Synopsis
Imagined as a city of the future during the Soviet era, the once-celebrated manganese-mining town of Chiatura in Georgia is now all but abandoned, crumbling around those who still inhabit it. And yet, as anywhere, people live their lives and go about their daily business. There is joy here, and there are the usual challenges. Rati Oneli’s City of the Sun takes us on a languorous tour of this place of faded glory, building an impressionist portrait of a city and its people.
A word from Tënk
Developed over several years, Rati Oneli's debut feature, City of the Sun, unfolds a mesmerizing tale within the desolate landscapes of Chiatura, a once-thriving manganese mining town in Georgia. The film starts with a captivating opening shot where a drone, accompanied by a profound voiceover, slowly approaches towards the centre, immersing viewers into the secluded realm of Chiatura. This atmospheric tone of mythical dimensions lays the foundation for a compelling exploration into the lives, dreams, and destinies of its extraordinary characters. Against the backdrop of decaying buildings and neglected industrial ruins, a music teacher disassembles abandoned structures for scrap metal to make ends meet. Meanwhile, a miner, torn between his passion for theatre and the stability of the mines, lingers in a limbo of indecision. Amidst this, two young female champion athletes train tirelessly, mirroring the town's struggle for survival. Through the masterful lens of cinematographer Arseni Khachaturan (Bones and All and Beginning), the film adeptly captures transient moments of profound beauty intricately woven into a haunting narrative of human resilience. In this forsaken post-Soviet city, the filmmaker skillfully transforms and revitalizes Chiatura through vibrant participants who breathe life into the nostalgic settings of a bygone era. By means of dance, singing and theatre, the film poetically unveils the vivid tapestry of Chiatura's storied past and the spirit of its people.
Marlene Edoyan
Filmmaker and programmer
