11 unique Georgian film rolls return home from Russian archives

Eleven film tapes representing Georgia's cinematic heritage are now back in the country following a deal with Russia that will see hundreds of 20th Century films from archives in Russia be returned home.

These films were created in between 1925 and 1975, and are being returned home after more than 20 years of talks between Georgia and Russia.

Georgia's Culture Minister Mikheil Giorgadze hosted a special reception on the occasion of returning unique Georgian films to their homeland. Photo by Georgia's Culture Ministry

Today's ceremony marks the handover of the films:

• The Marriage, Umbrella and Musicians by director Mikheil Kobakhidze;
• Peola by Baadur Tsuladze;
• The Nuts (Sherekilebi) by Eldar Shengelaia;
• Flying Painter by Leo Esakia;
• Kadjeti by Kote Mikaberidze;
• Who is Guilty? By Alexandre Tsutsunava;
• Amoki and Sanamishvili’s Mother-in-Law by Kote Marjanishvili
• Eliso by Nikoloz Shengelaia.

Hundreds of original Georgian films produced in the Soviet era were being held by Gosfilmofond - the State Film Fund of Russia. Following the deal signed in 2014, the first batch of film tapes returned to their homeland last year.

The complete deal involves hundreds of Georgian films created over seven decades of Soviet rule in Georgia from 1921-1991 including 381 Georgian feature films, 200 animated and 100 documentary films.