Otar Iosseliani-Iko shashvi mgalobeli ('Once Upon a Time There Was a Singing Blackbird') (1970)

Iosseliani’s contemporary fables of modern life and traditional values have been compared to the classic comedies of French master Jacques Tati. Shrewdly whimsical and filmed with a poetic casualness, Iosseliani’s universe is one of joyous pessimism. (-DVD back cover)




There are many films which are made,were made and will be made.But the thing to remember is that a film that is a motion picture or a feature film is of no use at all if it just remain a plastic material (plastic film on which a film is shot).In the same manner there are many great filmmakers who don't make film.What they do is to make reality visible on a film.I am thrilled to say that the great Georgian master Otar Iosseliani is one such rare filmmaker who is a great painter of human sentiments on the plastic material.Iko Shashvi Mgalobeli is one of his best works.My personal opinion is that it has ample elements which are common to our daily existence. This is an ideal reason for admiring this film.The essence of this film lies in its championing the cause of simplicity as it is the best human virtue.Have you ever wondered whether a film can have therapeutic effect ? No.In that case please watch this film.Its sad disposition will surely transform you into a mature person. (http://imdb.com/title/tt0151035/usercomments)




The communist regime did not like at all Ioseliani's movie, which became "widely" visible only a long time after it was shot. The hero is rather lazy and does not care much about the communist ethos of the time and the ideal of a whole nation at work. The film is about being happy far from a madly competing crowd and Ioseliani's message may also apply to today's capitalistic society. (http://imdb.com/title/tt0151035/usercomments)




The main character has no substantial relationships with anyone but especially not with himself. He is constantly fiddling with his hands and partying with acquaintances or flirting with an endless parade of women. He has ambitions to write music and tailor a suit but he's too easily distracted and never finishes anything. (http://imdb.com/title/tt0151035/usercomments)





Simply put, he lacks introspection. To make that point clear the director has the main character repeatedly peering through scopes, cameras, microscopes and telescopes. He's constantly, obliviously exploring the world around him, but he never contemplates himself. He makes time for and promises favors to anyone and everyone who randomly stumbles into his life, but never has time for himself. (http://imdb.com/title/tt0151035/usercomments)