One Woman. Three Men. Dina can challenge the harsh traditions of the deep Caucasus Mountains. But will her spirit survive?
“Dede” is a uniquely fascinating tale of patriarchy, and ancient customs in a rural Georgian village nestled away in the heart of the Caucus Mountains. The history of Georgia’s Svaneti region dates back to the Ancient Greeks and was once under the rule of the Byzantine Empire. The village has been through more than a millennium and many archaic ceremonies haven’t changed.
Gegi and David are heading back from the Frontline of war in Post-Soviet Georgia around 1992. I’m assuming they are returning from the battle that took place between Soviets, Georgians, and Abkhaz separatists which caused a lot of misery and human rights violations. Gegi is a handsome soldier who saved the life of David, both men are excited to reunite with the woman they love but neither realizes they are interested in the same person, Dina. Dina is in love with Gegi, despite being expected to marry David. She defiantly ends their betrothal and David is more concerned about how the village will view him and his fragile male ego. There’s bloodshed but it’s surprisingly from David who takes his own life. Gegi is forced to undergo a makeshift tribunal in a tiny corridor of a church. After he’s cleared of any wrongdoing, he and Dina start a life together. Although it’s not enough of a fresh start when old vendettas and toxic masculinity are in the foreground.
Forced marriages (I guess the nicer term is arranged) are commonplace in the village. In one scene, Dina’s cousin is standing on the side of the road when a man kidnaps her and absconds with her to his home. He tells her while he’s pacing around frustrated that she’s his wife now and that’s that. I also found it appalling that women in the Svaneti region to this day are unable to inherit land from men.
There are many unique rituals captured, like sacrificing goats, a ceremonial dagger for saving a life in battle and wrapping a sleeping child’s wrist with a bracelet containing the evil eye to protect from any nefarious spirits.
I never knew how stunning the Caucus Mountains are. Mariam Khatchvani is a first time director and a native of the region. I read that she’s working on a couple documentaries about the area and I am curious to learn more. She really knows how to showcase the pristine expanse and capture the otherworldly traditions. I can’t believe how superb her craft is for a debut film. The quiet shots of nature a lavender field, snow-covered cows, but there’s a repeating shot of a mountain’s face that’s almost looking down on all the events like an ancient bystander. It seems no matter what region or country, men really are great at ruining women’s lives, I hope that’s a tradition that becomes extinct.
Now available on DVD
