Le Sel de Svanétie

"Salt for Svantia" is an early film by Mikhail Kalatozov about the isolated people of Svanetia in the Northwest of Georgia. It was made in the early days of Communism and the purpose of the film was to integrate all the local peoples in the great Union of Soviet Republics.

Just as Sergei Eisenstein in "Old and new" (1929), Kalatozov didn't manage to suppress his creative ability's enough in making this propaganda movie. He was severely punished for this and his next noteworthy film happened to be "The cranes are flying" (1957), during the relatively liberal Chroesjtsjov years. After Brezhnev came to power Kalatozov was able to make a film that was creative and propaganda at the same time with "Soy Cuba"" (1964).

Just like in "Old and new" the most amazing thing from "Salt for Svanetia" are the extreme close ups of mostly old and worn out (but very intriguing) faces. You almost start to think that Eisenstein and Kalatozov were aware of "La passion de Jeanne d'Arc" (1928, Carl Theodor Dreyer).

Opening on text exposition and a map to pin point the location of the documentary, 'Salt for Svanetia' seeks to show the cold, desolate, isolated world of the villagers of the remote mountain village of Svanetia. The director goes to great lengths to showcase this village and its villagers as lonely and isolated in the first shots of the film. The film also carries a strong communist message, describing the village's need once for guard towers to protect against the cruel monarchy, and the good that the new communist government is doing for these villagers. The film rests much of its documentary stylization on the ideas described by the members of 'KinoEye,' with pseudo naturalistic shots that seems to show impossible scenes, such as directly down the barrel of a gun mid-conflict, and the entire saga of men going up a mountain and being caught in an avalanche. These scenes seem to use staging and much pre planning to create the necessary effect for the thesis of the film, which seems to be that this village's suffering is due to remoteness, a struggle that roads built by the new government will solve. 'Salt for Svanetia' is nothing like current documentaries, and thusly the story must follow a different structure and pattern. The theme is conveyed through both inter title cards and the kinetic shots and editing used to show urgency and danger within the film. Using montage techniques, unrelated shots are frequently put together to add to the story and support the thesis. The use of montage frequently takes the audience through the unfamiliar rituals and habits of the town, such as sheep shearing, hat making, and funeral rites. The way it is formatted and cut together makes the film feel both educational as well as subjectively pointed, especially with the message of how this village's struggle for salt to survive can be helped. Overall, it is beautifully filmed and the choice of shots helps to create and convey an idea of a desperate, isolated peoples that might only be saved by a new government.

Deep in the Caucasian mountains is the region of Svanetia; cut off from civilization by mountains and glaciers. They have snow 8 months out of the year on their mountain pass and thus the Ushkul tribe has remained isolated for centuries, maintaining almost intact their customs and traditions.

"Jim Shvante" ( Salt For Svanetia ) (1930) was directed by Herr Mikhail Kalatozov and certainly is a brilliant, astonishing Soviet film masterpiece that must be watched by any worthy silent film fan.

The film is a semi-documentary about the Ushkul tribe, and their harsh conditions of life in their isolated region. Naturally the communists come to the rescue and provide a brilliant economic plan that brings the region into the twentieth century but of course their way of living and religion must go in the name of progress. It seems that Georgian film directors like Herr Kalatozov (who began his career as a cameraman), had a special fondness for documentaries, giving this film format an excellent opportunity to depict the special idiosyncrasies of the Georgian country.

"Jim Shvante" makes brilliant use of the camera and has man inventive technical tricks. Of course this is all in the service of propaganda but is aesthetically exciting Every shot in the picture is full of epic atmosphere and of course we have the contrast of Soviet progress and modernity (lots of close-ups of machinery and collective human efforts) with the underdevelopment of the Svans who are being held back by their religion and customs. The film is an inventive mixture of symbolism, ethnography and propaganda.

And now, if you'll allow me, I must temporarily take my leave because this German Count must continue his aristocratic isolation from the modern world.

Herr Graf Ferdinand Von Galitzien http://ferdinandvongalitzien.blogspot.com/

Kalatozov's Salt For Svanetia opens with a quote from Vladimir Lenin, and any questions as to whether it is a homage to the late leader or an indication of the content to come are quickly answered. The film centers on the Svanetian people in the village of Ushkul, and they are portrayed as culturally backwards and simple people, ruled by religious superstition and the limits of technology. While the portrayal of the Svans seems perhaps a little unfair, the depiction is done impeccably. Techniques Kalatozov uses are the same shots and angles that contemporary documentary filmmakers use; views look down from high mountain passes and from unorthodox ground angles that look up into the faces of people and animals alike. One is overtaken with the beauty of the region, but it is depicted harshly. The environment may be picturesque, but it is dangerous.In this treacherous existence, religion dominates and Kalatozov ensures to cast it in a negative light. The funeral for fallen workers after the avalanche is uncomfortable and ritualistic; scenes of villagers running and falling into the grave doesn't take on any chilling spirituality, it only seems to depict the desperation of the Svans' religion. With this, the film aligns with Soviet doctrine. After depicting hardship for much of the film, the last few propagandistic minutes seem like an afterthought. It emphasizes the power and freedom communism brings, explicitly stating "for the Svans, for the communists, there are no obstacles". It seems like a weak and kitschy ending, and the line "our economic plan is stronger than old religion and customs" drives the point home even more obviously. This film, appeasements aside, is a fascinating depiction of rural life, and its informative pace is hypnotic (regardless of whether or not that information is fully factual).

So what if it's pure Soviet propaganda...Salt of Svanetia is an amazing looking piece of work that chronicles the hardness of life in the post-Revolutionary expanses of the USSR. There are images in this film you will never see anywhere else...of birth, of work, and of death...all presented bluntly, yet with exquisite artistry .