 --> 00:39:27,951
You'll start Monday, 7:00 AM
631
00:39:30,320 --> 00:39:31,354
Thank you very much
632
00:39:32,422 --> 00:39:36,524
Just because you are going to
work here doesn't mean you are
one of us
633
00:39:39,094 --> 00:39:40,128
I'm sorry?
634
00:39:40,629 --> 00:39:42,831
I need you to
repeat something after me,
635
00:39:44,299 --> 00:39:49,204
"I am quieter than
water and lower than grass"
636
00:39:52,206 --> 00:39:53,240
What?
637
00:39:55,142 --> 00:40:00,815
If you want this job, I suggest
you repeat after me right now
638
00:40:02,116 --> 00:40:03,150
Okay
639
00:40:03,884 --> 00:40:06,253
I am quieter than water-
640
00:40:07,822 --> 00:40:09,689
I am quieter than water-
641
00:40:10,323 --> 00:40:12,192
-and lower than grass
642
00:40:12,692 --> 00:40:14,260
-and lower than grass
643
00:40:15,561 --> 00:40:16,629
One more time
644
00:40:16,963 --> 00:40:19,432
I'm quieter than
water and lower than grass
645
00:40:19,565 --> 00:40:20,800
One more time
646
00:40:28,407 --> 00:40:31,643
I'm quieter
than and lower than grass
647
00:40:32,678 --> 00:40:33,712
Yes, you are
648
00:40:34,913 --> 00:40:39,550
Recite this to yourself every
day when you enter the doors of
my school
649
00:40:40,718 --> 00:40:42,920
because this is your place here
650
00:40:52,930 --> 00:40:54,599
Get out of my office
651
00:41:01,638 --> 00:41:05,976
We are all very sorry
to hear that, Mrs Petrosyan
652
00:41:09,413 --> 00:41:10,847
I can only imagine
653
00:41:10,981 --> 00:41:13,282
what a difficult moment
that must've been for you
654
00:41:14,183 --> 00:41:16,419
I had never been so humiliated
655
00:41:16,652 --> 00:41:20,790
How was the rest of your
experience during your time
teaching at that school?
656
00:41:20,956 --> 00:41:22,124
I did as I was told
657
00:41:22,258 --> 00:41:24,827
I never
attempted to make friends
658
00:41:24,960 --> 00:41:26,929
I just tried
to maintain the distance
659
00:41:27,063 --> 00:41:29,597
from the school director
and rest of the faculty,
660
00:41:30,265 --> 00:41:35,437
but I was always the
target for humiliation
661
00:41:35,637 --> 00:41:36,838
Why was that?
662
00:41:37,005 --> 00:41:39,441
It was not only
because I am Armenian,
663
00:41:39,573 --> 00:41:44,479
but because I started to attend
my mother's church in Volgograd
664
00:41:44,612 --> 00:41:46,713
Despite being a Communist
665
00:41:47,014 --> 00:41:48,382
-at the time?
-Correct
666
00:41:48,582 --> 00:41:51,452
I obviously had no
interest in attending at first,
667
00:41:51,585 --> 00:41:56,557
but I started to notice some
positive changes in my
mother's life
668
00:41:56,690 --> 00:41:59,893
after she
started going, and
669
00:42:00,027 --> 00:42:03,663
she wasn't so worried about
everything all the time anymore
670
00:42:04,530 --> 00:42:08,801
She had this new sense of peace
671
00:42:09,869 --> 00:42:11,771
despite our circumstances
672
00:42:11,938 --> 00:42:18,077
I'm sorry, I don't know,
I suppose I was looking for
that too,
673
00:42:18,376 --> 00:42:22,547
so we started to
attend, myself, Julia, and Olga
674
00:42:22,681 --> 00:42:23,949
The more I listened,
675
00:42:24,082 --> 00:42:27,119
the more I changed
the way I carried myself
676
00:42:27,319 --> 00:42:30,755
Well, maybe you
could give us an example
677
00:42:33,091 --> 00:42:35,926
Jesus's teachings on
the concept of forgiveness
678
00:42:36,093 --> 00:42:41,565
When the faculty at the school
would say or do mean
things to me,
679
00:42:41,699 --> 00:42:44,735
I would forgive them
680
00:42:45,302 --> 00:42:48,939
and try to be even kinder to
them the next time I saw them,
681
00:42:49,140 --> 00:42:52,976
but unfortunately, this only
made me stick out even more at
the school
682
00:42:53,476 --> 00:42:56,913
Your relationships at
work were negatively affected
683
00:42:57,046 --> 00:43:00,850
by the fact that you had started
to develop this new faith?
684
00:43:01,117 --> 00:43:02,218
Yes
685
00:43:02,352 --> 00:43:04,420
One could even call
it religious persecution
686
00:43:06,089 --> 00:43:08,991
Did your husband, Ivan,
attend this new church with you?
687
00:43:09,124 --> 00:43:11,393
He wasn't interested in going
688
00:43:11,894 --> 00:43:13,862
He was fine with us attending,
689
00:43:13,996 --> 00:43:18,667
but he wouldn't let us go alone
because Volgograd is not a very
safe city
690
00:43:19,636 --> 00:43:23,938
My challenge for you
for this week is simply this,
691
00:43:24,672 --> 00:43:25,973
love your neighbor
692
00:43:26,841 --> 00:43:28,142
Who is your neighbor?
693
00:43:29,010 --> 00:43:31,846
That's everyone
you come in contact with,
694
00:43:32,581 --> 00:43:34,348
no matter who they are
695
00:43:35,983 --> 00:43:39,420
Yes, our world is divided
696
00:43:41,888 --> 00:43:45,258
Nation fragmented, family
torn apart
697
00:43:45,392 --> 00:43:48,161
by opposing
political ideologies,
698
00:43:49,563 --> 00:43:52,766
but Romans 15 says
699
00:43:53,668 --> 00:43:59,138
to accept one another
as Christ has accepted us,
700
00:44:00,806 --> 00:44:02,508
and John 13 says
701
00:44:03,175 --> 00:44:05,844
to love one
another as Christ loved us
702
00:44:12,183 --> 00:44:15,588
If you can do that
for me this week--
703
00:44:35,872 --> 00:44:36,940
Papa
704
00:44:37,074 --> 00:44:38,576
Oh, my angels
705
00:44:38,710 --> 00:44:41,278
I guess they ran a
little late in there today, huh?
706
00:44:41,411 --> 00:44:43,648
Yes, but when are
you going to join us?
707
00:44:43,780 --> 00:44:47,149
No, no, I like it out here
where I can see the door to
the street,
708
00:44:47,283 --> 00:44:49,819
keep an eye on things,
make sure everyone is safe
709
00:44:49,952 --> 00:44:51,887
Like the angels in the Bible
710
00:44:52,021 --> 00:44:55,358
Ah, but unlike
the angels in the Bible,
711
00:44:55,692 --> 00:44:56,792
your papa is real
712
00:44:56,926 --> 00:44:58,294
and he's
right here in front of you
713
00:44:58,427 --> 00:45:01,763
where you can see him
physically and hug him
714
00:45:02,665 --> 00:45:03,898
Do it
715
00:45:04,700 --> 00:45:05,967
You too, do it
716
00:45:06,134 --> 00:45:07,836
You know, there is a
chair in the sanctuary
717
00:45:07,969 --> 00:45:09,037
next to the girls'
718
00:45:09,170 --> 00:45:10,438
with your name on it
719
00:45:10,673 --> 00:45:11,940
Oh, thank you
720
00:45:12,073 --> 00:45:13,676
This bench is
comfortable enough for me
721
00:45:13,808 --> 00:45:16,679
Then I will set it in
the front row next Sunday
722
00:45:17,078 --> 00:45:18,479
Nice try, my friend
723
00:45:18,647 --> 00:45:19,847
Who's ready for lunch?
