14.09.2021
Focus Caucasus Special Jury Award at CinéDOC-Tbilisi 2021
We are happy to annouce that two films associated with Chai Khana were awarded for the best documentaries in Focus Caucasus Section at CinéDOC-Tbilisi 2021!
Merri Mkrtchian's film "Jane Jan", commissioned by Chai Khana, received Focus Caucasus Special Jury Award sponsored by Docs Up Fund.
Comments by jury:
For the intimate approach, the innovative and fresh compositions between the characters and landscapes, the delicate and natural way to dialogue and speak about huge issues and topics, as war, identity, nationalism, friendship, freedom, joy of living or borders...
"The dead will understand" by Ana Jegnaradze and Marita Tevzadze, published on our platform last year, also received Focus Caucasus Special Jury Award.
Comments by jury:
In a village in which life is ruled by nature, the seasons, local traditions and the Orthodox Church calendar, the Corona pandemic disrupts familiar patterns. However the villagers show resilience and accept their fate gracefully - even when it means not going to church during Easter and not tending to the graves of loved ones for a while - they all agree: „The Dead will Understand“. The camera work shows us slices of life from the village, in beautiful colors, often originally framed. This, combined with voice-overs from the villagers who speak both in poetry and prose, results in a short documentary gem which convinced the jury on all levels.