“Authentic [and] anthropologically fascinating”
— Jessica Kiang, Variety
“One of the most beautiful portrayals of spiritual tradition, heartache,
grief and sacrifice I have ever witnessed”
— Lorry Kitka, Film Threat
BASED ON TRUE EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE DURING
THE GEORGIAN CIVIL WAR, “FEMINISM MEETS FATALISM[1]”
IN THIS STARKLY BEAUTIFUL DRAMA SET IN AN ISOLATED
CAUCASUS MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY
DEDE
Street Date: June 30, 2020
DVD/Digital: $24.95
The Acclaimed Debut Film of Director Mariam Khatchvani, this
Winner of the “East of West” Award at Karlovy Vary and “Best Director
and Best Cinematography” at the Beijing International Film Festival
Arrives on DVD/Digital from Corinth Films
SYNOPSIS
Based on true events that took place at the outset of the Georgian Civil War, DEDE takes place in the rural and isolated community of Svaneti, where a Caucasus Mountain people far removed from the modern world live, a patriarchal society that revolves around forced marriages, pride and tradition dictate the code of daily life.
Dina (Natia Vibliani) is a young woman promised by her draconian grandfather to David (Nukri Khachvani), one of the soldiers returning from the war. Once a marriage arrangement is brokered by two families, failure to follow through on the commitment is unthinkable. Unfortunately, Dina finds herself unable to love her fiancée, and instead falls for his handsome friend, Gegi (George Babluani), who saved David’s life during the war. Humiliated after she reveals her true feelings, David attempts to kill his friend, but fails, and takes his own life rather than lose face. Dina is rattled, but relieved at the same time and quickly marries Gegi. The pair then flee the village and attempt to make a new life in a nearby community, but the ill sentiment harbored by David’s family doesn’t subside any more quickly than the harsh, unforgiving conditions that are an everpresent part of life in Svaneti.
Ben Sachs of Chicago Reader says director Khatchvani, “demonstrates a sure hand with actors and a taste for natural beauty,” and Film Threat’s Lorry Kitka pens “I can’t fail to mention the stunning cinematography and production design that transports the viewer to this timeless place of stoic beauty. The Caucasus Mountains are shown in all their cold, brutal pulchritude and are the perfect backdrop to such a heartbreaking tale. Mariam Katchvani did a fantastic job with Dede and I can’t wait to be devastated by a new film of hers in the near future.”
Winner of “East of West Award” at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, “Best Director” and “Best Cinematography” at the Beijing International Film Festival, and the UNESCO Award at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, DEDE also picked up awards at festivals around the globe, including Eurasian International Film Festival, Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, LET’S CEE Film Festival and numerous other fests.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Type: DVD/Digital (iTunes, Amazon)
Running Time: 97 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen
Audio: 5.1 Surround Sound
Language: Georgian with English subtitles