724
00:45:19,980 --> 00:45:21,548
-Me
-Me too
725
00:45:21,683 --> 00:45:23,150
And me three
726
00:45:23,752 --> 00:45:25,185
Okay, let's go
727
00:45:26,020 --> 00:45:27,421
I'm sorry, Annette
728
00:45:27,554 --> 00:45:28,922
I'm not going to be
able to join you for lunch
729
00:45:29,056 --> 00:45:30,424
My shift starts soon
730
00:45:30,557 --> 00:45:32,059
Not even for a quick bite?
731
00:45:32,192 --> 00:45:34,027
Well, if the pastor had
finished his service on time,
732
00:45:34,160 --> 00:45:36,462
maybe I can join you next time
733
00:45:36,597 --> 00:45:38,131
-What?
-It's true
734
00:45:39,032 --> 00:45:40,366
-Okay Goodbye
-Bye
735
00:45:40,500 --> 00:45:42,268
-Bye, girls Have a great day
-See you tonight
736
00:45:42,402 --> 00:45:44,437
Goodbye, my love
737
00:46:17,535 --> 00:46:18,570
Hello there?
738
00:46:20,471 --> 00:46:21,405
Hello
739
00:46:21,539 --> 00:46:24,374
Are you the Armenian?
740
00:46:26,876 --> 00:46:30,246
Can you believe they let
Armenians drive buses
these days?
741
00:46:32,115 --> 00:46:34,351
We hear you run from Azerbaijan
742
00:46:34,484 --> 00:46:36,920
because the people
weren't very nice there
743
00:46:38,854 --> 00:46:40,089
Enough
744
00:46:40,522 --> 00:46:42,559
Oh, he speaks
745
00:46:44,159 --> 00:46:46,629
Yes, he speaks,
746
00:46:49,298 --> 00:46:50,899
and he carries a hammer
747
00:46:54,803 --> 00:46:56,037
Now leave me alone
748
00:46:58,039 --> 00:46:59,907
Not while you're in my country
749
00:47:01,710 --> 00:47:03,044
It might be your country,
750
00:47:03,812 --> 00:47:06,414
but there is something
you all seem to forget
751
00:47:07,315 --> 00:47:11,051
Enlighten me
before I cut you open
752
00:47:14,121 --> 00:47:18,659
This world has been trying to
eradicate Armenians for over
100 years
753
00:47:19,827 --> 00:47:21,428
We have been stabbed
754
00:47:22,396 --> 00:47:23,564
and shot
755
00:47:24,197 --> 00:47:25,932
and burned alive,
756
00:47:27,299 --> 00:47:29,803
dragged onto death marches
757
00:47:29,935 --> 00:47:32,271
We survived a genocide,
758
00:47:32,972 --> 00:47:34,674
and yet we are still standing,
759
00:47:36,475 --> 00:47:39,011
but for some reason,
you all seem to forget
760
00:47:40,781 --> 00:47:43,149
that a man who has
been driven from his home
761
00:47:43,883 --> 00:47:46,418
and stripped of
everything he has ever owned
762
00:47:47,820 --> 00:47:49,454
and backed into a corner
763
00:47:51,022 --> 00:47:52,924
has nothing left to lose
764
00:47:55,994 --> 00:47:58,163
My question to you three is,
765
00:48:00,964 --> 00:48:02,634
what do you have to lose today?
766
00:48:08,038 --> 00:48:10,708
Lighten up, big boy
767
00:48:13,611 --> 00:48:14,646
See you around
768
00:48:38,333 --> 00:48:41,002
Is this going to
be our life forever?
769
00:48:42,772 --> 00:48:45,474
At worst, always
looking over our shoulder
770
00:48:46,742 --> 00:48:50,077
At best, always
visitors, never neighbors
771
00:48:53,080 --> 00:48:56,350
Will we
ever be accepted anywhere
772
00:48:57,051 --> 00:48:58,986
till we ever find home again?
773
00:49:01,055 --> 00:49:03,157
The church accepts us
774
00:49:04,892 --> 00:49:06,125
The church?
775
00:49:07,293 --> 00:49:08,629
Listen to yourself
776
00:49:10,163 --> 00:49:12,967
Forever it was
your duty to communism
777
00:49:13,099 --> 00:49:14,534
Now it's Christianity
778
00:49:15,368 --> 00:49:18,371
You're always clinging to
some other community out there
779
00:49:18,505 --> 00:49:23,275
when you should be focused
on your own family in here
780
00:49:24,076 --> 00:49:26,144
All I do is
think about the family
781
00:49:29,682 --> 00:49:32,585
I degrade myself every
single day at that school
782
00:49:32,719 --> 00:49:35,420
so our family can
have a chance at survival
783
00:49:35,788 --> 00:49:39,992
I bring the girls to church so
they can listen to stories
of hope,
784
00:49:40,626 --> 00:49:43,829
and I support you, my husband,
no matter what you do and
believe
785
00:49:43,962 --> 00:49:47,198
So don't you ever, don't
you ever question my duty to it
786
00:49:47,331 --> 00:49:49,735
I am not questioning
your duty to our family
787
00:49:50,368 --> 00:49:53,771
I just don't want
you to put all your hope
788
00:49:54,672 --> 00:49:59,777
into some other cause that's
just going to let you
down again
789
00:50:43,350 --> 00:50:44,619
Go in peace
790
00:50:45,285 --> 00:50:46,721
and God be with you
791
00:50:52,492 --> 00:50:53,928
What else can you fix
792
00:50:54,629 --> 00:50:57,699
or your skill set is
limited to door hinges?
793
00:50:59,900 --> 00:51:01,969
No, I can fix many things
794
00:51:02,201 --> 00:51:05,237
Plumbing,
flooring, heating units?
795
00:51:06,073 --> 00:51:08,041
With the right tools, yes
796
00:51:08,809 --> 00:51:12,378
If you are going to continue
to spend time here every week
797
00:51:12,579 --> 00:51:15,180
without joining in our services,
798
00:51:15,513 --> 00:51:17,750
you might as well
get paid to be here
799
00:51:18,551 --> 00:51:19,819
Paid?
800
00:51:19,952 --> 00:51:23,455
What if we employed you
part-time to give us a hand?
801
00:51:24,155 --> 00:51:25,523
This building is very old
802
00:51:25,658 --> 00:51:29,527
and it's a lot of
things need fixing around here
803
00:51:31,395 --> 00:51:33,330
Can I ask you a question?
804
00:51:33,798 --> 00:51:34,833
Yes
805
00:51:35,132 --> 00:51:36,533
You're Russian, correct?
806
00:51:36,801 --> 00:51:38,168
Born and raised
807
00:51:38,402 --> 00:51:39,738
Why are you so nice to us
808
00:51:40,005 --> 00:51:42,874
when it seems no one else
in this country wants us here?
