An animated documentary titled "Aurora – L'étoile arménienne" chronicles the survival of Archalouïs Mardikian, a victim of the Armenian genocide [1].

The film uses animation to preserve the history of a survivor's odyssey and her unexpected transition from a refugee to a performer in the early American film industry. By highlighting Mardikian's life, the production aims to educate audiences about the systemic violence of the Ottoman Empire while illustrating the strength of the human instinct for survival [1], [2].

Mardikian was 14 years old [1] when the Ottoman Empire began the systematic deportation, starvation, and massacre of its Armenian population in April 1915 [1]. The genocide took place across the empire, including the city of Tchimic [2].

Following her escape from the atrocities, Mardikian eventually reached the U.S. In 1918 [1], she worked in Hollywood, where she played her own role on screen [1].

ARTE, the platform hosting the documentary, said the project uses the magic of animation to tell the story of a survivor with a formidable instinct for survival [1]. The production serves as a historical record of the atrocities committed during World War I [1].

The documentary is currently available for replay on ARTE's platform until Sept. 21, 2026 [1].

“The film follows a rescapée du génocide des Arméniens au formidable instinct de survie.”

The use of animation to document the 1915 genocide allows for the reconstruction of historical events where traditional archival footage may be missing. By linking the trauma of the Ottoman Empire's massacres to Mardikian's subsequent work in the U.S., the film contextualizes the Armenian diaspora's early contributions to American culture and the enduring nature of historical trauma.