Mdzevlebi

It is a special film. Superficial, at the first sigh, maybe only a sketch but perfect for remind the realities unde Soviet regime. A special virtue Avtandil Makharadye as Shota . And the fine portraits of the characters. It is not easy to explain the roots and the desire and the needs of the young people looking for be in Occident. But the realism of acting gives many clues. Without explain < proposing only pieces for define, in fair and delicate manner, the enthusiasm and adrenaline , the mistakes as result of panic and fear and absence of experience, the sufferance of parents, the need to understand of a mother. Yes, it is inspired by a real case, one from many results of desperation behind Iron Courtain. But it has , in same measure, status of warning and hommage and manifesto. Its aspect of sketch is its main virtue because things like thant are only imagenated and feeled.

A good story, but not very well acted. Besides, why would they hijack a plane from Tbilisi to Batumi within the boundaries of the same country if the ultimate aim was to escape the country itself? Why didn't they take the bus or drive, which would solve things peacefully? The movie should have told the reason behind this.

The film Hostages (Mdzevlebi) directed by the young Georgian director Rezo Gigineishvili was shown at the Berlinale in the Panorama section. It is based on the true events of a plane hijacking in 1983 by a group of youngsters belonging to the artistic elite of Georgia. The hijacking resulted in multiple casualties and all hijackers, except the woman, were executed. After the USSR dissolved, the participants of these events were sometimes romanticized and represented as heroic martyrs.

The film leaves a strong impression and leaves room for thought. The closing sentence of the film – " In 1991 the freedom of movement was finally granted" – is something completely unnecessary; first of all this is common knowledge and secondly the lack of freedom of movement cannot be an excuse or explanation for the atrocities depicted in the film.

The film does not offer answers and does not explain motivation of horrific actions of hijackers, however it poses some profound questions, which is also important, especially as this event is still shrouded in mystery. The picture filmed in minimalistic style and is made in an almost documentary fashion, it is tense and grips the viewer all the way through.

Read more at: http://indie-cinema.com/2017/02/hostages/

It is one of films coherent, maybe, only for the Eastern Europeans . Because the story is far to be a comfortable one , it seems only a sketch, the simpathy for young people looking for freedom becomes in conflict with the victims. For many reasons, a manifesto. About an age, so unique, against dictatorship, about fear and unpredictable reactions, about a wedding and a too fragil plan of escape. One of the virtues - the presence of Avtandil Maharadze in one of secondary roles.

I can't deny the technical strengths of the film. The film is well done. The performances across the board are strong, the cinematography gripping and effective for the kind of story being told, and the screenplay never feels exploitative. However, it's not exactly an enjoyable film to watch. I definitely do recommend it as a piece of filmmaking, but it's one that's hard to love. Still, one can't deny the impact the film has. I think the mysterious incident at the core of it does cloud it in mystery, and the film rightfully doesn't want to give easy answers or excuses for the behaviors shown.