A story of two women caught up in emotional ties of shared memories will be introduced to viewers through an international premiere of Comets by filmmaker Tamar Shavgulidze at the Toronto International Film Festival next month.
With her latest feature, Shavgulidze will be featured in the Discovery section of the Canadian event, as the work featuring a cast of Georgian actors is screened to visitors of the high-profile cinema celebration.
Its storyline develops as two protagonists have a reunion at a holiday retreat where they spent their childhood, long after their last encounter.
Three decades after their separation, Irina and Nana remain mesmerized by memories of earlier days. But when Irina returns to the small community she left — where Nana stayed to start a traditional family — the women must reconcile with the past and their complex feelings,” a preview for the festival said.
Three decades after their separation, Irina and Nana must reconcile with their past and complex feelings in Tamar Shavgulidze’s COMETS. Starring Nino Kasradze, Ketevan Gegeshidze, Nina Mazodier, and Mariam Iremashvili. #TIFF19 https://t.co/mduuMKjvWy pic.twitter.com/10ic0CEVka
— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) August 8, 2019
Filming for the feature was done in 2018, with post-production work concluded this year. Screenplay for the “emotive drama” (TIFF) was also created by the director, while Tekla Matchavariani and Aleksandre Shervashidze contributed as producers.
The credits for the film also features the award-winning name of Giorgi Shvelidze, who is a recipient of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Spotlight Award.
Production for Comets was supported by the Georgian National Film Centre, with the 110-minute runtime work following the 2011 Born in Georgia as the latest work by Shavgulidze.
The director also worked on Three Houses (2008) by Zaza Urushadze as screenwriter while also directing Minus 37 and Hopscotch (2003).
TIFF organisers will release the full schedule for the festival on August 20. The event will run in Toronto between September 5-15.