Description

This historical epic by Nikoloz Shengelaia, one of the great early figures in Georgian cinema, evokes the tragic fate of a nation pacified in 1864 by the Tsarist Russian Empire. When authorities begin to appropriate fertile land, the peasants are forced to evacuate under terrible conditions. The narrative concerns the beautiful Eliso in the village of Verdi, whose tragic love for Vazho is encumbered by their different class and religion. Yet, the most overwhelming aspect of this cherished classic is its depiction of the majestic landscape and deep-rooted traditions of the Georgian people.*


*(from MoMA’s Discovering Georgian Cinema programme curated by Jytte Jensen)