There Was, There Was Not review how four women's dreams are destroyed by the shock of war

"Shot in the now defunct republic of Artsakh, the film follows four extraordinary women who find their hopes and ambitions cruelly derailed by war. The breakaway state was formed in 1991, after decades of political discrimination under the Soviet Union and military conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. For the predominantly Armenian population here, their peace has always been under threat. The personal journeys of Mkrtichian's subjects feel even more remarkable in the face of these uncertainties."

"A judo champion, Sose aspires to represent her country at the Olympics; Siranush campaigns to be on the city council; and Gayane runs a support group for women. For those living in Artsakh, memories of the last war are more than a spectre; working in bomb disposal, Sveta defuses mines that are still lodged in the verdant landscape. Though their professions vary, they are all committed to bettering the community, a testament to the strong cultural bonds that exist here."

"Captured with dynamism and intimacy, their individual stories collide when war breaks out in 2020. As the Azerbaijani army closes in, the women's daily lives are disrupted by the sounds of sirens, and even explosions. Gayane and her family become displaced; they now live in Armenia as refugees. Sose, heartbreakingly, has to put her sports career on hold as she joins the military."

Shot in the now-defunct republic of Artsakh, the film follows four women whose ambitions are derailed by renewed war. A judo champion, Sose, aims for the Olympics but joins the military when conflict resumes. Siranush campaigns for city council and Gayane runs a women's support group; Gayane and her family become displaced and now live in Armenia as refugees. Sveta works in bomb disposal, defusing mines still lodged in the landscape. Their varied professions converge in community commitment, showing strong cultural bonds. Daily life is disrupted by sirens and explosions as the Azerbaijani army advances in 2020.

Read at www.theguardian.com