809
00:51:43,008 --> 00:51:44,709
Jesus was a refugee too
810
00:51:45,744 --> 00:51:48,545
and He could also
fix a lot of things
811
00:51:50,179 --> 00:51:51,414
You accept my offer?
812
00:51:55,518 --> 00:51:58,187
Yes, I accept your offer
813
00:51:59,123 --> 00:52:00,289
What offer?
814
00:52:00,423 --> 00:52:02,826
Ah, I'll let
your husband explain
815
00:52:04,493 --> 00:52:08,631
Dwayne is coming back in a
couple of weeks with a team from
the States
816
00:52:09,164 --> 00:52:13,002
Maybe you can lead them on the
maintenance projects
around here
817
00:52:13,136 --> 00:52:14,369
I would be happy to
818
00:52:14,871 --> 00:52:15,872
Great
819
00:52:16,739 --> 00:52:18,273
-Thank you
-Thank you
820
00:52:20,008 --> 00:52:21,043
Well?
821
00:52:21,175 --> 00:52:22,077
Well,
822
00:52:22,209 --> 00:52:23,578
it looks like I'm
823
00:52:23,712 --> 00:52:25,379
the new part-time
maintenance man for the church
824
00:52:25,513 --> 00:52:28,482
-Really?
-Yes That is wonderful
825
00:52:29,216 --> 00:52:30,986
God bless,
we could use the money
826
00:52:31,185 --> 00:52:32,587
How are we doing on time, Ivan?
827
00:52:32,721 --> 00:52:34,288
Soup's on the stove at home
828
00:52:34,522 --> 00:52:36,456
Seems like someone
gave over the message
829
00:52:36,590 --> 00:52:39,259
I have just under 30
minutes before my shift starts
830
00:52:39,426 --> 00:52:40,995
Okay So
let's get you fed
831
00:52:41,128 --> 00:52:43,998
I'm so hungry I
could eat two last suppers
832
00:52:45,066 --> 00:52:49,469
You found a job in education
again and your husband found
two jobs
833
00:52:49,603 --> 00:52:53,272
Although, yes, I understand,
they weren't in his typical
line of work
834
00:52:53,405 --> 00:52:55,608
Your children found
a community at church
835
00:52:55,742 --> 00:52:56,776
Is that correct?
836
00:52:57,276 --> 00:52:58,210
Yes
837
00:52:58,343 --> 00:52:59,579
That's wonderful
838
00:53:00,580 --> 00:53:02,649
Earlier in the
trial, your attorney said
839
00:53:02,782 --> 00:53:06,720
that all of these individuals
behind me are friends
840
00:53:06,853 --> 00:53:07,987
Yes
841
00:53:08,121 --> 00:53:10,556
It's a shame they
can't testify on your behalf
842
00:53:10,689 --> 00:53:11,990
It was really kind of them
843
00:53:12,124 --> 00:53:14,693
to come all the way
to DC for your hearing
844
00:53:14,827 --> 00:53:16,895
They wanted to be
here to support us
845
00:53:17,029 --> 00:53:19,164
Is the church in
West Virginia connected
846
00:53:19,297 --> 00:53:21,734
-to your church
back in Volgograd? -Yes
847
00:53:21,867 --> 00:53:24,670
They helped start
the church in Volgograd
848
00:53:24,803 --> 00:53:28,472
and continue to make
many trips out to volunteer
849
00:53:28,806 --> 00:53:30,007
Is it fair to say
850
00:53:30,141 --> 00:53:33,010
that the church in West Virginia
financially supports
851
00:53:33,144 --> 00:53:34,478
the church back in Volgograd?
852
00:53:34,612 --> 00:53:36,914
Well, yes, they do
853
00:53:40,383 --> 00:53:43,620
Would you say that communism
was like a religion to you?
854
00:53:44,721 --> 00:53:47,289
It used to be, but not anymore
855
00:53:47,523 --> 00:53:49,793
Now that you've
converted to Christianity?
856
00:53:50,961 --> 00:53:51,862
Yes
857
00:53:51,995 --> 00:53:53,029
I'm a Christian now
858
00:53:54,831 --> 00:53:56,499
That's convenient, isn't it?
859
00:53:56,767 --> 00:53:58,567
Now that you've
left communism behind,
860
00:53:58,701 --> 00:54:01,369
would you say that
you're a capitalist as well?
861
00:54:02,671 --> 00:54:04,272
No system is perfect,
862
00:54:04,405 --> 00:54:08,276
but I can say, firsthand, that
capitalism is a better option
863
00:54:08,409 --> 00:54:10,045
But wasn't
it your Jesus who said
864
00:54:10,179 --> 00:54:13,249
that it was easier for a camel
to go through the eye of
a needle
865
00:54:13,515 --> 00:54:15,482
than for a rich
man to get into heaven?
866
00:54:16,217 --> 00:54:20,955
Mrs Petrosyan, it seems like
you're just a bit all over
the place
867
00:54:21,256 --> 00:54:23,323
You move to Russia,
868
00:54:23,457 --> 00:54:26,561
and you tell your new communist
employers that you are also
indeed a communist
869
00:54:26,694 --> 00:54:28,596
Then you move your
family to the United States,
870
00:54:28,730 --> 00:54:30,197
and you convert to a religion
871
00:54:30,329 --> 00:54:33,366
that seems, at least to
me, to be a bit anti-capitalist,
872
00:54:33,534 --> 00:54:36,770
despite your newfound
acceptance of capitalism
873
00:54:37,004 --> 00:54:38,572
From my perspective,
874
00:54:38,705 --> 00:54:42,075
I am standing in front of a
woman who doesn't seem to know
herself
875
00:54:42,209 --> 00:54:43,877
Someone who lacks conviction
876
00:54:44,011 --> 00:54:47,914
Someone who will take whatever
better path is in front of her
877
00:54:48,047 --> 00:54:49,447
whenever she pleases
878
00:54:49,582 --> 00:54:54,120
The difference between
who I was and who I am now
879
00:54:54,587 --> 00:54:56,789
is that I finally made a choice
880
00:54:57,290 --> 00:54:58,758
I was born into communism
881
00:54:58,958 --> 00:55:00,893
I was born an
Armenian in Azerbaijan,
882
00:55:01,027 --> 00:55:03,895
and both my country
and communism failed me
883
00:55:04,029 --> 00:55:06,198
They left my people
to die in the streets
884
00:55:06,363 --> 00:55:09,000
They left us without the
chance to better our lives
885
00:55:09,134 --> 00:55:11,736
I did not have a
choice what I was born into,
886
00:55:14,505 --> 00:55:19,844
but I chose Jesus, I chose
Christianity,
and I choose this country
887
00:55:24,949 --> 00:55:30,554
When the United States
government offers asylum and a
path to citizenship,
888
00:55:30,688 --> 00:55:33,356
it is usually
because of one or two reasons
889
00:55:33,489 --> 00:55:39,562
One, you and your family are in
imminent danger of being killed,
890
00:55:40,096 --> 00:55:41,564
or two,
891
00:55:41,798 --> 00:55:45,500
you face religious persecution
at such an insufferable rate
892
00:55:45,768 --> 00:55:49,138
it becomes impossible
to stay in your home country
893
00:55:49,272 --> 00:55:53,041
It doesn't sound like you
will be in any imminent danger
894
00:55:53,175 --> 00:55:54,676
if you return to Russia,
895
00:55:54,810 --> 00:55:56,510
and I don't believe you
were ever seriously threatened
896
00:55:56,645 --> 00:55:58,547
for your new
found Christian beliefs
897
00:55:58,680 --> 00:56:01,817
Maybe you were treated a little
differently in the workplace,
898
00:56:01,950 --> 00:56:04,119
experienced a bit of harassment,
899
00:56:04,887 --> 00:56:07,889
but no one ever
laid a hand on you
900
00:56:10,291 --> 00:56:13,828
Just because no one laid a hand
on me yet doesn't mean it
won't happen
901
00:56:13,961 --> 00:56:16,463
The threat is always there,
902
00:56:16,864 --> 00:56:20,735
not just for me and my
husband, but for our girls too
903
00:56:21,434 --> 00:56:22,870
I can tell you as a parent
904
00:56:23,004 --> 00:56:26,539
that that fear is the
greatest threat of them all
905
00:56:26,840 --> 00:56:28,842
My girls are safe here
906
00:56:29,075 --> 00:56:30,343
They are happy
907
00:56:30,509 --> 00:56:32,979
I can help them build a
better life for themselves here
908
00:56:33,479 --> 00:56:34,714
Do you understand?
