Father of a Soldier

Georgia is a little country with a population of 5 million people and its quite amazing, that we could produce such a great movies... (Unfortunately COULD is the key word here)

This is a touching story of a father who takes this long, sometimes very funny and at the same time very sad journey to find his son... his tall, handsome son...

maybe one have to know Georgia and people of Georgia to understand this movie and especially understand this old man...

And though I give credit to the director, I must admit the movie is great because of Sergo Zaqariadze... this is one of the best actors performances you can find... not only in post-soviet countries... I recommend to rent this movie as well, and maybe get a bit of Georgian Soul...

P.S. I don't see why it is recommended 'Ivanovo detstvo' (1962)... GREAT movie from GREAT TARKOVSKI... but nothing in common with 'Father of a Soldier'

In the World War II, the peasant Giorgi Makharashvili (Sergo Zakariadze) receives a letter from his beloved soldier son Goderdzi, who is fighting in the front driving a tank, telling that he was shot in the shoulder and is recovering in a hospital in Dubovo. He leaves his wife and his grapes in Georgia and travels for a long time by train and wagon to reach the hospital. However, he learns that Goderdzi has been discharged and sent back to the front. Giorgi decides to head to Domidovo to seek out his son but he does not find him. He joins the Soviet Army to fight against the Germans expecting to find his son. Will he succeed in his search for Goderdzi?

"Jariskatsis mama", a.k.a. "The Father of a Soldier", is a touching and beautiful Georgian and Russian antiwar movie. The plot alternates funny moments with dramatic situations in an impressive environment of war. Sergo Zakariadze has a magnificent performance in the role of a family man that needs to see his "tall and handsome" son no matter the price; otherwise what will he say to his wife and friends? The heartbreaking conclusion of this little masterpiece is very sad but never corny. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "O Pai do Soldado" ("The Father of the Soldier")

A war film. like any other. because it is a film about basic, small, insignificant things of life. an admirable cinematography. and small, moving details from a long, hard way. it is not a history lesson, it is not a pledge for abstract virtues, it is not a sentimental story. it is only the map of a trip of a father from a Georgian village, to see his son . and it is enough. in same measure, it is the film of Sergo Zakaridze. who propose an unique Georgi, reflecting the feelings and the force and the vulnerability of every father. it is difficult to describe it. because it is a simple film. not the Soviet political vision about the Great War. not the looking for impress. only a story about an old man and his travels, his huge generosity and his sense of life. his wisdom. and this does it almost an experience. useful. refreshing. and essential to define the war not as event but as slice from an ordinary life.

Ww2 one of the best Soviet Union movie about a simple,Gerorgian (-kakhetian) oldman, and about his son,named Goderdzi...

I have never even thought about that movie as Georgian. For me - it is a movie of human heart (which is international and has nor borders). I remember when I first watched it - I was not able to fall asleep. The movie had already finished, but I was still crying my heart away. Since that I have seen it a few times and every time I cried (considering that usually I don't do it - for example - movies like Shindler's list can not make me cry). For me it is best movie I have ever seen about cruel essence of war. Movie, which is not declarative (like most soviet time movies about the war) or sentimental (like Spielberg's ones for example), but just so unbelievably touching. Just watch it, but have in mind - whether you want it or not - it will fill your heart with compassion and the process is sometimes quite painful.