13 TZAMETI

Sébastien, a young Georgian immigrant in France, is re-roofing the house of a man who dies before he can pay him. From the dead man’s post, Sébastien takes a ticket and a letter promising a lucrative job, and sets off in the dead man’s place. He understands what awaits him only once there is no turning back: in a remote house, wealthy men are betting on rounds of Russian roulette, and Sébastien carries the number 13. Gela Babluani, born in Georgia and living in France, wrote, produced and directed “13 Tzameti” (France 2005); the lead role is played by his brother Georges Babluani, appearing on camera for the first time.

Shot in black and white, the film dispenses with explanation and backstory, reducing the thriller to glances, counting and waiting. His debut earned Babluani the award for best first film in Venice in 2005, followed in 2006 by the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema competition at Sundance. “13 Tzameti” was shown at Around the World in 14 Films in Berlin in 2007 in the Spezial Eröffnung section.

Shown at the 2007 edition of Around the World in 14 Films.

All films 2007 · Film Archive