The Swimmer

The Swimmer

1981. USSR. Written and directed by Irakli Kvirikadze. With Gudea Burduli, Ruslan Mikaberidze, Badur Zuladze. This amusing, artfully crafted tale of three generations of long-distance swimmers is told from the perspective of Anton Dumbadze, whose legendary grandfather, Durmishkan, and father, Domenti, were each obsessed with the idea of swimming the Black Sea from Batumi to Poti—twice the distance of the English Channel. Filled with alluring glimpses of Georgian folklore and a searing critique of Stalinist purges, The Swimmer had a fitful history: shot in 1981, post-production was interrupted before a Georgian version could be completed; three years later, a shortened cut of the film was released. In Georgian; English subtitles. 105 min.