Mikhail Finogenov (Co-Producer), Merab Ninidze (Actor), Irakli Kvirikadze (Actor), Rezo Gigineishvili (Director, Screenwriter, Producer), Tina Dalakishvili (Actress),
Lasha Bughadze (Screenwriter), Ewa Puszczynska (Co-Producer), Moderation: Nikolaj Nikitin
The Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1983. Border guards are keeping an eye on a group of young Georgians who are enjoying a boisterous dip in the Black Sea. They are smoking cigarettes from the West and listening to the Beatles. They all long to lead independent, professional lives, free from the police state and their parental homes. The group includes doctors, actors, an aspirant for the orthodox priesthood, as well as Anna and Nika, who are about to marry. But their thoughts are all preoccupied by something else altogether: after the wedding they plan to board a scheduled flight in Tbilisi, hijack the aircraft at gunpoint and force the pilot to land in Turkey. Their fierce desire for freedom and an unfortunate chain of unexpected events lead to a national tragedy. A tense, atmospheric re-telling of the Tbilisi hijacking of 1983 depicting young Soviet citizens who see themselves crushed between the promise of Western culture and repressive Communist rule. The sensitive performances of the actors show just how their desperation leads to violence, and how their parents are left paralysed and helpless by an inhumane system.
by
Rezo Gigineishvili
Russian Federation / Georgia / Poland 2017
Georgian, Russian
103’ · Colour
Merab Ninidze (Levan)Darejan Kharshiladze (Nino)Tina Dalakishvili (Anna)Irakli Kvirikadze (Nika)Giga Datiashvili (Koka)Giorgi Grdzelidze (Sandro)George Tabidze (Oto)Giorgi Khurtsilava (Lasha)Vakhtang Chachanidze (Irakli)Ekaterine Kalatozishvili (Tamuna)
Born in Tbilisi, Georgia in 1982, he lives and works in Georgia and Russia. He studied at the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography in Moscow and is an established director of commercials who is now focusing on auteur cinema. His films, including the romantic comedy Love with Accent, have been big commercial hits in both Russia and Georgia.
Filmography2006 Heat 2008 Love with Accent 2015 No Borders 2017 Hostages
Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2017
Ink TV
20 Steps Production
Kinocompania Nebo
WestEnd Films