Gardens in Autumn

The minister, as a member of the political elite, has a simple life and enjoys without hesitation the privileges that his position provides for him - starting with a demanding mistress and ending with a government villa. However, a union demonstration shakes his position to such an extent that resignation seems like a reasonable solution. The minister returns back to his hometown, back to his roots, and to his friends and acquaintances. Paradoxically, he realizes that he feels much better here than in his prestigious position. If anyone thinks that I have just spoiled something, they are mistaken. In the case of Iosseliani's film, it is not about the plot at all, but rather about the style, mood, and poetry. The director uses absurd exaggeration, populates the image with bizarre characters, and employs peculiar humor that will not appeal to everyone. However, I get the feeling that Iosseliani sometimes gets lost in his poetry and loses the key to what he wants to communicate to his viewers. On the other hand, compared to Havel's Leaving, which is somewhat about the same thing, it is in my eyes the unequivocal winner, simply because it is at home in the world of cinema, while Havel couldn't free himself from theatrical thinking. Overall impression: 60%. (07/04/2016)