Films about Tbilisi, Part 1

In this two-part series we will offer you five films that best depict old and new Tbilisi: the streets, human relationships, problems of its citizens, and their ideas. The first film recommendation we have for you was directed by Armenian Sergo Parajanov who lived and worked in Georgia, and which tells the story of ethnic Armenian poet living in Georgia, Sayat Nova.

The Color of Pomegranates / 1968

Director: Sergei Parajanov

Starring: Sopiko Chiaureli, Melkon Alekyan, Vilen Galstyan, Giorgi Gegechkori, Spartak Bagashvili, Medea Japaridze

Genre: Drama, Biograpy, Music

The film reveals the life of ethnic Armenian poet, singer and troubadour, Sayat Nova, who lived and worked in Georgia. It tells the story of the poet’s childhood, first love, old age and death. These events are depicted in the context of images from Parajanov’s imagination and Sayat Nova’s poems. Sopiko Chiaureli plays six roles, both female and male, and Parajanov takes part in almost every aspect of the film. “The Color of Pomegranates” was acclaimed as a masterpiece by Federico Fellini, Jean-Luc Godard and Michelangelo Antonioni. Nevertheless, the Soviet state banned its screenings and Parajanov was sentenced to five years in a hard labor camp in 1973. Nowadays, The Color of Pomegranates is regarded as one of the best works of the 20th century, together with Kalatozov’s Jim Shvante (Salt for Svanetia, 1930).

Tbilisi, I Love You / 2014

Directors: Nika Agiashvili, Irakli Chkhikvadze, Levan Glonti, Aleksandre Kviria, Tako Shavgulidze, others.

Starring: Ia Sukhitashvili, Nutsa Kukhianidze, Giorgi Kipshidze, Ron Perlman, Malcolm Mcdowell, Sara Deaumon, etc.

The film “Tbilisi, I Love You” is part of Cities of Love franchise (concept by Emmanuel Benbihy) that started with the film “Paris, Je t’aime,” released in 2006 and which became one of the most commercially profitable films in the series.

“Tbilisi, I Love You” unites ten different novels and is a collection of various stories written and directed by natives of Tbilisi. We see the familiar city, recognized views, relationships that we are used to and real characters and stories. The world premier took place on 20th February 2014 and received the praise of critics. “Tbilisi, I Love You” was nominated at numerous international film festivals and Georgian audiences had the chance see the film in movie theatres.

Check out the next three recommended “Tbilisi” films in next week’s Georgia Today.

Tsiko Inauri/Focus magazine