Le Marchand

This short doc is incredibly sad/bleak at times but also fascinating and, I think, well shot. Some lovely scenes. And some harrowing one. A trader makes his leaving trading gems for potatoes and then selling the potatoes on later on (elsewhere). Everyone just trying to get by (but in abject poverty). I thought it was great. More than worthy of less than half an hour of my time.

This documentary offers a bleak look at poverty by following a trader and his work in the small villages of the Republic of Georgia. Although one could argue the style is slow and boring, it is employed to reflects the mundane, hard and dream-crushing nature of poverty and the villagers simple existence. The directors juxtaposition of the joy and childhood and the harsh reality of adulthood in these community creates a surprising emotional depth to the short documentary format.

Naturally it will not resonate with everyone with such a simple style and subject matter, but give it 23 minutes of your time and be pleasantly surprised.

The trader follows a trader in a small town in the Republic of Georgia, Selling objects for potatoes. This documentary was directed by Tamta Gabrichidze, this is his first film.

I didn't know what to expect when I turned this on. What i got was a small glimpse at poverty and the dreams that were crushed by the situation that these people are in. This documentary is only 23 minutes, so it doesn't exactly take time out someone's day, but it made me feel so lucky for what i have. the direction sutile but also beautiful. There are now overhead shot or narration. But there are beautiful stills and long takes, especially near the end.

If I was to nitpick though I found that somethings are lingered on a bit to much.

Otherwise watch this, It is defiantly worth 23 minutes of your life.

9/10

Film was an incredible glimpse of daily life in another region in the world. Very short, very ambiguous with almost no plot what so ever - yet it captivated me. I do wish it was longer.

22 minutes of putting your life in perspective.

Take your pick:

• The old lonely lady that just wanted a grater
• The eyes of amazement of 2 kids rifling through random objects
• The old man who just wanted to escape the village

These people will pull at your heart strings. Potatoes as a currency is something I had only ever heard of from Stalin-era Russia. I didn't realise this was still very much a way of life in rural areas of Georgia.

Great little documentary that could've easily been longer, albeit super depressing as it is.