Senility with its inevitable hardships is an eternal topic that is touched upon quite often in the cinema and there are a number of cinematic masterpieces, which is why creating a new work on a similar topic is quite risky, even if the film is made well, the magnitude of the problem affects almost all viewers, therefore, it becomes more debatable. Tornike Bziava's film, "The Nest" (2011) depicts the unusual relationship between father and son. The once prominent chemist has almost lost the ability to speak in his old age. This is when the roles are reversed, the son has to be the father and take care of the elderly parent. This work is also distinguished by the fact that the relationship between parent and child is shown from a different angle. You have to present the theme of old age as delicately as possible and, at the same time, be able to convey a deep meaning, so it is not so easy to keep the limit.
The relationships of ordinary people are told exquisitely and in detail in this fifteen-minute work. No special effects, special sound or special editing. It is a very simple film that reaches deep into the soul. Although the action takes place in a small flat in Tbilisi, the events shown here can easily be transferred to another reality.
The director invites the viewer to cross the opposite side of the screen and become a member of the heroes’ family, to participate in a unique ritual of life, where every movement has a certain value.
The author clearly indicated the complexity of the family relationship structure, the obligations that each member is required to perform. At first, parents take full responsibility for the little human – teach, take care, help. This is their inherent duty, that's why children's obligations stem from the mentality instilled by their parents, the stronger the love around the child during upbringing, the stronger his attachment to his parents.
Old age is an inevitable stage of life for most people. Some prepare fertile ground for this in advance, so that they can spend their remaining years as comfortably as possible, next to their loved ones. Some prefer to go with the flow without making any plans. Anyway, you never know how your life will turn out and what your old age will be like. Old age turns a person into a child, weakens, requires protection, care, attention, warmth and love from the closest person. Respect for the elderly is a primary virtue upon which even the most savage tribal civilizations were built, and strangely enough, we are losing this tradition in today's technological age. However, modernity provides many ways to be closer to each other.
The author focuses on the important moments of the main character's old age - what is happening around him, behind the hero's calm, thoughtful look, one can read the sadness of the past years. "The Nest" is an example of how to shoot a drama that is a little heavy on people, but kind, at the same time, in its own way, dynamic and very sad.
Dialogues are kept to a minimum. The duration of the film was significantly increased due to long shots of empty interiors. Without excessive melodrama, avoiding the speculation of the audience's emotions, the story is told about old age and the parent-child relationship in its background. A story that has been repeated and will be repeated many times. Parents try to give the best to their children and prepare them for adulthood, where there will be no room for old people. This is the law of life and the director does not try to beautify it.
The central motif of the film – respect for elders – is not just a rule of etiquette, but a logical consequence of the fact that sooner or later we all grow old. It is significant that the director focuses on simple but, at the same time, actual thoughts and ideas without any philosophy. There is no tragedy, on the contrary, it gives a brighter tone to the work through a light narration.
The cameraman’s work is worth noting. The shots made in a documentary style are structured in such a way that the sense of realism is not lost on the screen even for a second. The camera mostly follows the characters in close-ups. In rare cases, they will be replaced by long shots. When you first look into the apartment, the camera will allow you to sneak around and get an idea of the character. It is as static as possible and very low, which allows the viewer to be not only a witness, but also a collocutor. It is in such daily episodes that people and the relationships between them are revealed.
Despite the rather sad topic, the work needs a bit of positivity, "daylight," which would be a metaphor for optimism and love of life. The rotation of the circle of life is inevitable, the father will be replaced by the son, then a grandson, and so on endlessly, as long as there is life on earth, that's why optimistic notes were essential for the film.
The actors are extremely limited in their emotional range, so certain episodes feel unfinished, as if the actors had something important to say but didn't (couldn't).
The music, played in time with the hero’s action, reflects the absurdity of the situation in which he found himself. Music is always very important to a film, and here it is very sincere, like the work itself. Calm, not boring, well selected, exactly as needed.
Such a shooting style might be appropriate that the audience would not be in a movie theater, but with the characters in a small flat, traveling with them in search of beautiful nature. Showing it is much more difficult than shooting special effects. Fortunately, this work succeeded in doing this and gave the viewer the opportunity to feel as if he was living next to the characters, sharing their stories.
Based on its idea, this film is not intended for commercial profit and competition prizes. This is a personal film that every young person should see and think about life, parents or the future.
The message of the film is the circumstance that the human is not perfect by nature but everyone can show more restraint, dignity and tolerance. Sometimes children don't understand that elderly parents don't necessarily need entertainment or expensive gifts. It is sufficient to give them very little time. All you have to do for them is warmth and attention. This is exactly what the hero of the film did. He was able to love and care for his old father. With this, the director of the film encourages us to remember our parents and take care of them, remembering that no one is eternal. When you can truly empathize, that is the most important thing a person can have.
Teona Vekua
