La chasse aux papillons

I find it very hard to put my admiration for this movie and its director into words. It's one of those rare films that stick in your mind forever. The characters are seen from a distance, as if through the wrong end of a telescope, and the story does not rely on dialogue, or drama. The effect reminds me of Jaques Tati's work. The story is treated with warmth, mild irony, and a keen eye for detail, yet it's hard to pinpoint it as a "story".

"History" might be a better word; the director's point of view is that of an empathic historian. An exploding train is just that: "the train exploded". Russian households are characterized by doors swinging open and drunken husbands being thrown out. The full moon, shining bright, is covered in clouds. My favorite character is the busy old lady.

Please go see this film on video, and tell your friends about it if it pleases you.

I was born in Georgia and just discovered the wonderful director who have made this movie, what an experience! Amazing, timeless picture with subtle nuances, authentic characters and strong, interesting story. It's not for everybody, you need to be relaxed to enjoy how events are unfolding and it leaves a very bittersweet aftertaste in the end, but it's a very remarkable movie. I won't spoil it, but one of the creative solutions, although quite simply done cinematic-wise, was a final icing on the cake for me and elevated the movie even higher. Small details matter and some of the could be treated as symbolic too, in my opinion. Although the storytelling is fluent and most of the events are packed closer to the ending of the movie, the earlier part of the movie will reward attentive viewer with warmth.

This one of the few movies I've seen that improves with each viewing (4, in my case). It is enigmatic and subtle, but manages to be entertaining and, at times, laugh out loud funny. The acting is superb (particularly the "busy old lady" as the previous poster calls her) and the cinematography first-rate. Iosseliani manages to lampoon both European capitalism and his own Russian culture but he does so in a gentle, almost loving manner. I hate to see this film slide into obscurity; it is an important work with a timeless and relevant message. A feast for the eyes and the soul. I want to advertise it on a blinking billboard, but Iosseliani would probably wag his finger at me... Should be watched with a glass of fine wine.