Holy Electricity

Somewhere between Aki Kaurismäki’s dry yet tender realism and Wes Anderson’s love for stylized details (though with a far more DIY and lived-in aesthetic) lies this unclassifiable film by Tato Kotetishvili, which ultimately inhabits a world entirely its own. Through the colorful chaos of Tbilisi, we follow two endearing protagonists: the young Gonga and his cousin Bart, as they navigate their lives through odd jobs and small-time adventures. Everything changes when they come across a suitcase full of rusty crosses, leading them to an unexpected business idea. With a touch of neon, they turn the crosses into small electric art pieces, trying to sell them door-to-door to the city’s residents. In the process, they not only invite us into the rich mosaic of a city where every door hides a story but also into their own beautifully imperfect world. It’s a portrait of quiet friendship and the poetry of everyday life, shining a light on the unexpectedly charming moments we often overlook without a second thought.

---

Direction: Tato Kotetishvili

Script: Tato Kotetishvili, Irine Jordania, Nutsa Tsikaridze

Cinematography: Tato Kotetishvili

Editing: Nodar Nozadze

Sound: Selle Sellink

Music: Nodar Nozadze, Nika Paniashvili, Vaqo

Actors: Nikolo Ghviniashvili, Nika Gongadze

Production: Zango Studio, Nushi Film

Producers: Tato Kotetishvili, Tekla Machavariani

Co-production: GOGO Film, The Film Kitchen, Arrebato Films

Co-producers: Ineke Smits, Ineke Kanters, Lisette Kelder, Guka Rcheulishvili , Marisha Urushadze

Production Design: Nato Bagrationi, Anuka Kalandarishvili

Format: DCP

Color: Color

Production Country: Georgia, The Netherlands

Production Year: 2024

Duration: 95'

Contact: Nushi Film

Awards/Distinctions: Best Film (Filmmakers of the Present Competition), Junior Jury First Prize – Locarno FF 2024

Tato Kotetishvili

Tato Kotetishvili (born 1987) is a Georgian filmmaker. He studied at the Polish National Film School in Łódź. He lives in Tbilisi and works as a director and cinematographer. His short film Watermelon (2012) won Best Short at the 2012 Krakow International Film Festival. Holy Electricity is his first feature.

Filmography

2012 Watermelon (short)
2015 Ogasawara (short)
2024 Holy Electricity