909
00:56:36,448 --> 00:56:38,218
Do you have children, Ms
Whitlaw?
910
00:56:39,085 --> 00:56:41,820
I'm not the one on
the stand, Mrs Petrosyan
911
00:56:42,655 --> 00:56:43,923
None of the evidence
912
00:56:44,056 --> 00:56:45,691
that you've
provided today convinces me
913
00:56:45,824 --> 00:56:47,826
that your life in
Russia would be any different
914
00:56:47,960 --> 00:56:49,628
than your life here in America
915
00:56:49,862 --> 00:56:51,330
With all due respect, Ms
Whitlaw,
916
00:56:51,462 --> 00:56:54,133
why don't you go put on a
dark wig and dark eye contacts
917
00:56:54,266 --> 00:56:56,734
and slap a dark tan on
that light skin of yours,
918
00:56:56,868 --> 00:56:59,971
and you go to Russia, and
you tell me how you are treated?
919
00:57:02,373 --> 00:57:03,775
No more questions, Your Honor
920
00:57:03,908 --> 00:57:06,077
You may take your seat, Mrs
Petrosyan
921
00:57:07,045 --> 00:57:10,114
I'd like to call Ivan Petrosyan
to the stand next
922
00:57:13,684 --> 00:57:15,185
Please raise your right hand
923
00:57:15,319 --> 00:57:17,054
Do you solemnly swear
924
00:57:17,187 --> 00:57:18,422
to tell the truth, the whole
truth, and nothing but
the truth,
925
00:57:18,555 --> 00:57:20,390
-so help you God?
-Yes, I do
926
00:57:20,590 --> 00:57:22,592
You may be seated, Mr
Petrosyan
927
00:57:25,494 --> 00:57:27,230
According to
your wife's testimony,
928
00:57:27,364 --> 00:57:29,131
you and your family experienced
929
00:57:29,265 --> 00:57:32,935
certain levels of
racism and harassment in Russia
930
00:57:33,069 --> 00:57:34,103
Is that correct?
931
00:57:34,337 --> 00:57:35,771
Yes, that's correct
932
00:57:36,672 --> 00:57:41,177
People in every country
experience racism and
harassment,
933
00:57:41,310 --> 00:57:42,477
including this one,
934
00:57:42,611 --> 00:57:43,980
doesn't mean they
should be granted asylum
935
00:57:44,113 --> 00:57:46,181
every time things get
a little bit difficult
936
00:57:46,314 --> 00:57:47,682
I understand
937
00:57:48,283 --> 00:57:49,516
Were you
938
00:57:50,452 --> 00:57:51,519
or your family
939
00:57:52,253 --> 00:57:56,057
ever victims of
direct acts of Violence?
940
00:58:00,195 --> 00:58:01,229
Mr
Petrosyan?
941
00:58:02,129 --> 00:58:03,163
Yes
942
00:58:03,397 --> 00:58:05,099
Did you hear my question?
943
00:58:08,035 --> 00:58:09,069
Yes
944
00:58:16,910 --> 00:58:18,878
May I go to the
bathroom, please?
945
00:58:20,646 --> 00:58:21,614
Can it wait?
946
00:58:21,748 --> 00:58:22,982
No, it can't wait
947
00:58:23,716 --> 00:58:25,685
The court will take
a five-minute recess
948
00:59:37,152 --> 00:59:39,088
-Pops
-Hello, my angels
949
00:59:39,220 --> 00:59:40,888
Olga, can you put
your coat on, please?
950
00:59:41,022 --> 00:59:42,156
-Okay
-Hello, darling
951
00:59:42,290 --> 00:59:43,958
-Mm
-How many spare rubles you have?
952
00:59:44,092 --> 00:59:46,260
-Spare? None -Well, how
many rubles do you have on you?
953
00:59:46,394 --> 00:59:47,495
What for?
954
00:59:47,628 --> 00:59:49,230
Don't worry It
will be worth it
955
00:59:51,499 --> 00:59:52,700
What are you doing?
956
00:59:52,834 --> 00:59:54,602
Don't worry
Help your mother Olga
957
00:59:55,836 --> 00:59:57,771
Are you going to
tell me what's going on?
958
00:59:57,904 --> 00:59:59,606
-No Bye
-Bye
959
01:00:01,875 --> 01:00:04,177
Okay, look straight
Look straight Don't peek
960
01:00:04,311 --> 01:00:06,547
-What are you doing, Papa?
-You'll see You'll see
961
01:00:06,680 --> 01:00:07,914
Cover your eyes
962
01:00:10,283 --> 01:00:11,318
Okay
963
01:00:13,452 --> 01:00:14,453
Ready,
964
01:00:14,588 --> 01:00:15,955
and open
965
01:00:16,523 --> 01:00:18,958
- My monkey
- Can you believe it?
966
01:00:19,225 --> 01:00:21,861
He came all the way
here just to be with you
967
01:00:22,261 --> 01:00:23,329
Love you, monkey
968
01:00:23,462 --> 01:00:24,797
I love you, monkey
969
01:00:25,731 --> 01:00:26,699
Love you, Papa
970
01:00:26,832 --> 01:00:27,932
Aw
Okay
971
01:00:28,066 --> 01:00:29,602
He took very good care of him
972
01:00:29,734 --> 01:00:33,938
So let's pay him so we can
show monkey our new home, huh?
973
01:00:42,647 --> 01:00:44,115
Hello, my Armenian friend
974
01:00:44,281 --> 01:00:47,317
I thought you said your
stay in Volgograd was temporary
975
01:00:47,784 --> 01:00:51,155
It is temporary just until
things calm down back home
976
01:00:51,523 --> 01:00:52,624
I don't like liars
977
01:00:52,756 --> 01:00:54,124
I'm not lying
978
01:00:54,258 --> 01:00:56,093
-Are you planning to
buy that doll? -Of course
979
01:00:56,360 --> 01:01:00,130
I have the money right
here, and I have my papers
980
01:01:00,264 --> 01:01:02,231
We don't need
to see your papers
981
01:01:04,667 --> 01:01:06,369
Did you steal that money?
