Panopticon

Sandro (played by remarkable newcomer Data Chachua) is an introverted teenager growing up in Tbilisi, with his mother working abroad illegally and his father about to abandon him to be ordained as an Orthodox monk. Sandro struggles to reconcile his duty to God and his awakening sexuality, which manifests in uncontrollable ways and leads him to questionable behaviour. He develops an erotic fixation with his football teammate Lasha’s mother (beautifully played by leading actor Ia Sukhitashvili). He easily succumbs to Lasha’s influence and interest in the rising Christian neo-fascist movement.

A remarkably crafted film with an unexpected and uplifting ending, George Sikharulidze’s debut feature, received a special commendation award from this year’s Karlovy Vary festival jury.

To close the 2024 festival, there will be a glass of Georgian wine after the screening and Q&A in the cinema foyer.