Grandma’s Tattoos (2011)

In 1915, during the Armenian Genocide, thousands of women—mostly teenagers and young girls—endured unimaginable suffering. They survived the horrors of war, only to face a different kind of torment: forced prostitution by their captors. Grandma’s Tattoos, directed by Suzanne Khardalian, sheds light on their forgotten stories.

The film takes us back to the aftermath of World War I. In 1919, the Allied forces rescued 90,819 Armenian young girls and children who had been coerced into prostitution during the war. These women had either resorted to this desperate measure to survive or had given birth to children after forced or arranged marriages or rape. Their bodies bore permanent marks—the tattoos that signified their status as abductees.

The documentary delves into the lives of these women, revealing their resilience and the trauma they endured. European and American missionaries played a crucial role in organizing aid and saving thousands of refugees. These survivors were scattered across the globe, finding refuge in places like Beirut, Marseille, and Fresno.

Grandma’s Tattoos is a poignant family story, intertwining personal narratives with historical events. It exposes the dark chapter of Armenian women’s lives during the genocide, emphasizing their strength and resilience. The tattoos etched on their skin serve as both a haunting reminder and a testament to their survival.

The film premiered at the prestigious International Documentary Film Festival in Amsterdam and later aired on Al Jazeera English, reaching a wide audience. Through powerful storytelling and historical context, Grandma’s Tattoos honors the forgotten women who endured unimaginable hardships and emerged as symbols of resilience and hope.