982
01:01:08,605 --> 01:01:09,839
Of course not
983
01:01:10,541 --> 01:01:11,575
I have a job
984
01:01:11,774 --> 01:01:12,808
Ah
985
01:01:13,544 --> 01:01:16,513
So you took a job
from a hardworking Russian
986
01:01:16,945 --> 01:01:19,948
and put him and his
family out into the street?
987
01:01:20,749 --> 01:01:22,317
No
988
01:01:22,450 --> 01:01:25,854
This is a donation for the
hardworking families of Russia
989
01:01:27,689 --> 01:01:29,525
Please, don't do this
990
01:01:29,891 --> 01:01:31,661
We can arrest you for stealing
991
01:01:32,194 --> 01:01:33,794
But I haven't stolen anything
992
01:01:34,328 --> 01:01:37,198
You can't purchase
that doll without any money,
993
01:01:37,965 --> 01:01:40,768
so it seems
you're planning to steal
994
01:01:42,537 --> 01:01:44,471
Okay I
understand
995
01:01:45,439 --> 01:01:46,541
I'll put it back
996
01:01:46,675 --> 01:01:48,275
-No, he's mine
-We have to--
997
01:01:48,409 --> 01:01:49,409
Sorry, my Angel
998
01:01:49,543 --> 01:01:51,244
-We have to put him back
-You promised
999
01:01:51,377 --> 01:01:52,946
I know, my Angel I'm
sorry Papa made a bad mistake
1000
01:01:53,079 --> 01:01:54,380
-Okay, please? Let
go of the monkey -No
1001
01:01:54,515 --> 01:01:56,749
-Shut her up now or we will
-Give me one sec
1002
01:01:56,883 --> 01:01:58,218
You have one second
1003
01:01:58,351 --> 01:02:00,320
-to get this shrilling
rat out of here Okay
1004
01:02:00,453 --> 01:02:02,623
-I'm sorry I'm sorry
I'm sorry -before I stomp-
1005
01:02:02,755 --> 01:02:04,958
Go
1006
01:02:13,865 --> 01:02:16,001
I'll repeat the question, Mr
Petrosyan
1007
01:02:16,603 --> 01:02:20,839
Were you or your family ever
victims of direct acts of
violence?
1008
01:02:21,139 --> 01:02:23,174
It's an easy question, Mr
Petrosyan
1009
01:02:23,441 --> 01:02:26,043
Were you or your
family ever shot with a gun?
1010
01:02:26,612 --> 01:02:27,579
No
1011
01:02:27,713 --> 01:02:28,779
-Stabbed?
-No
1012
01:02:28,913 --> 01:02:30,147
Beaten?
1013
01:02:31,717 --> 01:02:32,750
No
1014
01:02:33,251 --> 01:02:35,453
Then you and your
family were never victims
1015
01:02:35,587 --> 01:02:37,421
of direct acts of violence?
1016
01:02:42,993 --> 01:02:48,498
Somehow, by the
grace of God, no
1017
01:02:51,935 --> 01:02:53,169
Okay
1018
01:02:54,336 --> 01:02:55,739
Your Honor,
1019
01:02:55,871 --> 01:02:58,240
I would like to speak with the
Petrosyan's lawyer privately
1020
01:02:58,374 --> 01:02:59,408
I have an offer
1021
01:03:00,075 --> 01:03:01,310
10 minutes
1022
01:03:10,185 --> 01:03:12,253
I'm not sure but it
could be a good thing
1023
01:03:12,387 --> 01:03:15,223
Doesn't mean she won't
blow it up, but let's see
1024
01:03:16,457 --> 01:03:17,760
Okay, let's hear it
1025
01:03:17,892 --> 01:03:21,664
Mr and Mrs Petrosyan,
I empathize with your plight
1026
01:03:22,063 --> 01:03:24,899
You may not
believe me, but I do
1027
01:03:25,501 --> 01:03:26,367
That being said,
1028
01:03:26,867 --> 01:03:29,870
nothing I've heard in
this courtroom convinces me
1029
01:03:30,003 --> 01:03:31,938
that you're going
to qualify for asylum
1030
01:03:32,072 --> 01:03:35,842
I know this judge and he
sticks to the letter of the law
1031
01:03:36,143 --> 01:03:37,578
I think you and your girls
1032
01:03:37,712 --> 01:03:40,414
are going to be on a
plane back to Russia tomorrow
1033
01:03:41,181 --> 01:03:44,884
But I am
willing to make you a deal,
1034
01:03:45,686 --> 01:03:49,756
a special status
called withholding of removal
1035
01:03:49,889 --> 01:03:51,157
That means
1036
01:03:51,290 --> 01:03:53,326
there will be no
more threat of deportation
1037
01:03:53,660 --> 01:03:54,860
But?
1038
01:03:55,595 --> 01:03:58,598
But it means no asylum,
1039
01:03:58,831 --> 01:04:00,265
no petition
1040
01:04:00,398 --> 01:04:02,568
to bring additional
family members to this country
1041
01:04:02,867 --> 01:04:04,670
and no path to citizenship
1042
01:04:04,869 --> 01:04:06,371
It also means
1043
01:04:06,505 --> 01:04:10,041
that should circumstances
change in Russia or Azerbaijan,
1044
01:04:10,342 --> 01:04:13,211
the United States government,
at its sole discretion,
1045
01:04:13,345 --> 01:04:15,380
can send you
back to either country
1046
01:04:15,514 --> 01:04:16,581
Do you understand?
1047
01:04:16,715 --> 01:04:18,349
Wait, what?
1048
01:04:18,650 --> 01:04:20,552
If we accept this offer
1049
01:04:20,685 --> 01:04:24,054
and then we settle into a new
life here with new jobs and
schools, a home,
1050
01:04:24,221 --> 01:04:29,059
you could just send us back
whenever, even 5 or 10,
20 years from now?
1051
01:04:29,360 --> 01:04:31,994
If conditions
improve in your home country
1052
01:04:32,295 --> 01:04:34,464
No, absolutely not
That will not work
1053
01:04:34,732 --> 01:04:36,165
Violetta, listen
1054
01:04:36,299 --> 01:04:38,602
I represent more families
than I can count right now
1055
01:04:38,736 --> 01:04:42,438
Some of them with
conditions far worse than yours
1056
01:04:42,872 --> 01:04:44,508
I think you should consider it
1057
01:04:44,641 --> 01:04:46,376
No, absolutely not Right?
1058
01:04:46,577 --> 01:04:48,910
How can we be
expected to build a life
1059
01:04:49,044 --> 01:04:50,713
when we don't know
from one day to the next,
1060
01:04:50,847 --> 01:04:53,750
if tomorrow is the day we
will be pulled from our homes
1061
01:04:53,882 --> 01:04:54,950
and sent right back?
