©zango studio / Nushi Film

Director: Tato KOTETISHVILI
Cast: Nikolo GHVINIASHVILI, Nika GONGADZE

2024 / Georgia, The Netherlands / 95min.

 

Gonga, a young man living in Tbilisi, loses his father, and his cousin Bart vows in front of the coffin to become a father figure to him. The two make a living by selling items they find at a scrapyard, but one day, they discover a suitcase full of rusty crosses. Inspired, Bart decorates the crosses with electric lights and comes up with the idea to sell them door-to-door as “neon crucifixes”. As they encounter the unique residents of the city, their campaign to spread the neon crucifixes gradually transforms into a strange yet warm journey in search of love and friendship.

Directed by Tato Kotetishvili, born in Tbilisi, who began directing while studying cinematography at the Polish National Film School. His short films have received international acclaim, and this is his first feature-length directorial work. The film lovingly portrays the city of Tbilisi and its people with humor and affection. The cast, including the two leads, are actual residents of Tbilisi. Alongside the two who sell the electrified crosses, the audience, too, discovers the charm of the city and its inhabitants.