An intimate, vivid drama about Georgia’s flatmates. My RoomThis film was a standout entry at Karlovy Vary International Movie Festival. Ioseb directed the film ‘Soso’Bliadze and its two lead actresses were awarded the Best Actress prize jointly for their sensitive and sparkly turns. Taki Mumladze — who also co-wrote the screenplay — stars as Tina, an introverted young woman who needs to rent a room from a stranger, for reasons that become increasingly clear, and fascinating, as the story continues.
Megi, an extrovertious party girl (Mariam Khundadze), is direct-talking and abrupt. Tina was initially seen as a means to pay rent. The Covid pandemic is in full force in Tbilisi, with bars presumably shut, so Megi’s crew drop round regularly for drinks, smokes and lively banter before curfew. Tina slowly finds herself in this world and confides in Megi her past. This creates a close bond.
It’s a charming, affecting drama that explores the awkwardness and enforced intimacy of a flatshare, but goes on to tackle much more than that, including domestic violence, drink spiking and LGBTQI+ issues. Megi, an independent, fizzy woman, shines a light in a patriarchal world that places blame on female victims and makes young women want to leave for a country with more diversity. Older women are conspicuous by their absence – partly due the pandemic, but also implicitly a cultural divide. They are often called and spoken to by telephone, and can be perceived as disapproving of other generations and/or a source anxiety.
Both stars win their Crystal Globes with nuanced performances. Mumladze is a flittering between sexually charged and timid, recalling Heather Matarazzo, while Khundadze is constantly amusing and surprising, much like a Georgian Holly Golightly.
Megi is a complex young woman who can be abrupt one minute and kind the next; the sort of person who doesn’t do small talk or pretend to be remotely interested in something she isn’t. Her job in telesales requires her to speak English fluently. She doesn’t possess a kettle, something that sends Tina on a revealing mission to her former abode.
This and other details are fun for the characters. So is their interaction with supporting cast. It’s no accident that the film’s title recalls Virginia Woolf’s feminist essays: this is about young women searching for independence, and finding comfort in connection with another. It’s a delightful watch that gives a fresh perspective on life in contemporary Georgia.