1062
01:04:55,585 --> 01:04:57,787
From my perspective,
this is a win for you
1063
01:04:57,919 --> 01:04:59,154
No, it isn't
1064
01:05:01,056 --> 01:05:02,224
I agree
1065
01:05:02,525 --> 01:05:05,059
We can't live with
this level of uncertainty
1066
01:05:05,494 --> 01:05:08,630
If it is meant to be, the
judge will grant us favor today
1067
01:05:08,963 --> 01:05:10,565
You're both making a mistake
1068
01:05:12,734 --> 01:05:14,001
Let's finish this hearing
1069
01:05:14,201 --> 01:05:15,637
Okay, then we're not done
1070
01:05:15,771 --> 01:05:16,738
See you on the stand
1071
01:05:21,575 --> 01:05:23,910
When the
prodigal son returned home,
1072
01:05:24,444 --> 01:05:28,948
the father gave him a
robe, a ring, and sandals
1073
01:05:29,349 --> 01:05:31,451
The robe stands for honor,
1074
01:05:32,285 --> 01:05:34,755
the ring for authority,
1075
01:05:35,388 --> 01:05:40,627
and the sandals were a reminder
that he was a member of
the family
1076
01:05:41,927 --> 01:05:44,363
That's what God wants to
give us,
1077
01:05:44,831 --> 01:05:46,900
no matter where we are in life
1078
01:05:47,232 --> 01:05:49,435
The true emphasis in this story
1079
01:05:49,968 --> 01:05:51,937
is not on the prodigal son
1080
01:05:52,371 --> 01:05:55,707
and what he went through
on his journey of coming home,
1081
01:05:56,340 --> 01:05:59,611
but the emphasis is
instead on the Father
1082
01:06:00,646 --> 01:06:02,113
He wants us to come home
1083
01:06:02,815 --> 01:06:07,886
because he wants nothing
more than just to be with us
1084
01:06:20,698 --> 01:06:22,098
-Hello?
-Hi
1085
01:06:26,636 --> 01:06:29,004
Mr Dwayne,
you don't have to do this
1086
01:06:30,807 --> 01:06:31,808
Good
1087
01:06:31,942 --> 01:06:33,108
It's what I'm here for
1088
01:06:33,409 --> 01:06:34,977
I don't understand you
1089
01:06:35,846 --> 01:06:36,947
Any of you actually
1090
01:06:37,079 --> 01:06:38,247
What do you mean?
1091
01:06:38,380 --> 01:06:40,851
You could be home
or somewhere in comfort,
1092
01:06:41,317 --> 01:06:44,854
but you all decided
to come here to Volgograd
1093
01:06:45,821 --> 01:06:50,158
to serve total strangers
in the middle of nowhere
1094
01:06:50,693 --> 01:06:53,228
Yes, I suppose we could
1095
01:07:02,302 --> 01:07:03,403
Who are we to you?
1096
01:07:03,738 --> 01:07:05,673
No one is
forcing you to be here
1097
01:07:09,409 --> 01:07:11,245
Well, I can't
speak for the others
1098
01:07:11,478 --> 01:07:13,080
I was brought up in New York
1099
01:07:13,380 --> 01:07:15,014
It's where I grew up
1100
01:07:15,314 --> 01:07:18,785
Then I was given a scholarship
to play football in
West Virginia
1101
01:07:19,853 --> 01:07:21,420
Total fish out of water,
1102
01:07:22,355 --> 01:07:24,725
homesick all the time
1103
01:07:26,259 --> 01:07:32,498
When I was over there,
I met this incredible woman,
Charlotte
1104
01:07:33,265 --> 01:07:37,570
Whenever I was with
her, it felt like home
1105
01:07:40,038 --> 01:07:41,541
Eventually, we got married
1106
01:07:41,908 --> 01:07:43,108
Happiest day of my life
1107
01:07:43,743 --> 01:07:47,679
The first time Charlotte got
pregnant, she had a miscarriage
1108
01:07:49,548 --> 01:07:52,584
You think one miscarriage
is enough to rip your heart out?
1109
01:07:52,717 --> 01:07:53,752
Try three more
1110
01:07:55,085 --> 01:07:56,821
I'm so sorry, my friend
1111
01:07:57,956 --> 01:08:01,158
They found a very aggressive
form of ovarian cancer
1112
01:08:01,860 --> 01:08:06,129
Less than six months
later, she was just gone
1113
01:08:07,163 --> 01:08:10,433
I raged at God for many years
1114
01:08:10,935 --> 01:08:13,436
I did many things
1115
01:08:14,170 --> 01:08:16,640
that I'm very, very ashamed of,
1116
01:08:17,240 --> 01:08:19,175
but one Sunday morning,
1117
01:08:19,442 --> 01:08:21,443
I stumbled into some church,
1118
01:08:21,844 --> 01:08:22,845
and the pastor,
1119
01:08:22,979 --> 01:08:24,379
he was preaching a sermon
1120
01:08:24,514 --> 01:08:27,817
about what a new life
in Christ could look like
1121
01:08:28,317 --> 01:08:29,819
At the end of the service,
1122
01:08:30,152 --> 01:08:31,854
he said they were
looking for volunteers
1123
01:08:31,988 --> 01:08:34,891
to help out with a new
church they started in Russia
1124
01:08:35,658 --> 01:08:38,994
Every single time
that I come back here,
1125
01:08:39,528 --> 01:08:44,198
that pain in my heart
eases up just a little bit
1126
01:08:45,534 --> 01:08:47,301
I don't know
if it'll ever go away,
1127
01:08:47,435 --> 01:08:51,405
but this is where
I'm meant to be right now
1128
01:08:57,912 --> 01:08:58,946
Here
1129
01:08:59,145 --> 01:09:00,815
I'll help you finish my job
1130
01:09:01,015 --> 01:09:03,216
Let's get this done
1131
01:10:25,027 --> 01:10:27,029
Okay, keep them closed
1132
01:10:27,395 --> 01:10:29,831
Now I know
this is not your monkey,
1133
01:10:30,131 --> 01:10:32,967
but open
1134
01:10:34,368 --> 01:10:35,837
I love him, Papa
1135
01:10:35,970 --> 01:10:37,204
Thank you
1136
01:10:38,272 --> 01:10:39,941
Opa
1137
01:10:43,678 --> 01:10:44,713
Aw
1138
01:10:46,580 --> 01:10:48,716
Yes, I understand
1139
01:10:48,849 --> 01:10:51,819
-It's complicated -Hey,
can I ask you guys something?
1140
01:10:51,952 --> 01:10:52,986
What's that?
1141
01:10:54,555 --> 01:10:56,590
How would you like
to come to West Virginia,
1142
01:10:56,724 --> 01:10:58,726
meet the church,
share your story?
1143
01:10:59,560 --> 01:11:00,894
Come to America?
1144
01:11:01,394 --> 01:11:02,427
Yes
1145
01:11:02,628 --> 01:11:04,597
You, Ivan, and the girls
1146
01:11:05,698 --> 01:11:08,534
What do you
mean, share our story?
1147
01:11:09,001 --> 01:11:11,369
If the folks
back home could meet you,
1148
01:11:11,938 --> 01:11:13,238
learn about your journey,
1149
01:11:13,973 --> 01:11:16,408
see the impact that
this place has had on you,
1150
01:11:16,743 --> 01:11:19,778
they'd see the benefits
of their own financial support
1151
01:11:20,912 --> 01:11:25,449
I'm not
very good at public speaking
1152
01:11:25,584 --> 01:11:27,519
Violetta can do
all the speaking
1153
01:11:27,853 --> 01:11:28,887
Me?
