A Fire There

In calm, beautifully composed shots, this film follows three young men, lifelong friends, in an Armenian community in Georgia. Now that they have finished school, important life choices await them. Henrikh wants to study in Tbilisi so he can pursue a career in politics and work for democracy; his two friends feel they have learned enough—but what next? Karlen is following in his father’s footsteps as a shepherd, but also considering looking for work in Russia. Hakob works at the local cheese factory and hopes that his long-distance relationship will one day lead to marriage.

The three are filmed without commentary over an extended period, during which their bravado as a group slowly gives way to a more mature, realistic view of life. Echoes of the Soviet years resonate in the stories of older members of the community and in the ruined factories through which the young men wander.

Is a life of fixed social relationships and the rhythm of hard work still a realistic option? Caught between familiar surroundings and a world of social media and big dreams, this generation risks being left in limbo.