Society imposes standards. People follow fashion and force others to do the same. Technological development in the modern world has increased the demand on money even more. Along with specialties, different social layers have emerged. Those who kept up with the times continued to live happily, while those who lagged behind - were lost somewhere in the past.
No job is shameful. You should avoid everyone when you do nothing for life and idle around, waiting for someone to throw alms at you. David, the character in Mevlud Sabashvili's short film - "Last Day To Pay" (2024) does not understand this. He is a car mechanic, his hands are covered in fuel oil, he has to hide and lie about his occupation. The feeling of shame that came over him unintentionally is not his fault - this is the result of circumstances and upbringing. The ugly mindset has been around since the 1990s - since the time when certain professionals were a ridicule to others and this imprinted thought ruined a person's life.
And what is the ultimate shame and when do humans have this feeling? Shame, as the example of David shows, is not just a feeling of embarrassment. It can be a deeply imprinted destructive force that distances one from reality. When social norms or past experiences make shame an integral part of one's own dignity, an individual's experience can create false illusions for oneself and thus make life even more difficult. It is not just a regret for a specific behavior but a very great feeling that “I am not sufficient” or “I am unworthy,” which hampers the personal growth, authentic relationships and happiness. In David’s case, this shame has ruined his life because he could not maintain his adaptation to reality and, instead, escaped into a world created by illusions.
A man does not live for tomorrow. He makes decisions as if tomorrow will not come. He doesn’t think about development - he simply sits and is ashamed of himself. But he cannot say this out loud - actions talk on his behalf. He takes a loan from the bank and, instead of paying rent for an apartment, buys a new phone. He wants to fit into the framework of society, although these frameworks no longer exist in this reality. Society has developed and become more acceptable of humans. The only one who could not accept oneself is David himself. He runs away from reality and creates the illusion which he always wanted to have. He takes someone else's car to a class reunion and lies to others that everything is fine and no one is in trouble, he skilllessly tries to put on "rose-colored glasses.” It's interesting, if he could finally figure out how to live when he lost everything. Or, how he intends the relationship with Christiné in light of a life built on lies?
The last day of the loan and rent payment is one ordinal number - 27. He was also born on the same date number and it seems that 27 has been attached to him like a destiny. He is so feeble, he might have thought many times that he should not have been born at all. He is a usually thoughtless person who wants something and does not care at what price he will get it. This results in his losing everything. His existence was not unbearable at all, he caused it himself. The reality he created is only David’s fault.
The director offers viewers two different types of men and allows them to choose which one they like. The film is like a soiled mirror that you need but don't want to look into. On one side there is David, who has lost his house, job, and doesn't have the courage to commit suicide. He looks from the balcony at the height of the cobblestones, being unable to jump but doesn’t want to survive either. He owes everyone and now, unemployed, he doesn't know how he will pay back. He receives his salary at the end of each month, asks others for money, but hasn't paid the rent for six months. On the other side there is Giorgi - a man who didn't succeed in his business but didn't give up and got back on his feet. He is neither ashamed of the mistakes he made nor afraid of the dawn of tomorrow. He also lost Christiné. David often envied him, and now he has a chance to be with her.
The film “Last Day To Pay” is somewhat similar to Nutsa Aleksi-Meskhishvili’s film “Credit Limit.” There, too, the character owes everyone, takes reckless steps and adds credit to credit. She gets so caught up in the excitement that in the end loses her only apartment and has nothing left. None of them looks ahead. They seem to live on earth only for a day and they have to make the most of everything now.
The film is a kind of reflection of modern society, where strict, often restrictive norms and expectations are reflected. It is these norms that neglect or oppress “weak” people. It shows not only the tragedy of the main character, David, but also his inner alienation and fears - as a person who cannot find a place in a transitional, contradictory social environment.
The open ending chosen by the director gives the viewer a choice - to remain in David’s hopeless situation or, like Giorgi, to get up and continue living. The film reveals the division into social classes, constant financial pressure, personal arrogance and the shadow of revenge - problems that are part of the everyday life of society.
"Last Day To Pay" puts questions about freedom and self-recognition. Especially when mistakes and failures hinder this effort. This is not just a psychological collapse of one person but a “dirty mirror” that is difficult to look into but necessary for personal development. The main thing in life is not to fall, but to get up and be honest with yourself, and the unbearable burden of existence often depends on a person’s internal conflicts and wrong choices.
Barbare Kalaijishvili
