As a cinephile with a penchant for discovering hidden gems, I am thrilled to witness the extraordinary journey of Tekla Machavariani and her production company Nushi Film. This Georgian powerhouse is not just producing films, but nurturing a new generation of storytellers who are as diverse as they are talented.
Georgia’s filmmaker Tekla Machavariani, attending the Locarno Film Festival this week for the global debut of “Holy Electricity” directed by Tato Kotetishvili (screened in the Filmmakers of the Present section), has announced a lineup of upcoming projects at her production company Nushi Film based in Tbilisi.
One of the productions is a joint Georgian-Japanese effort, a film that draws inspiration from the violent Georgian Civil War of the early ’90s and portrays the hip-hop culture of the 2000s in the crime-ridden streets of Tbilisi.
As a passionate cinephile, when I established my company back in 2015, my primary aim was to collaborate with friends who were my constant sources of inspiration. They were the ones who nurtured my love for cinema. To me, it’s not just about creating Georgian films; it’s about growing alongside directors who share this journey with me. We begin with short films and then, gradually, we embark on this cinematic adventure together.
Titled “The Dog is Barking,” this ambitious first feature film by Georgian contemporary artist Vajiko Chachkhiani represents a groundbreaking co-production between Georgia, a former Soviet Republic, and Japan. Notably, renowned Japanese screenwriter Sakichi Sato, known for penning the cult classic “Ichi the Killer” by Takashi Miike, is involved in the project. Additionally, cinematographer Kôichi Furuya, who worked on Sabu’s Berlinale premiere “Mr. Long,” has also joined the team. Japanese producer Tomo Suzuki, who has collaborated with Apichatpong Weerasethakul, and German production company Color of May are also on board for this film.
The image is introduced as the initial part of a three-part “labor-themed horror” series, designed to create a unique cinematic style focusing on labor concerns, blending aspects of social drama, tension, and fear. It represents another phase in Chachkhiani and Machavariani’s ongoing partnership, which spans eight short films; however, the producer noted that this project will be the first to emphasize a more story-oriented approach for the artist’s work.
Starting next year in 2025, I’m thrilled about a film project that will predominantly be filmed in Georgia, with a few select scenes captured in Japan. As Machavariani shared, this unique collaboration between our two nations is an unexpected yet fitting partnership.
“She pointed out that while Japanese and Georgian cultures differ significantly, they share a deep respect for their respective traditions. She expressed this unique combination of differences and similarities as something she aims to capture in her movie.”
Tamar Shavgulidze’s third film, titled “Vika,” serves as a sequel to her 2019 debut “Comets,” produced by Machavariani. This new project brings Nushi Film together with GoGoFilm of Holland, who were also involved in the production of “Holy Electricity.” The story revolves around Vika, a 27-year-old basketball player who, along with her husband, escapes their war-ravaged hometown following an invasion. As they join other refugees, they embark on a difficult journey through the treacherous Caucasus Mountains. When Vika’s destiny takes a sinister and unforeseen turn during their arduous voyage, she faces a heart-wrenching decision.
Machavariani referred to “Vika” as her personal endeavor, a narrative delving into a particularly challenging period in recent Georgian history, yet offering a tale of resilience and optimism. She stated, “It’s a deeply human story.” For Machavariani, the significance of Tamar’s films lies in the recurring theme that…you always witness that love is paramount, and how love can provide the power to shift mountains.
To conclude, Machavariani is working on a Georgian-French collaboration titled “Milk & Honey,” which will be directed by Tornike Gogrichiani for a summer 2025 filming start. This project has obtained development funding from the Ciclic fund in France and features French producer Johann Chapelan as part of its team.
In the early 2000s, amidst the crime-plagued streets of Tbilisi, the movie “Milk & Honey” unfolds, detailing the journey of a high school student who grapples with love, hip-hop, self-identity, family, and friendship while trying to make his mark in a harsh, masculine society. As Machavariani explains, it mirrors our childhood experiences but also sheds light on why we are as we are today – due to the hardships we endured. Essentially, this film is a look back at our childhood and an attempt to comprehend how we came to be where we are now.
Next week, I’ll be showcasing my directorial debut, “Holy Electricity,” at the Sarajevo Film Festival, following its premiere at Locarno. As a seasoned Georgian cinematographer, I had the privilege to shoot and co-write this film with Irine Jordania and Nutsa Tsikaridze. The story revolves around two luckless cousins who stumble upon a box of rusty crosses in a junkyard and decide to transform them into vibrant neon crucifixes, peddling them to the trusting faithful of Tbilisi.
The movie was made by Kotetishvili and Machavariani, with additional production involvement from Ineke Smits, Ineke Kanters, Lisette Kelder, Guka Rcheulishvili, and Marisha Urushadze, for GoGoFilm, The Film Kitchen, and Arrebato Films.
Following a string of successful screenings in Locarno, Machavariani couldn’t help but sing Kotetishvili’s praises. “He’s not just an intriguing cinematographer,” she expressed, “but also a director with a unique perspective. His work is instantly recognizable, and the blend of humor and humanity he possesses is quite exceptional.”
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2024-08-14 16:17