
WithoutGorkyisapersonaljourneyintoapowerfulfamilytragedy.Atthecentreofthefilmaretheconversationsbetweenthedirector,Cosima,andhergrandmother,Mougouch.ThewholefamilyhasbeenshapedbythelegacyleftbyCosima'sgrandfather:theAbstractExpressionistpainterArshileGorky.Hissuicidein1948stillechoesanddisturbsthefamily'srelationships.WhileMougouch,looksbackathertimewithGorky,theirdaughters,MaroandNatasha,revisitpainfulchildhoodmemories.GorkywasanelusivecharacterwhoescapedtheArmeniangenocideandreinventedhimselfasaromanticartistinNewYorkinthe30s.HestruggledasapainteruntilhefoundinMougouchtheemotionalsupportheneededtoflourish.Theirrelationshipwaspassionateandinspiringtobeginwith,butthepressureoftwosmallchildrenandnomoneysoonputahugestrainonthem.In1947hewasstruckbyaseriesoftragediesthatledtosuicide.Thisfilmtakesyouthroughthepainandcourageofthefamily,comingtoanemotionalclimaxinGorky'sbirthplace:LakeVan,formerArmenia.<br/> —CosimaSpender
