Description
Film Overview
“Giorgobistve” is one of Iosseliani’s early feature films and follows the story of two young friends, Niko and Otar, who are sent to work at a state-run wine factory. Otar, the careerist, tries to please the management, while the honest and principled Niko is more concerned with the discipline of the workplace and the quality of the wine. The film’s subtle conflicts between ambition and integrity, tradition and modernity, result in a comic yet socially critical narrative.
Although “Giorgobistve” faced backlash from Soviet critics—being labeled as anti-Soviet and even anti-Georgian—it earned international acclaim, notably receiving the Georges Sadoul Prize in France.
Poster Description
The poster employs a monochrome or two-tone color scheme, typical of Georgian poster design in the 1960s. A simple but evocative illustration, likely drawn in an ink sketch style, focuses on human figures or symbolic rural elements, conveying a sense of quiet resistance, reflection, and social critique. The absence of loud visuals or commercial appeal aligns perfectly with Iosseliani’s cinematic philosophy—restraint, observation, and meaning beneath the surface.
This approach reflects the fusion of visual economy and poetic symbolism, making it not only a marketing tool but also a work of art in its own right.
Details
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Film Title: Giorgobistve (Falling Leaves)
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Director: Otar Iosseliani
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Screenwriter: Amiran Chichinadze
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Release Year: 1966
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Studio: Kartuli Pilmi (Georgian Film Studio)
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Country: Georgian SSR, USSR
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Genre: Drama, Social Critique, Rural Life
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Composer: Natela Iosseliani
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Cinematographer: Abesalom Maisuradze
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Runtime: 79 minutes
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Language: Georgian
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Technique: Two/three-color offset or lithographic print
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Design Style: Minimalist, illustrative, expressive
Significance and Popularity
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A milestone of Georgian cinema, especially within the Soviet context
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One of the earliest internationally acclaimed works by Otar Iosseliani, later considered a master of poetic cinema
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Acclaimed for its subtle resistance to ideological conformity, yet celebrated abroad for its honesty and artistry
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The poster is a collector’s piece, treasured for its minimalist design, cultural symbolism, and rarity
Ideal Decorative Piece For
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Collectors of Soviet-era Georgian film posters
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Enthusiasts of Eastern European cinema and graphic design
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Interiors that embrace vintage aesthetics, especially spaces dedicated to film history or cultural heritage
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Cafés, bars, libraries, or art studios wishing to highlight Georgian identity through subtle visual storytelling
This poster is more than a promotional artifact—it is a quiet testament to the power of understatement in art, and a visual window into a time, a culture, and a film that dared to tell the truth, softly.
