By Mariam Zamtaradze
Photos by Ani Letodiani
TBILISI, Dec 21 (Tbilisi Times) - Tea Tsulikiani, the minister of culture, criticizes the directors of the documentary film “Magic Mountain” for the late changes they made to the final script.
According to Mariam Chachia, one of the directors of the documentary said it’s a mistake to think that a documentary should end with a predetermined script. If the film depicts real facts, then the script cannot be predetermined. In a response to the minister, Chachia said that one always has the opportunity to follow events during the filming of a documentary film.
Official poster of movie Medical Mountain by Mariam Chachia and Nik Voig
“I firmly believe that the more they attempt to block the film, the greater the interest it will inevitably generate. Unfortunately, we now find ourselves barred from all commercial screenings, facing an unexpected and challenging situation,” said Chachia.
Mariam Chachia, documentary film maker, co-director of ,,Magical Mountain.’’ Tbilisi, Georgia, 2023. 21. 12.
The documentary was funded by the Film Center and later criticized by Tsulikiani. According to online information, Chachia has been fighting tuberculosis for years and this struggle inspired her to make a documentary film about Abastumani. It is a place where people suffering from tuberculosis were treated.
Chachia’s goal with this documentary was to inform the public about the patients’ lives and Abastumani’s significance in their battle against tuberculosis. She said the script of the documentary ended up developing differently, because at the end of the film, the building of Abastumani was demolished, and this is depicted at the end of the film. According to Tsulikiani, he contract signed with the director forbade changes in the script.
“The significance of a documentary lies in how the author interprets and visualizes its reality. Without a director’s personal touch, it would simply be categorized as a report, lacking the depth and subjective exploration that characterizes a true documentary. This renders having a predetermined script for a documentary quite absurd.” Nino Orjonikidze, DOCA member reported in the interview.
Nino Orjonikidze, documentary film maker, Gipa lecturer. GIPA, 2023.21.12.
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