Béla Tarr-Backed ‘Lullaby for the Mountains’ Unveils Clip Ahead of International Film Festival of India Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)

Variety is exclusively unveiling a new clip from “Lullaby for the Mountains,” the debut feature from Armenian filmmaker Hayk Matevosyan that is making its Asian premiere at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), where it serves as the sole Armenian selection.

The contemplative work, executive produced by Hungarian auteur Béla Tarr, world premiered at Sheffield DocFest 2025 in the International First Feature Competition.

The film unfolds across 15 dreamlike chapters chronicling a spectral journey through Armenia’s rugged highlands. Shot entirely on location in Armenia, the wordless narrative follows an unnamed figure traversing ancient monasteries, mountain landscapes and underground chambers, blurring boundaries between reality and dreams.

In an interview with Variety, Matevosyan describes the project as a meditation on collective memory and loss. The director explains the significance of premiering at IFFI, noting the historical connections between Armenian and Indian cultures spanning centuries.

“What makes this Asian premiere so special is the deep connection between Armenian and Indian culture that goes back centuries,” Matevosyan says. “Armenian communities have lived in India for a long time, in cities like Kolkata and Chennai, but the connection has always been mutual.”

The filmmaker characterizes the work as exploring themes of displacement and cultural memory. “For me, ‘Lullaby for the Mountains’ is about ghosts drifting through the land, about collective memory, and the quiet traces of lives that have passed and those still to come,” he says.

Tarr’s involvement stems from Matevosyan’s participation in the 2019 Locarno Spring Academy Directing Residency, where he created a short film under the legendary director’s mentorship. The collaboration proved transformative for the young filmmaker’s approach.

“Spending time with him really changed how I approach filmmaking,” Matevosyan recalls. “He opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking about image, atmosphere, landscape, and characters.”

The director emphasizes Tarr’s unorthodox mentoring philosophy: “He dislikes the words ‘teaching’ or ‘education,’ and always says that he is here to liberate us, not to educate.”

During production of the residency short, Tarr showed Matevosyan paintings by Caspar David Friedrich without commentary. “That’s when I really started thinking of cinematic images more like paintings, rather than only just tools for story or plot,” the director says.

As executive producer, Tarr reviewed multiple cuts and encouraged bold aesthetic choices. This support influenced Matevosyan’s decision to eliminate voice-over narration entirely, allowing soundscape and visuals to carry the narrative independently.

“I think ultimately what Béla gave me is the courage to just go and make my debut film without thinking of any cinematic rules and I’m beyond grateful for that,” Matevosyan says.

The filmmaker holds a directing degree from UCLA and has participated in numerous prestigious programs including Berlinale Talents, Sarajevo Talents, IFFR Sessions, the BFC Workshop in Peruvian Amazonia under Werner Herzog’s mentorship, and the Locarno Spring Academy.

His work has screened at major festivals including Locarno, Slamdance DIG, LA Film Festival, Atlanta Film Festival, AGBU Film at Lincoln Center and the Werner Herzog Foundation. Matevosyan also directed the music video “Lives” for System of A Down member Daron Malakian.

“Lullaby for the Mountains” is produced by Luiza Yeranosyan and Matevosyan through production company Dolly Bell Films. The cast includes Ashot Matevosyan, Bella Ghochikyan, Sargis Mosinyan, Luiza Yeranosyan and Hayk Mosinyan. Matevosyan served as writer, director, cinematographer and editor on the Armenia-U.S. co-production.

Watch the clip here: