Watch What Do We See When We Look at the Sky?

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? is a Georgian-German film directed by Alexandre Koberidze, released in 2021. This remarkable cinematic piece stands out for its unique storytelling, magical realism, and poetic exploration of love, chance, and the cityscape of Kutaisi, Georgia. Through its blend of allure and ponder, the film invites the viewer to embark on a journey that transcends traditional narrative structures and delves into the heart of everyday magic.

The film introduces us to two main characters, Lisa and Giorgi, who encounter each other by chance on the streets of Kutaisi. An immediate and unspoken connection sparks between them, and they agree to meet the next day. However, an unforeseen twist of fate intervenes. A curse befalls upon the pair that night, ensuring that they will not recognize each other the next day. Both characters undergo a mysterious transformation overnight, awakening in completely different appearances, unknown even to themselves.

In the midst of this enigmatic occurrence, the film unfolds at a leisurely pace, allowing the story to breathe and integrate various aspects of the daily life and culture in Kutaisi. Koberidze invites the audience to become intimate observers of the city's streets, its people, and the rhythm of life that pulses through it. Visual narration is interlaced with an assortment of story threads, subplots, and a diverse ensemble of townsfolk, ranging from market sellers to musicians, each adding depth and texture to the canvas upon which the story is painted.

Koberidze's direction is striking for its focus on the minutiae that envelop the main narrative—children playing soccer, the flow of the river Rioni, leaves rustling in the trees—these details build a world that is at once deeply grounded in reality and brushed with the surreal. This dualistic approach creates a dreamlike atmosphere that captivates the viewer, pulling them into a realm where anything feels possible, and love's longevity relies on the unseen ties that bind people and places together.

The cinematography of the film is characterized by its gentle, observational quality. Steadicam shots, static frames that capture the stillness and movement of life, and random elements that might seem incidental at first, all contribute to the film's visual tapestry. The natural beauty of the Georgian landscape and the architectural personality of Kutaisi are embraced as key elements of the storytelling, making the city a living, breathing character in its own right.

The pacing of What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? stands in contrast to mainstream cinematic norms, perhaps even challenging the audience's expectations with its unhurried tempo and its focus on moments that might typically be relegated to the periphery. The cinematic language appears to be shunning the usual mechanisms of plotting, instead giving weight to encounters, conversations, coincidences, and the unfolding poetry of the everyday.

Music and sound design also play pivotal roles in the storytelling process, melding seamlessly with the visuals to enhance the film's fairy-tale ambiance. The soundtrack features a blend of classical music and ambient sounds, which underscore key moments and emotions in a way that is both understated and enchanting.

The narrative structure of the film toys with the concept of storytelling itself. Koberidze doesn't solely focus on the linear progression of events but rather on the web of interactions and occurrences that seem to derive their significance from the observer's gaze. Voice-over narration is used sparingly and deliberately, further accentuating the film's reflective nature and its introspective exploration of love and destiny.

Regarding performances, the actors deliver with a nuanced subtlety that resonates with the film's overall aesthetic. Expressions, gestures, and body language communicate much of the emotional thrust, in line with the film’s contemplative style. The characters' internal journeys are portrayed with sensitivity, allowing audiences to engage in a deep, empathetic connection with their struggle to reconnect amidst the magical disruption that has placed them both at the mercy of fate.

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? is a cinematic odyssey that revels in the beauty of the unremarkable and the power of happenstance. It is both a poignant love story and an ode to a place; a mesmerizing look at how the universe conspires through whispers and glances, happenings and dreams, painting a love letter to the unexpected pathways of life. For anyone seeking an immersive and lyrical viewing experience, one that celebrates the slow unfolding of time and the ethereal connections that bind us, Koberidze's film is an extraordinary voyage into the heart of the human experience.

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? is a 2021 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 82.