Georgia Film Festival opens in 東京

The Georgia Film Festival, which features valuable works produced in the country during the former Soviet era, has begun in Tokyo.

The festival opened on Saturday at Iwanami Hall in Jinbocho in central Tokyo.

Before the screenings, Georgian Ambassador to Japan Teimuraz Lezhava delivered a speech.

He said his country is proud of having cultivated its culture while undergoing a difficult international situation. He added that films are an important cultural item that conveys the spirit of Georgia.

The festival features 35 films。 They include a movie depicting the life of Georgia’s leading painter Niko Pirosmani. He is known for a romantic episode that was turned into a hit song, “Million Scarlet Roses.”

One of the audience members said Georgian films have an appeal that cannot be found in Western movies. She said she wants to watch all the works.

Painter Harada Takehide, who planned the film festival, said only a limited number of works are available for screening, as many films produced during the former Soviet era are missing or have deteriorated.

Harada said there were restrictions on expression at that time, but the films reflect the pride of the Georgian people and their desire for freedom. He expressed hope that people will learn more about the works.

The film festival runs through February 25.