Pastorale(Pastorali)

This naturalistic, unassuming story about citydwelling members of a string quartet staying in a village is impressionistic and sensitive to the absurdities of modernity. A pretext for bittersweet observations, the musicians’ leisurely practice sessions form a biting contrast to the rural life which has its own melodies – alcohol, boredom and occasional quarrels fill the space in between tough routines, wherefolk songs are performed ritually at the dining table. Chanting a wry and poetic note of the long-standing tension between the two poles of contemporary living, Iosseliani seemingly didn’t strike a chord with the censors, and it became his last film shot in the USSR.

1982 Berlin International Film Festival: FIPRESCI Prize and OCIC Award – Honourable Mention