Locarno Prizewinner ‘Holy Electricity’ Drops Trailer, Director Tato Kotetishvili Teases Next Project, a Docufiction Set on U.S.-Mexico Border (EXCLUSIVE)

As a cinephile who appreciates raw talent and authentic storytelling, I am utterly captivated by Tato Kotetishvili, the Georgian filmmaker whose life experiences seem to have woven themselves into his cinematic masterpieces. His latest project, an untitled docufiction about a family attempting an illegal entry into the U.S., promises to be another gripping tale that resonates deeply with the struggles and dreams of people everywhere.

Filmmaker Tato Kotetishvili, who recently won the Golden Leopard for his directorial debut “Holy Electricity” at the Locarno Film Festival, is now preparing his next project – a documentary-fiction film about a family attempting to illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border.

The director additionally unveiled a teaser for his award-winning first film, which will be screened this week as part of the competition at the Sarajevo Film Festival. Here is an exclusive sneak peek provided by EbMaster.

As a passionate cinephile, I eagerly anticipate the untitled film by the director who was once a masterful cinematographer. This captivating tale follows a Georgian family on their grueling, three-week trek across Latin America, with the dream of reaching America at the end. Interestingly, we’ll witness this journey through the innocent eyes of a child, as described by Kotetishvili, who isn’t preoccupied with the burdens of the past or worries about the future. Instead, their perspective will allow us to experience the journey in all its raw and unfiltered beauty.

As a cinephile with years of experience attending international film festivals, I have seen countless films that left me feeling indifferent or disappointed. However, “Holy Electricity,” directed by Kotetishvili and produced by Tekla Machavariani, is one of the rare exceptions. Having witnessed Georgian’s award-winning performance at Locarno, I was eager to see this movie, and it did not disappoint. The film played to a series of sold-out screenings at the prestigious Swiss festival, which speaks volumes about its quality.

Here’s an exclusive look at the trailer:

“In a scrappy yard, I stumbled upon a suitcase brimming with old crosses, which my clumsy cousins and I transformed into glowing neon crucifixes. We peddled them to the unsuspecting devout of Tbilisi, door-to-door. This offbeat journey, filled with humor, heartache, and life’s small moments, is as much about our attempts to repay a debt from gambling as it is an ode to the vibrant souls residing in the Georgian capital.”

During a quick layover between Locarno and Sarajevo, Kotetishvili conversed with EbMaster from Tbilisi. He mentioned that the movie was deeply influenced by his own nomadic lifestyle and professional journey, which often takes him to the outskirts of his home city. “There’s a strong correlation,” he explained. “I’m always intrigued by places, people. Whenever I travel, I seek characters and settings. At times, the locations themselves offer me the chance to film. I let my emotions guide me.”

“The ‘Holy Electricity’ production, largely spontaneous and featuring primarily untrained actors, showcases Kotetishvili’s knack for unearthing unique talent – a recurring aspect of his short films. The director shared that working with non-actors allows him to select individuals who embody their roles so deeply that they don’t need to act; instead, they can just naturally portray their characters on camera.”

As if destiny had planned it, I found myself working with Nikolo Ghviniashvili (Bart) and Nika Gongadze (Gonga) during the production of our film. My encounter with Ghviniashvili was a serendipitous one – we crossed paths while I was functioning as a cinematographer on a short documentary about Tbilisi’s LGBTQ community. Upon meeting him, I immediately recognized his exceptional talent and felt compelled to cast him in the role of Bart, a trans man and junk dealer who navigates life in the streets of Tbilisi. He spends his nights sleeping in a battered car and his days hustling on the city’s bustling streets, eagerly seeking to improve his circumstances and escape debt.

In my perspective as a movie reviewer, I found Gongadze to be an intriguing character in a separate documentary under production by the director’s friend. He was a tall, lean teenager with a unique charm, balancing his days studying clarinet at a music conservatory and his nights immersed in punk rock clubs. This versatile individual immediately caught my attention as someone who could significantly enrich the movie.

The incongruous physical appearances of the two actors on screen transformed into a genuine on-screen rapport, adding substantial appeal to “Holy Electricity.” Similarly, the quirky ensemble of local Tbilisi residents, whom Kotetishvili referred to as more than just set extras but as integral elements of the film, also contribute significantly to its allure.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve found myself captivated by a production that often uses real homes as sets. The residents of this city, adorned with countless neon crosses, showcase not just the deep-rooted faith that Bart and Gonga are eager to exploit, but also the dreams, disputes, and familial bonds that resonate within each individual, much like Kotetishvili, who dances to their own rhythm.

The current director aims to be the fourth filmmaker from Georgia to receive the highest accolade at Sarajevo, following in the footsteps of Elene Naveriani, who won Best Feature last year with her film “Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry.”

Kotetishvili stated that he believes there’s a strong link between Sarajevo and Georgian cinema, stemming from shared themes of people and their stories of endurance and self-discovery as they forge their unique identities.

The Sarajevo Film Festival runs Aug. 16 – 23.

2024-08-17 18:47

Locarno Prizewinner ‘Holy Electricity’ Drops Trailer, Director Tato Kotetishvili Teases Next Project, a Docufiction Set on U.S.-Mexico Border (EXCLUSIVE)

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