A film bringing a “dreamy atmosphere” of a remote Georgian village undergoing major change will have its world premiere at this year’s International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam.
A Tunnel, directed by Nino Orjonikidze and Vano Arsenishvili and previously supported by European and Asian development platforms, has been selected to be one of a dozen films in the prestigious festival’s First Appearance section.
The competitive segment is comprised of films “from engaged filmmakers with a remarkable creative vision” (IDFA), debuting at international stage or having their maiden premieres full stop.
Orjonikidze and Arsenishvili’s 90-minute work is a Georgian-German co-production that takes a look at rapid transformation of a quiet village in Georgia into a transit location for a railway set to form a chain in China’s global Belt and Road trade initiative. The infrastructural project brings in workers and heavy machinery for digging a tunnel through a mountain, causing uncertainty among locals who use the site for pastures and also have houses nearby.
There are promises of prosperity and progress, but in the dreamy atmosphere of the fairy-tale village, the coming of the express train feels more like a nightmare” – IDFA
Rifts between Georgian and Chinese workers involved in the railway construction add to the scene unfolding as “gorgeous, disengaged shots perfectly reflect the surrealist atmosphere of a changing world order”.
Produced at Artefact Production and Ventana Film, the feature involves cinematography by Arsenishvili and sound by Ana Davitashvili. Previously known with its working title The Platform, it was shortlisted for the Hong Kong Film Financing Forum and benefited from support by IDFA’s Bertha Fund over the last two years. Orjonikidze previously worked on English Teacher (Best Documentary of Focus Caucasus section at 2013 CineDOC-Tbilisi), Altzaney and The Bridge. The filmmaker was a nominee for prizes at international festivals including DOK Leipzig and Krakow Film Festival.
Arsenishvili contributed to the three films through co-direction, cinematography and editing while also working as the director for Artefact Production. The IDFA festival will run between november 20-December 1 in Amsterdam.