WILL THERE BE A THEATRE UP THERE?!

DOUBLE FEATURE
From behind a broken windowpane the man thoughtfully observes the woman and her two children. His expression, while detached, also betrays some familiarity with this episode from Kachki Kavsadze’s childhood, which the famous Georgian actor seemingly watches from outside. The director Nana Janelidze chose an old warehouse as the backdrop against which to stage chapters of Kavsadze family history amidst the confusion of World War II and Soviet rule. Self-reflection upon personal history in the form of dramatic theatre, the world as a stage (with hints of a variety show). After her husband is taken prisoner, the mother brings up her two children mainly alone. Any attempts to obtain the father’s release are futile. Most of the episodes have no dialogue. The words are delivered by Kavsadze who, by turns sad and happy, supplies the narrative, tells us stories, acts and sings. Janelidze combines Kavsadze’s stories with photographs contrasting sharply with the theatricality of the staged episodes but harmonizing with them all the same. The film is more than just a tribute to a renowned actor: it also portrays his country’s eventful history, since the substance of Kavsadze’s biography is representative of many Georgian lives.