Product Details

• Actors: Otar Iosseliani, Gogi Chkheidze, Jansug Kakhidze, Irine Jandieri, Elene Landia
• Directors: Otar Iosseliani
• Writers: Otar Iosseliani, Amiran Chichinadze, Dimitri Eristavi, Erlom Akhvlediani, Ilya Nusinov
• Format: Black & White, DVD, Letterboxed, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: Georgian
• Subtitles: English, French
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 4
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Facets
• DVD Release Date: December 13, 2005
• Run Time: 305 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B000A7Q1OW
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #193,260 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "4 Films by Otar Iosseliani" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

This extraordinary DVD premiere of four rare films by acclaimed Georgian filmmaker Otar Iosseliani takes us on a whimsical voyage of self-discovery. Before his self-exile to direct films in France, Iosseliani's work was frequently banned, shelved, or restricted by Soviet authorities. The early films on this DVD include APRIL, the film picked to showcase Iosseliani’s talent at this year’s Cannes. Iosseliani’s contemporary fables of modern life and traditional values have been compared to the classic comedies of French master Jacques Tati. Shrewdly whimsical and filmed with a poetic casualness, Iosseliani’s universe is one of joyous pessimism.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unsung masterpieces on DVD at last!, September 28, 2005

By 

J. Steffen "jsteffe25" (Decatur, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 4 Films by Otar Iosseliani (DVD)

I never thought I would live to see Otar Iosseliani's Georgian films on DVD with English subtitles. These films are rich with ideas and emotions, and they provide a unique perspective on Georgian culture while retaining a universal appeal. (I would say more about the films themselves, but I'm writing a review elsewhere.) The set includes: a student film, APRIL; his feature debut FALLING LEAVES; THERE WAS ONCE A SINGING BLACKBIRD and PASTORALE. The transfers are director-approved, using clean prints with good contrast and easy-to-read electronic subtitles. Maybe not Criterion-level transfers but quite good nonetheless, especially for Soviet-era films. A very satisfactory edition of must-see-films!