Watch Taming the Garden

Taming the Garden is a documentary film released in 2021, directed by Salomé Jashi. The movie portrays the magnificent and surreal landscapes of gardens from the Soviet era, but with a slightly different twist. The story revolves around the relocation of several centuries-old trees from their original spot in the countryside to a grand palace in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.

It is evident that these trees have stood the test of time. They have lived through the political and economic booms and busts that have shaped the country over time. They are now being uprooted from their original location and transported to a new place, where they will symbolize a link between the country’s past, present and future.

The art of moving trees is an age-old practice in Georgia, which is a country full of natural beauty and has many picturesque landscapes. In Taming the Garden, the director captures the fascinating process of transporting the massive trees, which are as big as locomotives, to their new home in a city square.

The film takes us through a journey as we see the process of the trees being dug up from their current location and being lifted with cranes. From there, they are transported on special trailers that are specifically built to support the massive trees. During the journey, the trees encounter various obstacles, from narrow roads to overhead power cables. The drivers and operators who transport the trees are experts who know how to navigate and work around these difficulties.

As the trees make their way to the city, they become the center of attention for people who have never seen anything like this before. The trees are taken on a parade-like procession down the highway so that people can witness their beauty and majesty up close.

While it is a tedious and risky process to relocate these trees, it is also one that requires meticulous planning and careful execution. The film takes us through the process and the care that goes into the trees' handling, ensuring they remain healthy and maintained throughout the journey.

The cinematography in Taming the Garden is exceptional. The film's beauty is amplified by the way Salomé Jashi has captured the landscapes of the Georgian countryside, and the city's bustling streets, which have been transformed by these giant trees. The juxtaposition of the natural beauty of these massive trees against the backdrop of the city's modern structures creates a surreal and captivating visual experience.

Throughout the film, the audience is left to wonder about the motives behind the relocation process, which appears to be much grander than a simple aesthetic reason. The idea of moving these trees is not only about beautifying the new site but preserving the memories, histories, and cultural significance of the original site. The people who are involved in the relocation of these trees, especially the local community, share their experiences and the stories that make these trees significant, adding depth to the narrative.

Overall, Taming the Garden is a beautifully shot and captivating documentary that explores the idea of preserving cultural memories and history through the relocation of a country's natural treasures. The film is an excellent example of how a simple idea or concept can be examined in-depth and, without the need for any artificial complexity, become a thing of wonder and beauty.

Taming the Garden is a 2022 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.