Between Borders: Seeking Asylum from Russian Oppression

If ever there were a people who could lay claim to the title of history’s greatest victims, it just might be the Armenians. They survived the Ottoman Empire’s systemic campaign of genocide and endured oppression in the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Iran. Yet, instead of wallowing in self-pity or lashing out in violence, the Petrosyan family just wants to be left alone. Nevertheless, they must prove their oppressed status during an asylum hearing in Mark Freiburger’s Between Borders, which releases today on VOD.

Ivan Petrosyan is a literal rocket science who works for the Soviet space program. His wife Violetta is a school principal. Yet, despite their advanced education, they never feel comfortable in their Azerbaijani society, outside their Armenian enclave. Even though the Soviet Union still technically exists, it is too preoccupied with its own collapse to care about reignited tensions over Nagorno-Karabakh. The Petrosyans have been through this before, expecting the evil imperial government would oncde again tamp down hostilities. However, this time is different.

First, they lose their jobs. Then their neighbors are killed in cold blood. That snaps them out of their denial, so they join Violetta’s parents in Russia. Technically, the Russian government accepts them, but Russian is openly hostile, especially the corrupt cops. However, her parents’ church, with the support of their American benefactors, offer the Petrosyans crucial material and spiritual support. In fact, they are so struck by the Chruch’s generosity, their faith slowly switches from Communism to Christianity.

Yes, this is basically a faith-based film, but it is an unusually competent one. The message is rarely in viewers faces. Yet, somewhat unexpectedly, one of the film’s greatest, most genuinely touching scene focuses on Duane, an American volunteer, who explains to Ivan how he seeks to serve as a means of honoring his late wife. Seriously, this is a no-dry-eyes scene that Stelio Savante absolutely nails.

Similarly, Patrick Sabongui has a nearly equivalent monologue that pays tribute to the Armenian people’s resiliency, in a rather ironic context, daring Russian thugs to bring it on. The writing from screenwriters Freiburger, Isaac Norris, and Adam Sjoberg is really sharp here. The rest of the film is conventionally plotted, holding few real surprises, but the standout moments really pop—and truly define the film.

It is also cool to see Michael Paul Chan from The Goonies and The Closer/Major Crimes literally holding court as the presiding Judge. Everyone came to Between Borders with achingly good intentions, but the solid cast humanizes their characters well above mere symbols or cliches. It also cuts through the immigration debate against preconceived types, making an argument on behalf of beleaguered asylum-seekers with Evangelicals clearly in mind. The results deserve an audience beyond the target niche market. Recommended for its thoughtful presentation of faith, Between Borders releases today (3/4) on VOD.