Three young French friends go to Georgia, a former Soviet republic, to claim a castle that belonged to a relative. Since they don't know the language, the trio arrange for a local guide, Nikolai, to help them getting there. Little prepare them for what they will find on the road to their destination. Nikolai, who has a car, tells them of a bus trip that will take two days to get to the area where the castle is located.
As they embark on the trip, an old man and his grandson board the bus carrying a coffin. Puzzled about the strangeness of seeing the men bringing this object on the bus, it is revealed the old man has offered himself to be killed in order to settle a feud between two families. Instead of continuing to their final destination, Nikolai convinces the group to accompany the natives to see if peace is restored, ending the family feud. The old man's clan has killed four of their enemies, and now he is offering himself because he is at the end of his life, instead of that of the grandson, who is too young to die. Nothing prepares the tourists for what they are about to witness. Unfortunately, when they reach their destination, the visitors are flabbergasted because of the state of ruin of the property in the legacy!
This is an intriguing film directed by Georgian filmmakers Gela and Temur Babluani. It is a weird tale of tribal struggle where revenge is a way to save one's family honor. The picture has a road movie feeling as things happen along the road that will change forever the young people that have come to see their legacy, but encounter an experience they'll never forget.
Pascal Bongard, who plays Nikolai, is about the only one that has an opportunity. Leo Gaparidze, the old man, makes a dignified appearance. Sylvie Testud, Stanislas Merhar, and Olga Legrand, the French tourists don't have much to do. George Babluani has some effective moments.
The Georgian countryside is photographed lovingly by Tariel Meliava.
As they embark on the trip, an old man and his grandson board the bus carrying a coffin. Puzzled about the strangeness of seeing the men bringing this object on the bus, it is revealed the old man has offered himself to be killed in order to settle a feud between two families. Instead of continuing to their final destination, Nikolai convinces the group to accompany the natives to see if peace is restored, ending the family feud. The old man's clan has killed four of their enemies, and now he is offering himself because he is at the end of his life, instead of that of the grandson, who is too young to die. Nothing prepares the tourists for what they are about to witness. Unfortunately, when they reach their destination, the visitors are flabbergasted because of the state of ruin of the property in the legacy!
This is an intriguing film directed by Georgian filmmakers Gela and Temur Babluani. It is a weird tale of tribal struggle where revenge is a way to save one's family honor. The picture has a road movie feeling as things happen along the road that will change forever the young people that have come to see their legacy, but encounter an experience they'll never forget.
Pascal Bongard, who plays Nikolai, is about the only one that has an opportunity. Leo Gaparidze, the old man, makes a dignified appearance. Sylvie Testud, Stanislas Merhar, and Olga Legrand, the French tourists don't have much to do. George Babluani has some effective moments.
The Georgian countryside is photographed lovingly by Tariel Meliava.