How a banned 1984 film fuels Georgia's modern protests against power

A 1984 Georgian film, Repentance, has resurfaced in protests against the current government in Tbilisi. Directed by Tengiz Abuladze, the movie was once banned by Soviet authorities for its sharp critique of authoritarian rule. Now, nearly 40 years later, its powerful imagery is being used by demonstrators to challenge unchecked political power.

The film's themes of repression and accountability have struck a chord with activists, who have displayed stills from the movie during recent rallies.

The story of Repentance unfolds in an unnamed Georgian town after the death of its long-serving mayor, Varlam Aravidze. His surname, meaning 'no one's son,' hints at the film's deeper themes of unaccountable leadership. The plot thickens when Ketevan Barateli, a woman arrested for desecrating Varlam's grave, reveals at her trial that he orchestrated brutal repressions, including the deaths of her parents and many others.

The film weaves in haunting flashbacks of Ketevan's life and the town's dark history. Varlam's grandson, Tornike, sides with her, while his son, Abel, refuses to acknowledge his father's crimes. Tornike even helps capture the grave desecrator, adding another layer to the family's conflict. Completed in 1984, Repentance was shelved for three years due to Soviet censorship. When finally released, it won the FIPRESCI Prize at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival. Its bold storytelling and striking visuals left a lasting mark on cinema. Decades later, protesters in Tbilisi have revived its imagery. In late 2024, they displayed photos of the film's dictator character, Avtandil Varlamov, to symbolise resistance against modern authoritarianism. The film's legacy now extends beyond the screen, resonating in the streets as a call for justice.

The reappearance of Repentance in protests highlights its enduring relevance. A film once suppressed for exposing Soviet-era atrocities now serves as a visual protest tool. Its themes of memory, guilt, and resistance continue to inspire those demanding accountability today.