O Pai do Soldado

In the World War II, the peasant Giorgi Makharashvili (Sergo Zakariadze) receives a letter from his beloved soldier son Goderdzi, who is fighting in the front driving a tank, telling that he was shot in the shoulder and is recovering in a hospital in Dubovo. He leaves his wife and his grapes in Georgia and travels for a long time by train and wagon to reach the hospital. However, he learns that Goderdzi has been discharged and sent back to the front. Giorgi decides to head to Domidovo to seek out his son but he does not find him. He joins the Soviet Army to fight against the Germans expecting to find his son. Will he succeed in his search for Goderdzi?

"Jariskatsis mama", a.k.a. "The Father of a Soldier", is a touching and beautiful Georgian and Russian antiwar movie. The plot alternates funny moments with dramatic situations in an impressive environment of war. Sergo Zakariadze has a magnificent performance in the role of a family man that needs to see his "tall and handsome" son no matter the price; otherwise what will he say to his wife and friends? The heartbreaking conclusion of this little masterpiece is very sad but never corny. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "O Pai do Soldado" ("The Father of the Soldier")

A war film. like any other. because it is a film about basic, small, insignificant things of life. an admirable cinematography. and small, moving details from a long, hard way. it is not a history lesson, it is not a pledge for abstract virtues, it is not a sentimental story. it is only the map of a trip of a father from a Georgian village, to see his son . and it is enough. in same measure, it is the film of Sergo Zakaridze. who propose an unique Georgi, reflecting the feelings and the force and the vulnerability of every father. it is difficult to describe it. because it is a simple film. not the Soviet political vision about the Great War. not the looking for impress. only a story about an old man and his travels, his huge generosity and his sense of life. his wisdom. and this does it almost an experience. useful. refreshing. and essential to define the war not as event but as slice from an ordinary life.

Georgia is a little country with a population of 5 million people and its quite amazing, that we could produce such a great movies... (Unfortunately COULD is the key word here)

This is a touching story of a father who takes this long, sometimes very funny and at the same time very sad journey to find his son... his tall, handsome son...

maybe one have to know Georgia and people of Georgia to understand this movie and especially understand this old man...

And though I give credit to the director, I must admit the movie is great because of Sergo Zaqariadze... this is one of the best actors performances you can find... not only in post-soviet countries... I recommend to rent this movie as well, and maybe get a bit of Georgian Soul...

P.S. I don't see why it is recommended 'Ivanovo detstvo' (1962)... GREAT movie from GREAT TARKOVSKI... but nothing in common with 'Father of a Soldier'

it is one of my childhood films.a masterpiece by Rezo Chkheidze. a kind of miracle because, after years and years, it remains fresh, touching and impressive. a father in search of his son. a long way. a cruel war. and expressions of deep humanity. it is brilliant demonstration of great acting and a wise script. it is work of an extraordinary director. in same measure, it is proof of a special Eastern manner to discover and transform reality. because the subject is the love. for son, motherland, grapes, values, faith and the large circles of hope. sure, it is not unique. many Soviet films presents the war in different manners. but it is different because its team has huge courage to explore the heart of war in a form who escapes by ideological rules. it can be an answer to "Ivanovo detstvo" but , if you know more about this part of world it is not complicate to discover the traces of Georgian measure of things and facts.in same measure, it can be a variant for Otets i syn by Sergei Potepalov. but, in fact, it is only itself. because Giorgi Maharashvili remains

the signature of order , soft, correct order in a time without sense and measure. and the old song is the strong proof for that.

This movie is simply a masterpiece! Loving father searching his son,war,heavy atmosphere,music-all of this gives the film a unique charm, which is why we can freely call it Georgian Masterpiece.In addition to Rezo Chkheidze's direction,must be mentioned the great performance of Sergo Zakariadze-this is the main reason,why we love this film,i think. It is true that I am Georgian, and I was watching the film may be a little subjective, but I think this film is not only for Georgians, but for those,who knows what is war and losing your own son... I advise everyone to see this true Georgian classic, which gives the viewer the unique emotions and forever endears itself.