In a neo-realistic style, the dreamy boy Susa is followed in today's Georgia. His mother's illegal vodka trade takes him to the grubbiest corners of the city. Waiting for his father to return fills his heart with hope.
Somewhere in a dreary suburb of a Georgian city lives 12-year-old Susa with his mother, who runs an illegal vodka shop. Every day, Susa tours sinister cafes and back streets to deliver orders and collect money. Any moment, his mother assures him, his father could come home and then everything would be returned to normal, the way it used to be. According to the director, Rusudan Pirveli (1975), the story of Susa is based on fact and is common in today's Georgia. In a style reminiscent of Italian neo-realism, we follow the doomed life of the young dreamer; Susa is lonely and naive, yet also inventive - he doesn't give up hope. This film, which has its world premiere during the festival, has been supported by Hubert Bals Fund.
PROGRAMMER NOTES
The main character of this film is played by Avtandil Tetradze, who has had no previous acting experience. A lucky choice for director Rusudan Pirvelli, who guides this natural talent smoothly throughout the film. She also manages to avoid either tearjerker scenes or clichés. In my opinion, we may speak about a slow but steady revival of (traditionally once so strong and well known) Georgian cinema. Another young Georgian filmmaker, Levan Koguashvili and his film Street Days, has been included in the Tiger Award Competition this year. A new generation of men and women share opinions. Very often, they reflect on the country’s recent history but they also come up with new themes. We are also seeing this new development at the Hubert Bals Fund - there having been many applications ; some of them have received grants.
LC