Hrayr Toukhanian
BY MITCH KEHETIAN
DETROIT, Mich.—In his lifetime as a print photographer and film producer Hrayr Toukhanian has earned an impressive list of awards and tributes for pursuing a dedication that took birth in Lebanon.
Now 83, the Beirut born Toukhanian still receives tributes for past accomplishments and his continuing service to the entire Armenian community.
Most recently the Tekeyan Cultural Association honored Toukhanian with a symbolic award for having directed and produced the historic film ‘Assignment Berlin’ that relived the 1923 assassination of Talaat Pasha, the notorious Turkish official who plotted the massacre of more than 1.5 million Armenians in the haunting years of 1915-23.
Soghomon Tehlirian
In recognizing Toukhanian for his dedicated services to the Armenian cause for justice, Edmond Azadian, the newly elected president of the national Tekeyan association, said “tonight we honor a talented man for his professional talent and dedication we emphasize for the pioneering venture in perpetuating Soghomon Tehlirian’s immortal deed and serving the entire Armenian community without any distinction.”
Joining Azadian in bestowing tributes “to a fellow Vanetzi” was Vaughn Mesropian, national executive of the Vasbouragan Society of America, who stressed “this latest tribute from the community is for a beloved Vanetzi who serves the Armenian cause as his priority in life. We thank his mentors and parted love ones.”
In relating his latest accolade my friend emphasizes that the 1982 filming of ‘Assignment Berlin’ was achieved with the talent of his late wife Sona , a Syracuse University graduate who drafted the script of the movie.
Then Governer of Michigan William Milliken honored Toukhanian with an executive proclamation praised the film director for having shot the entire movie in Michigan. Scenes of ‘Assignment Berlin’ were filmed in old German sections of Detroit, its suburbs and the reenactment of Tehlirian’s trial in the historic Masonic Temple.
Then noted television actor Eddie Mekka portrayed Tehlirian in the dramatic film, the first of its kind to be shown publically on the silver screen.
When we asked Hrayr about his mentors in life, he responded: “My father for teaching me the skills of photography. He was one of the best in Beirut. And Simon Vratzian, my teacher at the Beirut Djemaran School who instilled my pride at being an Armenian.”
Vratzian was prime minister of the May 28, 1918 Armenian republic. “To us, he was more than a teacher. He was the godfather of our ARF youth group,” Toukhanian said.
In addition to a lengthy list of awards the founder of MUSE Productions earned in his lifetime, Toukhanian was awarded gold medals in the New York and Florence, Italy film festivals.
But for Hrayr the filming of ‘Assignment Berlin’ was a personal triumph knowing that the film dealt with the Armenian cause for justice.
Mitch Kehetian is a retired editor of the Macomb Daily and former governing board trustee at Central Michigan University.
Source: Asbarez
Link: Telling Tehlirian’s Story: ‘Assignment Berlin’ Director Hrayr Toukhanian Honored
