Dede

The images of the landscapes in Georgia's mountainous Svaneti region are the only good points in this oversentimental melodrama. But at some point even the imagery becomes unbearable when viewers become aware of the main storyline which does not go further than superficially dangerous affairs. Lots of movies like this produced in Georgia only to get their producers on to Eurpean stage. Art needs talent, technique and wit all at the same time. Showoffs help only in short term.

"Dede" is a beautiful, moving, heartrending story, based on actual cultural practices (brideknapping included) in the Caucasus until just a few decades ago. Sadly, these cultural practices still prevail in more than a few countries around the world. I'm no expert in Svaneti, but after traveling in the region with local residents, staying in local guesthouses, and hearing their stories, all of the events in the movie ring true. "Dede" is expertly told on a tiny budget, with (mostly and perhaps all) amateur actors. This is what movie-making should be about, not all the special effects, car crashes, and explosions.

An excellent directorial debut from Mariam Khatchvani, beautifully framed and shot. She makes hard narrative choices, to sympathetically show the extant tension between conservative traditions, and a young woman's desire for autonomy - all within the framework of a love story destined for a tragic end.

Based on real events, and showcasing a turbulent period in recent Georgian history, it is a story that could be from many places, and is all the more remarkable for how recently the story is set.

Khatchvani directs with a light touch, and gets wonderful and credible performances from many local people who make up her cast, much in the same vein as Pasolini.

Minor missteps in pacing and editing are easily forgiven for the sure hand shown in shooting and framing the narrative - the village of Ushguli and its beautiful surrounding mountains play as much a character as any of the actors. Absolutely worth your time.

This is a strange little insight into crazed culture of the Balkan people. Mediaeval at best, Neanderthal at worst. Woman are treated as possessions, religion is primitive and suddenly I understand why there are always Balkan wars. I also understand why my friends of Balkan heritage believe in conspiracy theories. What a strange primeval society. An eye opening movie!!

I am Georgian myself and saw this movie in Svaneti (where it was taken). I am ashamed to see that people are abusing the dark side of our history to play on people's emotions superficially to win grants, but regretfully the movie has no value. Instead of showing the real life in mountains, the actual traditions (which were very developed and the included mediation and such institutes as jury etc. The director is playing on people's emotions artificially).

This is not how the life was in Svaneti, people were much kinder to each other and nobody killed and raped each other like this. I'm sad to see this movie and hope not many people will get to see it because it is filled with lies. The director just used cheap methods for playing on emotions with lies and artificial scenes. I was sad to see this movie.