Georgian Movies to Watch Set in the Former Soviet Union
Georgian cinema - a big part of Georgian culture originates in the early twentieth century and spans more than 100 years of existence. The birth date of Georgian cinema is considered to be 1908, when Vasil Amashukeli started making films in Baku.
The first film screening on the territory of Georgia was held on November 16, 1896 by the Lumiere Brothers Cinema. Tbilisi is only a few months behind Paris and the capital of the Russian Empire, St. Petersburg, where the first film was shown in May of the same year.
By 1907, new cinemas were built in Tbilisi: "Muza", "Apollo", "Colosseum", "Lira", "Minion", "Cinema-Disc" and others. They were often called projectors or electric theaters. The first electric theater was "Apollo". In the following years the number of cinemas increased.
A new wave of directors has appeared in Georgia since the 60s. The 60s and 70s are a period of revival of Georgian cinema. Eldar Shengelaia, Giorgi Shengelaia, Otar Ioseliani, Merab Kokochashvili and others were actively filming at that time.
Here are some of the Georgian movies you can watch:
The Wishing Tree (1977)
The Wishing Tree is set in a pre-Revolutionary Georgian village, where at that time they had their own rules and prejudices that were the law. Even though a man and a woman are equal in their society, Abuladze brings an academic meaning to it. He makes it clear that having privilege does not mean you may take advantage of it.
Melodies of the Vera Quarter (1973)
Directed by Giorgi Shengelaya, this dynamic musical stars Sofiko Chiaureli, the much-loved Georgian actress, thought to be Sergei Parajanov’s muse. It details a young laundress’ determination to help two poor and talented girls attend ballet school. The vibrant musical numbers that underpin the plot are distinctly Georgian and draw from the nation’s rich musical tradition.
Father of a Soldier (1964)
Directed by Rezo Chkheidze, the film is about an old man visiting his wounded son in a hospital, but it turns out that he's already been released and is back on the front lines. Reluctant to return home empty-handed, he tries to follow and find him.
Blue Mountains, Or Unbelievable Story (1983)
Eldar Shengelaia’s film tells a story about an author - a passive young man that enters the Soviet-controlled bureaucracy of Georgia attempting to get his novel published only to be neglected and compartmentalized at every turn.
Repentance (1984)
Varlam, the despotic mayor of a small town, dies. After his funeral, his body is repeatedly unearthed and buried again. Through flashbacks and dreamlike scenes, we witness his rise, power and ambiguities.The film is directed by Tengiz Abuladze.
