Renowned Director Levan Koguashvili Films the Story of the Gurians
In the picturesque region of Guria, a compelling new film is in the making. Levan Koguashvili, a Georgian director, is set to capture the unique story of the Gurians. The film follows the life of Zura, a widower nearing his 40s, who resides in Guria with his former mother-in-law and 16-year-old son. Zura grows hazelnuts and dreams of sending his son to study in Tbilisi with the proceeds. However, Zura's close friends, Gela, a minibus driver, and his former mother-in-law, believe that once the boy moves to the capital, Zura will be left alone, facing a solitary old age. To prevent this, they embark on a mission to find Zura a new wife, introducing him to potential candidates.
Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous 1990s, characterized by civil war, banditry, and power outages, the film explores whether Zura will find a new partner and form a new family. The film's narrative, crafted by Koguashvili along with Boris Frumin and renowned Georgian writer Giorgi Kekelidze, is inspired by Kekelidze's memoir, Gurian Diaries. This long-cherished project has been a passion for Koguashvili, whose deep connection to the region was sparked by Kekelidze’s vivid recollections of Guria and the 1990s.
In discussing the film, Koguashvili shares, "Since I started working in cinema, I always wanted to make a film in Guria. I don’t know why, as I am not a Gurian myself. My guide to Guria was Giorgi Kekelidze. I read his Gurian Diaries and was captivated by his memories, humor, and melancholy. I contacted Giorgi, and he proposed we visit Guria together. I followed him, spent significant time there, met people, and collected stories that became the foundation for this film's script."
The production of Guria has garnered international interest, with funding amounting to €850,000 from Switzerland, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, and Turkey. On why European producers were drawn to Guria, Koguashvili says, "They saw human warmth, relationships, and humor in the material. In these challenging times, when stress and problems abound, this is exactly what we need most."
The film has also attracted support from Georgian sponsors, including Bakhvi HPP. Giorgi Abramishvili, Director of Bakhvi HPP, comments, "The 1990s are associated with darkness and hardship. It's symbolic that even 30 years later, energy independence remains a critical issue in Georgia. Despite our past, we still have to fight to develop our renewable energy resources. We have grown to love Guria and its people, and supporting this film is a way to show our gratitude. We want to contribute to a film that will showcase the humor, nobility, and resilience of the Gurian people."
Filming in Guria is already in full swing, with completion expected by next spring. Koguashvili and Kekelidze aim for Guria to become a beloved national film, remembered and quoted by its audience.
Kekelidze reflects, "Working on the script has been a complex and dynamic process. Details constantly change, potentially affecting the entire narrative. We’ve been working on this for years, collecting stories from countless people. While only a few fragments from Gurian Diaries remain, and some from my unpublished books, the script is independently its own, rooted in the 1990s and focused on human struggle, survival, and triumph."
Koguashvili is confident that Guria has significant potential for international film festivals. The film has already attracted attention from the Cannes Film Festival, being selected for its Atelier section in 2022.
Koguashvili's previous works have earned over 40 international awards and have been screened in numerous countries. His latest film, Brighton 4th, was Georgia's candidate for the Oscars and was shown in over 50 theaters in France and the USA. He believes that Guria has even greater potential.
Stay tuned as the story of Guria unfolds, bringing the humor, resilience, and warmth of the Gurian people to the world stage.