From the Georgian film vault, “Qvevri”, a black and white short directed by Irakli Kvirikadze, comically highlights life in the wine growing region of Kakheti. Gogia brings home a qvevri (the Georgian winemaking jug) made in Imereti to Kakheti. The qvevri, traveling across the country, cracks along the way. Gogia convinces a qvevri maker to fix it, but he finds himself stuck inside of it instead.  

The director of the film- Kvirikadze- was born in Batumi in 1939. He graduated from Tbilisi University, and moved to directing films shortly after. For many years he lived and worked in the USA, France, and Germany and was a mentor to many international screenwriters and directors.

The oldest known winemaking tool- the qvevri- discovered in eastern Georgia, dates as far back as 6000 BCE. The qvevri is not only an important historical discovery, but the earliest evidence of Georgia’s lasting cultural tradition. Unlike most Old World wines, Georgians don’t traditionally use barrels to ferment, store, or age wines. Georgian wines’ fresh taste can be attributed to this organic fermentation process. The qvevri is interlinked with all forms of Georgian culture, including the arts. 

We highly recommend this Georgian comedy classic! 

Check out the IMBD page for Qvevri (1970) here: