During the war, civilians suffer the most. They have to leave their homes, flee from shelling and escape from looters. In general, many troubles fall on the shoulders of ordinary people. Well in this case, if there is some place that can be called your refuge, in which you can hide from the horrors around. And how good it is if this place is a tangerine garden.
Plot
The film "Mandarins" (2013) tells the story of the Georgian-Abkhaz war. Previously, a quiet and calm village falls into the war zone. All prudent residents have long left their homes, fleeing war. Only three people still do not want to leave this picturesque, but at the same time dangerous place: the owner of the commodity workshop Ivo, the owner of the tangerine plantation Margus and Dr. Johan. Ivo and Margus do not want to miss the collection of tangerines, as this year the crop turned out to be especially large. The doctor is on his way.
In the village there is a clash of opponents - Georgians and Abkhazians. After a bloody shootout, the Chechen mercenary Ahmed, who howls on the side of the Abkhazians, remains the survivor. Ivo takes him home to heal.
As night falls, Margus and Ivo decide to bury the remaining soldiers. After digging a hole and folding the bodies there, they suddenly discover that one Georgian soldier (Nika) was badly wounded, but still alive. Ivo places him under one roof with the "enemy."
The further development of the plot of the film "Mandarins" goes through a conflict between a Chechen mercenary and a Georgian soldier. They do not want anything good for each other, on the contrary, everyone seeks to avenge the blood of fallen comrades. Ivo and Margus are doing everything possible to prevent bloodshed and hostility.
Director's work
The director of the picture, Zaza Urushadze, is not too famous. However, this did not prevent him from creating such an interesting creation. The atmosphere of the devastated village was a success, the calm of the “gatherings” over a cup of tea and the intensity of the enmity of the two temperaments are equally well traced.
In reviews of the film "Tangerines", many who watched it noted the director's work as talented, outstanding and unusual. Spectators, who, thanks to this picture, have recognized Z. Urushadze, wonder why he has not yet gained popularity.
Actors
The main role (an old man named Ivo) went to Lembit Ulfsak, who is known for such films as: “Mary Poppins, goodbye!”, “The Legend of Thiel” and “In Search of Captain Grant”. This time Lembit was to reincarnate as an experienced wise, good-natured old man. In many reviews of the movie "Tangerines", viewers praise the acting game of Ulfsak.
The other actors in the film "Tangerines" are unprofessional artists. Despite this, all roles are played realistically and you really believe in what is happening. Of course, this is not the highest level of acting, but it is not needed here as such. The events in the film are phlegmatic and unhurried, the storm of emotions is useless, the narrative is brought to the forefront, and the actors only keep the story at the right level.
Camera work
Aesthetic beauty is one of the main features of the picture. Beautiful mountainous terrain, light fog and vast expanses are perfectly combined with ascetic houses and the peaceful atmosphere of a small Abkhazian village.
Most of the story takes place inside the house, so that the vast beauty will be replaced by a chamber setting, which is presented to the viewer so that a sense of isolation does not occur.
Soundtrack
Niaz Diasamidze did a great job on sound design. Music meets the traditions of the mountain people, gives the picture a bright flavor and originality. It contributes to a deeper immersion in the atmosphere of the film and, as a result, exacerbates the impression.
Dialogues
Most of the dynamics in the film are transmitted through dialogs. This has a positive effect on the atmosphere of enclosed space and better reveals the characters' characters. In the conversations of the characters of the film, everyone’s motivation is clearly visible. This allows you to feel the characters, climb them "under the skin" and imbued with sympathy.
All this is due to the script, in which the character traits of the characters are clearly spelled out. From here interesting dialogues follow that do not violate the logic of the narrative and do not let the viewer get bored. It is not surprising that in almost all reviews of the film "Mandarins" viewers and critics note beautifully prescribed lines of characters.
Citrus Flavor War
The film "Tangerines" (2013) does not claim to be moralizing: it does not say that this is bad, but that’s good. The story simply unfolds the story of several people who do not decide the fate of the world and do not save humanity from death. All that they are allowed to save are their own souls. And it is up to the viewer to decide what is noble and what is mean.
The film "Mandarins" received gratitude and positive feedback from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia for its semantic component:
We express our gratitude to the creators of the joint Estonian-Georgian film "Mandarins" for considering the problems of ensuring political security from the point of view of mankind.
It may seem to some as if the picture is about a war. Actually quite the opposite. This film is about peace, peace in the human soul, about rallying people and, of course, about friendship. The main character - Ivo acts as a bulwark of humanity, is a kind of symbol of unity, a symbol of what a person loses during the war.
It’s good when your refuge becomes a beautiful tangerine garden. But it’s even better if you find this refuge in your own soul.