1154
01:11:33,658 --> 01:11:34,659
What do you think?
1155
01:11:34,792 --> 01:11:36,994
So you were invited to America?
1156
01:11:38,394 --> 01:11:39,630
That's correct
1157
01:11:39,964 --> 01:11:42,032
So it wasn't a premeditated
decision on your part
1158
01:11:42,166 --> 01:11:45,268
to just leave Russia behind
and settle in the United States?
1159
01:11:45,401 --> 01:11:46,704
No, of course not
1160
01:11:47,138 --> 01:11:51,273
If I were to ask members of
your church the same question,
1161
01:11:51,641 --> 01:11:53,743
would they give me
the same answer under oath?
1162
01:11:53,877 --> 01:11:55,745
They're right there behind you
1163
01:11:56,212 --> 01:11:57,446
You should question them
1164
01:11:58,248 --> 01:12:01,350
They will tell you, we only
packed our bags for one week
1165
01:12:01,484 --> 01:12:02,919
Hurry, we don't want to be late
1166
01:12:03,052 --> 01:12:05,655
Will we get to meet Mickey Mouse
when we're in America?
1167
01:12:05,789 --> 01:12:08,557
-Not on this trip, My Angel
-What about Michael Jordan?
1168
01:12:08,690 --> 01:12:11,560
I don't think Michael Jordan
lives in West Virginia
1169
01:12:12,194 --> 01:12:13,762
-Oh, no
-What?
1170
01:12:14,062 --> 01:12:15,597
I forgot my teddy bear
1171
01:12:16,098 --> 01:12:17,331
Oh, not again
1172
01:12:17,599 --> 01:12:19,701
-Are you serious?
-We have to go back and get it
1173
01:12:19,835 --> 01:12:21,870
No, no, no All of
you get inside the taxi
1174
01:12:22,004 --> 01:12:24,472
I will run back and get it
We're not going through
this again
1175
01:12:24,605 --> 01:12:26,207
-Make it quick
-Go, go, go
1176
01:12:56,367 --> 01:12:58,336
Hey, looking for me?
1177
01:13:40,210 --> 01:13:41,245
You okay?
1178
01:13:41,645 --> 01:13:42,779
Here you go
1179
01:13:42,913 --> 01:13:44,147
Thank you, Papa
1180
01:13:44,281 --> 01:13:45,514
We should go
1181
01:13:52,855 --> 01:13:54,690
I became tired of running
1182
01:13:57,093 --> 01:13:59,427
It wasn't until we
actually landed in America
1183
01:13:59,562 --> 01:14:00,730
that I began to wonder
1184
01:14:01,563 --> 01:14:04,833
what our lives could be like
if we actually settled here
1185
01:14:06,835 --> 01:14:08,803
I just wanted my
family to live in a place
1186
01:14:08,937 --> 01:14:11,840
where they could rest
their heads at night in peace
1187
01:14:12,340 --> 01:14:15,243
Where we're not constantly
looking over our shoulder,
1188
01:14:15,877 --> 01:14:18,946
always reminded that
we will never be accepted
1189
01:14:19,613 --> 01:14:20,814
Mr Petrosyan,
1190
01:14:21,148 --> 01:14:24,885
when someone comes to the
US and overstays their visa,
1191
01:14:25,619 --> 01:14:26,820
that is illegal
1192
01:14:28,421 --> 01:14:32,293
We only overstayed our visa
because the asylum process took
so long
1193
01:14:32,425 --> 01:14:33,394
You broke the law
1194
01:14:33,527 --> 01:14:34,928
Pure and simple
1195
01:14:35,061 --> 01:14:36,829
If we broke the law,
we certainly didn't mean to
1196
01:14:36,963 --> 01:14:39,332
Whether you meant to or not,
1197
01:14:39,465 --> 01:14:42,735
breaking US law is not a great
first step towards
seeking asylum
1198
01:14:42,869 --> 01:14:45,571
My family has waited so
long for this day to come,
1199
01:14:46,172 --> 01:14:49,208
to be in this
room to share our story
1200
01:14:51,576 --> 01:14:53,011
Thank you for hearing us
1201
01:14:56,148 --> 01:14:57,916
No further
questions, Your Honor
1202
01:14:58,183 --> 01:15:00,652
Mr Petrosyan,
you can take your seat now
1203
01:15:06,557 --> 01:15:09,593
I'll allow the attorneys to
present your closing arguments
1204
01:15:09,727 --> 01:15:12,363
We're behind
schedule, so keep it brief
1205
01:15:12,730 --> 01:15:14,165
Counsel Owens, you're up
1206
01:15:15,166 --> 01:15:16,267
Thank you, Your Honor
1207
01:15:16,400 --> 01:15:18,269
I will not take up
much of your time here
1208
01:15:18,402 --> 01:15:21,572
I believe the Petrosyans'
testimony today speaks for
itself
1209
01:15:22,539 --> 01:15:26,409
They have endured way more than
any of us could ever imagine
1210
01:15:27,077 --> 01:15:30,213
They faced rejection in
every new place they stopped
1211
01:15:30,747 --> 01:15:32,082
They were not accepted
1212
01:15:32,449 --> 01:15:36,219
They still face constant threat
and insult back in Russia
1213
01:15:36,453 --> 01:15:37,455
Most importantly,
1214
01:15:38,088 --> 01:15:41,657
they have not known
peace in a very long time,
1215
01:15:42,057 --> 01:15:43,292
the kind of peace
1216
01:15:43,425 --> 01:15:45,527
that all of us in this
room just take for granted
1217
01:15:46,095 --> 01:15:48,697
All that Mr and Mrs
Petrosyan are asking of us
1218
01:15:48,831 --> 01:15:50,332
is that we give them a chance
1219
01:15:50,833 --> 01:15:56,604
to finally settle into a place
where they are accepted for who
they are
1220
01:15:57,305 --> 01:15:58,873
A safe place
1221
01:15:59,007 --> 01:16:00,908
where they can raise their
daughters without having
to worry
1222
01:16:01,042 --> 01:16:03,211
about the dangers
lurking around every corner,
1223
01:16:03,344 --> 01:16:04,645
sometimes literally
1224
01:16:05,481 --> 01:16:10,651
A life lived without constant
fear should be the most basic
human right
1225
01:16:11,551 --> 01:16:12,786
In light of that,
1226
01:16:13,754 --> 01:16:16,790
I ask the court
to rule in their favor
1227
01:16:17,357 --> 01:16:20,927
and grant the
Petrosyan family asylum today
1228
01:16:22,195 --> 01:16:23,230
Thank you
1229
01:16:25,599 --> 01:16:26,633
Counselor Whitlaw
1230
01:16:26,767 --> 01:16:28,067
Thank you, Your Honor
1231
01:16:30,002 --> 01:16:34,106
Mr and Mrs Petrosyan,
I believe your story
1232
01:16:34,874 --> 01:16:39,345
I don't deny
that they face challenges,
1233
01:16:39,712 --> 01:16:42,782
but the Petrosyan
story has done very little
1234
01:16:42,948 --> 01:16:44,315
to prove
1235
01:16:44,450 --> 01:16:49,821
that they face imminent danger
of life-threatening violence
1236
01:16:50,255 --> 01:16:51,890
if they return to Russia
1237
01:16:52,491 --> 01:16:53,725
To the contrary,
1238
01:16:54,092 --> 01:16:57,295
they have shown that
they have an intimate community
1239
01:16:57,429 --> 01:17:01,298
of friends and family,
and church members in Russia
1240
01:17:02,433 --> 01:17:03,535
Therefore,
1241
01:17:03,967 --> 01:17:08,172
I ask the court to
deny this asylum claim today
1242
01:17:10,641 --> 01:17:11,842
Enough
1243
01:17:12,409 --> 01:17:13,444
No, it's okay
1244
01:17:13,610 --> 01:17:14,645
It's not okay
1245
01:17:14,912 --> 01:17:16,547
I've heard enough
1246
01:17:16,679 --> 01:17:18,981
Mr Petrosyan, please sit down,
you had your chance to speak
1247
01:17:19,115 --> 01:17:21,818
Haven't you heard
anything we've said here today?
