Tangerines received an Oscar Nomination for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year and a Golden Globe Nomination also for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year.
Date: 11 July 2017
Venue: The White House
Time: 17h00
Tickets: R350.00 per person
Director: Zara Urushadze | Cast: Lembit Ulfsak (Good Hands), Elmo Nüganen (Names Engraved in Marble) and Giorgi Nakashidze | 2015 – 87 minutes
THE MOVIE
Tangerines is a humanist, anti-war fable set in 1992, during the growing conflict between Georgia and Abkhazian separatists. In the wake of the Soviet Union’s dissolution, this compassionate tale focuses on two Estonian immigrant farmers who decide to remain in Georgia long enough to harvest their tangerine crop. When the war comes to their doorsteps, Ivo (played by legendary Estonian actor Lembit Ulfsak) takes in two wounded soldiers from opposite sides. The fighters vow to kill each other when they recover, but their extended period of recovery has a humanizing effect that might transcend ethnic divides.
We never see any women, except for a fading photo of Ivo’s granddaughter, which one character falls in love with in one of the film’s more bittersweet moments. “That was intentional,” Urushadze said, “because without women the situation is more dramatic and at times turns into a tragicomedy.” That absence is crucial to how the film burrows into the psychology of men who go to war because over something that has been ideologically spoon-fed to them, only to learn that they are weak.
THE FOOD
Warm the cockles in true Russian tradition with Mandarin Absolut Vodka on arrival. A cash bar is available. Feast on simple soup, bread, cheese and pickles – more Mandarin Absolut – and delicious desserts.
THE ENTERTAINMENT
Playing with Fire Balkan Klezmer Band
As one of the founding bands of the now famous Cape Town Balkanology Parties, which rocked the Mother City with music from the cult films “Black Cat, White Cat”, “Underground” and “Time of the Gypsies”, this trio of Matthew Reid (sax), Andre van Vuuren (accordion) and Joe Bolton (tuba) play infectious tunes from Middle Eastern Europe. Their repertoire includes the Georgian tunes Tbilisa, Sulico and the Georgian National Anthem as well as Caje Sukarije (Serbia), Yarayah (Turkey), Buba Mara (Ukraine), Start Wearing Purple, Budapescht, Iag Bari, Club Stylin’ and Klezmer favourites. Enjoy their heartfelt music on the 11th of July 2017 at The White House after the screening of this year’s film “Tangerines”. For an introduction to their music, click here.
“What can I say…You were all fantastic. We had a wonderful time. It was exactly what I was hoping for.” – Brett Murray
TRAILER
