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The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear

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The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear

NR201397 min.IMDb8.1/10Metacritic65/100

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The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear is an intriguing and evocative documentary that hit the silver screen in 2012. Directed by Tinatin Gurchiani, the film is a poetic exploration of post-Soviet culture spanning across Georgia’s diverse society. Very distinct from the conventional documentary style, Gurchiani's approach elegantly intertwines various narrative threads to sketch out a vivid, multi-dimensional picture of her homeland following the fall of USSR. Through a detailed and expansive narrative featuring Teona Bagrationi, Tinatin Gurchiani, Ramin Iremadze and a host of non-professional performers and interviewees, the film reflects the story of a society in transition.

The film ensues with a deceptively simple premise. Gurchiani puts out a casting call in Georgia for individuals between the ages of 15-23 who think they are interesting and unique. But in an intriguing twist, all ages respond to this call ranging from a teenager aspiring to become president to an elderly woman determined to display their worthiness for the documentary. Interestingly, these so-called auditions unfold not in a distant penthouse studio, but in their humble rural homesteads, industrial sites, breathtaking landscapes or even tranquil monasteries.

As Gurchiani journeys across Georgia, the exchanges of dialogue she records are far from superficial. Themes of aspirations, memories, nostalgia, struggles, dreams, and hopes flow through the vast expanse of the movie. The interviews serve as instruments to navigate the audience through realms of personal relationships, societal changes, economic difficulties and political turmoil, all painted against the scenic backdrop of Georgia. The title alludes to a yearning for an imaginary machine that could make their problems disappear, and the presence of such longing throughout the film reverberates the sentiments of the Georgian population.

One of the fantastic qualities about The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear is that the film presents all its interviewed subjects without introduction or fanfare, which compels the viewer to stitch the stories together. The focus is not on individual narratives alone, but how they interact, intertwining with one another, creating a tapestry where threads of youthful dreams give way to harsh realities. It's a vivid tableau, full of striking juxtapositions and quiet moments of revelation that speak volumes about the country and its people.

In essence, the movie is a cinematic experiment on form and narrative, wherein the line between documentary and fiction often blurs to create a landscape of interweaving stories marked by authenticity and rawness. This unique format allows for an immersive storytelling experience that brings the viewer intimately close to the experiences of the film's subjects. It delivers aching moments of heartbreak and uplifting instances of resilience that provide profound insights into the human condition.

At the heart of the film's beauty is the masterful direction by Tinatin Gurchiani. She navigates through the individuals interviewed, never exploiting their stories but rather presenting the heart-rending honesty and poignant truths they represent. All the while entrancing us with the mesmerising landscape of her homeland, forever asserting its historical context and societal constitution as a part of everyone's story. As a result, the film encourages us to reflect on the reality of what we see on screen, thereby pushing us to contemplate larger questions about life, ourselves, and the world around us.

The film's visual beauty is equally captivating. Breathtaking scenic shots mingle with the sombre brushing of eastern European architecture and bustling city life, all subtly highlighted through the close-ups of the subjects' raw emotions and snippets of their everyday habits. Cinematographically, The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear is intelligently detailed, and throughout it, Gurchiani shows an eye for capturing the human spirit within the frame of their societal structures.

To say The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappear is an emotional journey would be an understatement. It's a poignant documentary filled with heart-warming, tragic, inspiring, heartbreaking stories; it’s a slice of life served with unabashed truth. The movie does not dwell in one particular area but invites us into a multitude of lives, essentially capturing the essence of post-Soviet Georgia. The film showcases a universal human experience wrapped in the cultural particularity of Georgia, making it a unique cinematic experience.

NR201397 min.
IMDb8.1/10Metacritic65/100
Director
Tinatin Gurchiani
Genres
Documentary