1248
01:17:22,453 --> 01:17:23,686
How much will it take?
1249
01:17:24,153 --> 01:17:28,157
How much more must we endure
for you to think it's enough?
1250
01:17:28,291 --> 01:17:30,461
Mr Petrosyan, please
1251
01:17:30,593 --> 01:17:32,627
It's in here all the time,
1252
01:17:32,761 --> 01:17:35,498
everyday voices
saying, "Watch your back
1253
01:17:35,730 --> 01:17:37,766
You don't belong here Go home"
1254
01:17:37,933 --> 01:17:40,102
Where is home? Where is it?
1255
01:17:40,235 --> 01:17:42,003
Where is supposed to be home?
1256
01:17:42,204 --> 01:17:43,805
Okay, okay
1257
01:17:47,510 --> 01:17:49,343
We'll take a 15-minute recess,
1258
01:17:49,478 --> 01:17:52,179
and then I will come
back and read my judgment
1259
01:17:55,983 --> 01:17:57,618
What if the judge denies us?
1260
01:17:57,952 --> 01:17:59,653
-We can't go back
-I know
1261
01:18:00,054 --> 01:18:02,557
I refuse to bring our
girls back to that place
1262
01:18:02,690 --> 01:18:04,024
It's out of our hands, Ivan
1263
01:18:04,158 --> 01:18:06,126
Why don't I give
the two of you a minute?
1264
01:18:06,259 --> 01:18:08,661
-No, they deserve a good life
-I know
1265
01:18:08,828 --> 01:18:10,864
We have to give them a chance
1266
01:18:11,731 --> 01:18:13,366
If it is meant to be, it'll be
1267
01:18:13,867 --> 01:18:15,235
If not,
1268
01:18:15,368 --> 01:18:17,370
we'll give them the
best life we can offer them
1269
01:18:18,872 --> 01:18:20,773
I want them in
the courtroom with us
1270
01:18:21,274 --> 01:18:23,442
-No, Violet We
said Ivan, please
1271
01:18:23,642 --> 01:18:25,377
No matter
what the judge decides,
1272
01:18:26,011 --> 01:18:28,180
we should be
together as a family
1273
01:18:29,516 --> 01:18:30,450
Okay
1274
01:18:30,583 --> 01:18:31,984
If that's what you want
1275
01:18:36,589 --> 01:18:39,023
Do you guys want to go
in the courtroom with us?
1276
01:18:39,157 --> 01:18:41,292
We're going to
find out where
1277
01:18:41,726 --> 01:18:42,960
All rise
1278
01:18:49,800 --> 01:18:51,035
You may be seated
1279
01:18:56,840 --> 01:18:59,276
The court found this
to be a very tough case
1280
01:19:01,512 --> 01:19:04,414
Counselor Whitlaw,
you made a very strong case
1281
01:19:04,549 --> 01:19:05,782
I commend your work here
1282
01:19:06,049 --> 01:19:07,417
Mr and Mrs Petrosyan,
1283
01:19:08,218 --> 01:19:10,186
you've been
through a great deal,
1284
01:19:10,686 --> 01:19:12,455
there is no denying it
1285
01:19:14,056 --> 01:19:15,424
I have to admit
1286
01:19:16,959 --> 01:19:19,094
I've seen a lot of
people come through here
1287
01:19:19,563 --> 01:19:23,832
Some of them have experienced
direct incomprehensible
violence
1288
01:19:24,066 --> 01:19:26,101
Their very
lives would be at stake
1289
01:19:26,235 --> 01:19:28,571
if they returned to
their country of origin
1290
01:19:29,437 --> 01:19:33,676
I agree with Counselor Whitlaw
that there are more
egregious cases
1291
01:19:34,577 --> 01:19:39,314
That the Petrosyans clearly have
a semblance of community back in
Volgograd
1292
01:19:39,648 --> 01:19:42,950
just as they clearly
have a community here
1293
01:19:43,784 --> 01:19:46,487
What I heard from you both, Mr
and Mrs Petrosyan,
1294
01:19:46,621 --> 01:19:49,756
is utter exhaustion
1295
01:19:51,058 --> 01:19:55,796
It's that insidious nature of
racism that's quiet but
persistent and known
1296
01:19:57,097 --> 01:19:58,998
The daily suspicions,
1297
01:20:00,066 --> 01:20:06,038
the accumulation of tiny
humiliations that are more
menacing than anything else
1298
01:20:07,240 --> 01:20:12,178
It reminds me of that poem
located at the base of the
Statue of Liberty,
1299
01:20:12,479 --> 01:20:13,647
and it states,
1300
01:20:14,046 --> 01:20:17,617
"Give me your tired,
your poor, your huddled masses
1301
01:20:18,183 --> 01:20:19,918
yearning to breathe free
1302
01:20:21,152 --> 01:20:23,456
The wretched refuse
of your teeming shore,
1303
01:20:24,256 --> 01:20:30,895
send these, the
homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
1304
01:20:32,530 --> 01:20:36,033
I lift my lamp
beside the golden door"
1305
01:20:37,434 --> 01:20:39,069
It reminds us
1306
01:20:39,336 --> 01:20:45,943
we should strive to be a nation
of freedom, enlightenment,
and compassion
1307
01:20:47,211 --> 01:20:50,547
A democracy that gives hope
to those who have lost all hope,
1308
01:20:52,716 --> 01:20:54,183
a land of refuge
1309
01:20:55,151 --> 01:20:58,622
but I found nothing in your case
1310
01:20:58,756 --> 01:21:00,658
that compelled me to believe
1311
01:21:00,790 --> 01:21:04,259
that you would be in great
physical danger if you returned
to Russia,
1312
01:21:05,060 --> 01:21:06,395
but I have to ask you,
1313
01:21:08,498 --> 01:21:12,000
and I ask everyone
else in this courtroom today,
1314
01:21:15,070 --> 01:21:17,039
haven't they
been through enough?
1315
01:21:18,073 --> 01:21:21,208
It is my privilege as
a servant of this court
1316
01:21:22,076 --> 01:21:24,412
to be the first
person to welcome you home
1317
01:21:26,047 --> 01:21:28,215
I hereby
grant your family asylum
1318
01:21:28,349 --> 01:21:31,419
on the grounds of
accumulated mistreatment
94678
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get subtitles in any language from opensubtitles.com, and translate them here.