Dede
Mariam Khatchvani| Director | Mariam Khatchvani |
| Writer | Mariam Khatchvani, Vladimer Katcharava, Irakli Solomanashvili |
| Cast | George Babluani, Natia Vibliani, Girshel Tchelidze, Nukri Khatchvani, Mose Khatchvani |
| Editor | Levan Kukhashvili |
| Camera | Konstantin Esadze |
| Music | Tako Jordania, Mate Chamgeliani |
| Producer | Vladimer Katcharava - 20 Steps Productions; Sam Taylor, Mike Downey - F&ME, Igor A. Nola - MP Film Production, Montauk Film Production, JaJa Film Productions, Dutch Film Club |
| Year | 2017 |
| Length | 97 min |
| Country | Georgia/Qatar/Ireland/Netherlands/Croatia |
| Subtitles | English |
| Section | EXCITING, CURRENT CINEMA |
| Screening | Thu 8 November | 19:15 hours | Filmhuis Den Haag Sat 10 November | 21:15 hours | Filmhuis Den Haag |
An outstanding cinematic piece and authentic story of woman’s restless fight for freedom set in the deep Caucasus Mountains. Screenings will be followed by Q&A with the actor Natia Vibliani.
Synopsis
It’s 1992. Young Dina lives in a remote mountain village where life is strictly governed by centuries of tradition. Dina’s grandfather has promised her to David, who is returning from the war. But with him comes a comrade-in-arms, the handsome Gegi, and Dina falls in love. Is it possible to defy the firmly established order? A fascinating debut by Mariam Khatchvani set in the Svaneti region, her birthplace in the historical Georgian highland protected by UNESCO. Inspired by the story of her grandmother, the director wanted to retain a palpable sense of authenticity and show a way of life that has not been seen on film before. Except one professional actor on set, she engaged local people speaking endangered language. Khatchvani exposed the sever customs deeply rooted in her community following the rhythm of four seasons as the climate conditions also determine the pattern of human behaviour.
Festivals & Awards (selection)
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, 2017 – East of the West Special Jury Prize | Asia Pacific Screen Awards, 2017 – Cultural Diversity Award under the patronage of UNESCO | CINEMED, International Mediterranean Film Festival Montpellier, 2017 – Audience Award | Batumi International ArtHouse Film Festival, 2017 – Special Mention | Tofifest International Film Festival, 2017 – Best Director | Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, USA 2017 – Production Award | Beijing International Film Festival, 2018 – Best Cinematography, Best Director | LET’S CEE Film Festival, 2018 – Audience Award | Eurasia International Film Festival, 2018 – Special Jury Award
Director's statement
Working with natives in my birthplace has enriched the filmmaking experience and helped make the film that I wanted to make. It’s something of a paradise there, and this is the reason why the locals don’t leave this place, even though life can be difficult. And this is certainly the case for the character of Dina – she is a woman who finds her life dictated by the weight of tradition, but who is deeply rooted in her community nonetheless. For me to tell this story is very important because the severe custom, traditions has caused a number of human dramas and even tragedies, which specially harmed women and I want to tell about them to show that this kind of things should not exist in our lives anymore.