Dges game utenebia (Day Is Longer Than Night)

A ballad in form, this film features breathtaking shots of nature at original locations in the mountains of Georgia, opulent folklore, folk poetry and ironic refractions. The landscape is just as powerful as the world history that forms the backdrop for the fate of the women in the film. Huge mountains, wide ridges, small villages: this is where the farmer's daughter Eva lives, who falls deeply in love with the shepherd Georgiy. But Eva's love is in danger and her life is determined by the turmoil of revolution, civil war, new economic policy and collectivisation. The film's episodes are commented on by travelling actors on a donkey cart (!) with folk songs, with songwriter Manana Menabde providing a great performance. And Gogoberidze's fascination for expressive faces shines through time and again, especially that of Darejan Kharshiladze (Eva). Day Is Longer Than Night screened in competition at Cannes in 1984. (Gaby Babić/Barbara Wurm)

Photo: Arsenal Berlin