Simindis kundzuli (2014)

The river creates and the river destroys in an eternal cycle that even man can't escape.

Director:

George Ovashvili

Writers:

Roelof Jan Minneboo, George Ovashvili

Stars:

Ilyas Salman, Mariam Buturishvili, Irakli Samushia

23 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Ilyas Salman	...	Old man
Mariam Buturishvili	...	Girl
Irakli Samushia	...	Soldier
Tamer Levent	...	Abkhazian oficer

Storyline

Swollen up by the spring inundation, the river falls down on the lowlands and before eventually throwing rocks and silts in the sea, gathers them here and there in the middle of the river. In several days, even sometimes overnight, in these shoals rather large islands are created. Soil of such an island is rich and fertile. An old man and his young granddaughter decide to grow corn on this island. But soldiers pass by.

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Plot Keywords:

island | corn | hiding underwater | hiding | stranger | 

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally, the island was supposed to be filled with wildlife, but due to unknown reasons that was cut from the script. The filmmakers did get 2 deer to walk around on the island, but one died in transport, and the other was badly wounded. So they decided to just put the wounded deer on the island, capturing its death on film.

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Connections

Referenced in CT na MFF Karlovy Vary 2017: Generální reditel Petr Dvorák (2017)

User Reviews

Beautiful Minimalism

Every year the Enguri River drops to reveal small fertile islands. Because the river marks the natural border that separates Georgia from Abkhazia, these islands are unclaimed territory. Peasants come every year to live on them during the growing season, attempting to harvest enough corn to survive the winter. Two problems face them; the fact that the two nations have been in some form of conflict since the 90's and the rising waters of the Enguri.

Clearly influenced by the likes of Dreyer and Bela Tarr, Director George Ovashvili's slow-burning, minimalist thriller takes place entirely on and around one of these tiny islands. We follow an old man, referred to only as Grandpa, and his grand-daughter as they methodically bring supplies to the island and construct a small shack. They will have to live on this island in order to tend to and protect their little patch of corn.

The film is low on plot and with nearly no dialogue and yet the sweeping cinematography gives the film an epic tone. This island means everything and nothing. The river creates and the river destroys. The island is a microcosm of man against nature, of the political instability of the region and of life itself. The amount Corn Island is able to achieve with so little is commendable.

A grand achievement, Corn Island hints at a bright future for Georgian cinema and puts George Ovashvili on the radar as a director to watch.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Hungary]

Country:

Georgia Germany France Czech Republic Kazakhstan Hungary

Language:

Georgian Abkhazian Russian

Release Date:

17 September 2014 (Georgia)

Also Known As:

Corn Island

Filming Locations:

Georgia

Box Office

Budget:

EUR1,500,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$37,445

Company Credits

Production Co:

42film, Alamdary Films, Arizona Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min 100 min 100 min (original)

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39:1