Watch Repentance

Repentance is a stunning Soviet film that deals with complex themes of power, memory, and accountability. Directed by Tengiz Abuladze, it was released in 1984 and was both a critical and commercial success in its native country. The film went on to win several awards at international film festivals and is now regarded as a masterpiece of Georgian cinema.

At the heart of Repentance is the story of Varlam Aravidze, a powerful and beloved mayor of a small town in Georgia. The film opens with Aravidze's lavish funeral, attended by a sea of mourners who speak glowingly of his many achievements. However, as the film progresses, it becomes clear that Aravidze's legacy isn't as spotless as his admirers would like to believe. When a young woman named Ketevan Jincharadze discovers a buried statue of Aravidze's father, which looks eerily like the late mayor, she begins to ask questions about the Aravidze family's past.

The film then takes on an almost surreal quality, as the line between reality and hallucination becomes blurred. The newly elected mayor, Abel, finds himself haunted by visions of Aravidze, who appears to be holding him responsible for the sins of the past. Meanwhile, Ketevan, Abel's wife, and his mother are all struggling with their own memories and sins, and their lives become increasingly intertwined with the Aravidze family's murky history.

One of the most striking things about Repentance is its visual style. The film is shot entirely in black and white, which gives it a timeless, almost dreamlike quality. The images are often stark and minimalist, with long shots of desolate landscapes and empty rooms. This aesthetic choice reflects the film's central themes of memory and trauma, as the characters grapple with the weight of history and the damage that has been done to their country and their families.

The performances in Repentance are uniformly excellent, with Avtandil Makharadze giving a particularly memorable turn as Varlam Aravidze. Makharadze portrays the mayor as both charismatic and deeply flawed, a man who was capable of great kindness but also great cruelty. Zeinab Botsvadze is also excellent as Ketevan, whose quest for truth ultimately leads her down a dangerous path.

One of the most interesting aspects of Repentance is the way it engages with the Soviet system of government. The film was released during a period of political and social upheaval in the Soviet Union, and it can be read as a critique of the state and its institutions. The character of Varlam Aravidze is clearly meant to represent the corrupt and oppressive nature of Soviet bureaucracy, while the younger characters embody the desire for change and reform.

Overall, Repentance is a haunting and powerful film that deals with weighty themes in an elegant and visually striking manner. It is a testament to the talent of its director, Tengiz Abuladze, as well as its cast and crew. While it may be relatively obscure in the West, it deserves to be seen and appreciated by anyone with an interest in bold and thought-provoking cinema.

Repentance is a 1987 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.1.