The 39th International Film Festival Rotterdam will close Saturday February 6 with the world premiere of Dutch film The Aviatrix of Kazbek, second feature film by Ineke Smits. The film, written by Dutch novelist Arthur Japin and produced by Isabella Films, stars among others Dutch actress Madelief Blanken, Georgian actor Zurab Jgenti, German actor Peter Lohmeyer and Romanian actress Anamaria Marinca from Cristian Mungiu’s Golden Palm winner 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days.
Marie is a girl who has a vivid imagination. On the flat island of Texel, she dreams about mountains and even collects pictures of them. She would rather like to do something with her life instead of marrying Paul, the beachcomber’s son. But, being the only girl in a big and poor family during war time, she doesn’t seem to have much of a choice. The relationships and positions are tightened even more by the reality of war. Marie tries to outlive this reality by dreaming. The sudden arrival of a regiment of Georgians stationed on the island cause a change. As soon as the Georgians Goga and Irakli are accommodated in the family, color, life and love enters Marie’s life. With Goga, Marie falls in love for the first time. On the island, the encounter of cultures leads to clashes and reconciliation, to misunderstandings and fraternization; to tragic, but also comic situations. When the Georgians revolt against the Germans, Marie takes the Georgians’ side.