Starring: Mzia Arabuli, Lucas Kankava, Deniz Dumanli
Director: Levan Akin
Country: Georgia
UK Distributor: MUBI
Swedish-Georgian director Levan Akin became a critical darling following the release of his debut international release And Then We Danced, a gay romance set in Tbilisi. Now, his sophomore film, again revolving around the LGBT+ Georgian diaspora (of which he is a part, has risen to similar heights, following its release at the Berlin International Film Festival and now its wider release worldwide.
Lia (Arabuli) is an unmarried retired teacher whose sister has recently died. Years before, her niece Tekla became estranged from the family in Georgia because she is trans. Now, Lia wants to be reunited with her only living relative and tracks her to her last known address, where she meets Achi (Kankava), her young former-neighbour who has an address for her in Istanbul. Together, they cross the border to look for Tekla but discover that looking for a lone person in such a big city is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Parallel, we meet Evrim (Dumanli), a trans activist living in Istanbul. To the Georgian pair it seems that Tekla has moved to Istanbul for a life of freedom and acceptance, but we see through Evrim that this is not the case. While she does have rights as a trans person, bureaucracy from the government makes her life very difficult. A doctor will not look at her as he completes her documents. Police officers will not accept her legal qualifications without the correct ID. She is fighting against a system that does not want to change.
The film’s ambiguous title could refer to any number of its narrative strands; the crossing of the border, Lia’s change of heart about her niece, Tekla’s gender transition. First and foremost, this is a film about absolution, with Lia literally on a journey toward what she hopes will be redemption. Like all good road-trip movies, it is the characters’ journey that’s more important than getting from A to B, but its locations certainly enrich the narrative, providing a fascinating peek behind the curtain of life in both Turkey’s urban underbelly and Georgia’s domestic life.
Once again, Akin has shone a light on life in the Caucasus. A compelling voice both for LGBT+ cinema and for Georgian people, this is a nuanced character portrait anchored by a trio of strong performances. While it might not pack the same emotional punch as its predecessor, this is a contemplative film from a now accomplished filmmaker.
UK Release: Out now to watch on VOD on MUBI
コメント