My Happy Family, a Georgian film by Nana Ekvtimishvili and Simon Gross, won the Golden Olive Tree, the Best Cinematography Award and the FIPRESCI at the 18th Festival of European Film in Lecce, southern Italy.
It is about an ordinary Georgian family, with three generations living together under the same roof. In this patriarchal society, the mother – Manama, interpreted by Ia Shugliashvili – suddenly decides to leave her family and live alone.
The camera work by Romanian DP Tudor Vladimir Pandaru (who also shot Cristian Mungiu’s Graduation) is a key element in the film’s success. Produced by the German company Augenschein in co-production with Polare (Georgia) and Arizona Films (France), it should be released in French cinemas next month.
Note that My Happy Family is the first Georgian film to have its international distribution rights bought by Netflix, which means that the film will be accessible in 130 countries.
Sources: Cineuropa, Allociné, Georgia Today
