Biblioteka (2014)

A library somewhere in a small town in Georgia. The documentary follows the librarians' attempts to keep themselves busy in a library that seems to have almost no visitors. The librarians, a motley crew, don't seem to get on so well. There are small eruptions of irritation, but also moments of forgiveness. We learn that the situation is not good. Ana Tsimintia's Biblioteka adopts a successful fly-on-the-wall tecnique. The odd thing about the film is the juxtaposition of dusty, deserted rooms and books on the one hand, and the heightened relations and fierce conflicts among the librarians, on the other hand. Even though this documentary has no plot - the only thing we see and hear is a group of women talking and moving about in the shabby library - watching it was a captivating experience.

Bakhmaro heisst Paradies (2011)

Finland is lucky to still have the state-funded TV channel that broadcasts odd documentaries and films from all over the world. Bakhmaro heisst Paradies (dir. Salomé Jashi) is about a restaurant in Chockatauri, Georgia. The restaurant, situated in a dilapidated brick building, is up and running every day, ready to welcome fancy guests, but there are no customers. The camera pans across the strangely painted room, a room that has become a sort of desolate non-place. The owners talk about the future, or what, to them, seem to be the lack of one. This was a surprisingly moving documentary that managed to show huge existential worries in an everyday setting of the small, unsuccessful, business. One day, there is a visit from the Party. The restaurant workers complain about the situation, and the party members shrug: what can they do? Besides that, there is waiting, waiting - for something, for nothing. The film approaches its subject with almost tender, barely visible humor. You can watch the film here.