Wet Sand (Georgian)

I have always enjoyed independent films who have something different to say and are about 'different' and possible weird fucked up people in their own way. Set in a small coastal town of Georgia near Black Sea, sure this film deals with homosexuality but more than that its about this small tight community and its small mindedness and prejudices against anything thats not normal and what it does to people who are affected by it.

In a beautiful opening shot, an old man is fully dressed waiting for someone for dinner, wrapping a letter in a wine bottle and looking at the full moon listening to sound of waves. Next day, the news spread that the old man committed suicide, since he had cancer for few years and couldn't bear the pain. THis is a very small community where everyone knows everyone and for some reason the people have resented the old man since he always kept to himself. Except for old Amnon and a young girl Fleshka who run a beach cafe Wet Sand. This duo are also outsiders in their own way, since Fleshka wants to leave the town. The old man's granddaughter Moe arrives to take care of his funeral and somehow manages to warm up to Amnon and Fleshka. In a moment of tenderness while funeral preparation is going on, she realizes the relationship that existed between Amnon and the old man for more than two decades. She is supportive since she is different herself. She questions Amnon who tells her how it all happened and how they have managed to keep it all hidden. Soon more secrets are revealed on how the old man died. Fleshka takes a liking for Moe, whose sexuality is not clearly defined. After old man's burial, Amnon opens the letter and reads and drinks wine and dies. The two lovers eventually reunited after death but the secret is soon known to the town and in a fit of rage they burn down the cafe, which unknowingly they helped Fleshka and Moe to cremate the two dead bodies. The film ends at a positive note when Fleshka and Moe have decided to stay back together and face the challenges os the small town mentality together without fear.

This film is definitely not going to be everyone's cup of tea. Wet Sand could be defined as a melancholic love story with few mysteries thrown around. But I enjoyed how every situation and scenario and secrets were all dealt with sensitivity and respect. None of the scenes go over the top, just so that drama can be created. The people of the town are villains and they show their true colors but the film stays focused. We are slowly told how the old man and Amnon had to share their love for each other, hiding from the prying eyes of the locals. Gradually, we also get to know the painful truths behind Eliko’s estrangement from his daughter and his eventual suicide. Thanks to their selfless love and the sacrifices made by the old men, Moe learns to really love: unconditionally, and perhaps for the very first time. The use of sound, light and waves and large landscape shots only enhance the visuals of just how small this community is and in turn how narrow minded they are in their thinking. There is also a cop who even though comes from Tbilisi but is himself drowning with the old people mentality and his own discriminations. It is interesting to see all different viewpoints. The actors are all brilliant. It feels as if I am prying into a real life situation of a small town. Hats off to the brilliant writing and direction. Although, it is particular to a small town, something about this film represents all of us, reminding us of the extent to which feelings - real ones, burning with truth - can become powerful weapons for human rights especially for LGBT people.

This film is both heartbreaking and brave, nuanced and earnest, with sublime visuals and the sound bringing us closer to the film's environment. A story of 20 plus years of love and intolerance, a story full of sadness, but also of hope for the future and a story that's bound to touch you in one way or other. I am glad I didn't give up and stuck to it. (8/10)