Pirosmani

The dilemma between artistic integrity and political compromise wouldn’t mean much to the most original of Georgian painters, Niko Pirosmani (1862-1918), but it was an existential matter to Soviet artists in the 1960s. Shengelaia addressed it in this biopic that is very free and very thorough at the same time, as if the stern and radical freedom of Pirosmani could be put forward as an ideal. Another major painter, Avto Varazi, is memorable playing the main role.