13 Tzameti

Rating : 7/10
Running Time : 86 Minutes
Release Date : January ‘2006
Director & Writer : Gela Babluani;
Starring : George Babluani, Pascal Bongard, Serge Chambon, Olga Legrand, Aurelien Recoing

I’ve rarely seen a film where you didn’t know what the hell it was about till halfway through but still enjoyed it. It even managed to keep my wife from sleeping and many years of marriage can testify that its not a task easily accomplished. Also, when you do find out what is happening it does take your breath away, a bit.


The Georgian director weaves together a really nice black and white film where the lead character, Sebastien (his real life brother), a poor house handyman, upon not getting his full payment takes an envelope meant for the now dead owner of the house. The envelope contains nothing sinister, just train tickets and a hotel address and at first the cloak and dagger routine surprises him. And then when he finds out what its about, he tries to escape but by then its too late.

The brothers seem destined for bigger things in life. Gela directs very well and though the end is kind of predictable, keeps us completely hooked with some deft touches and skilful turns. And George perfects the innocent man, who doesn’t quite know whats happening, merely follows an impulse which lands him in all sorts of trouble. And Aurelien Recoing is excellent as the aggressive, winking #6. Tzameti, by the way, is Georgian for thirteen.


I can imagine what they’ve shown still happening today, in some corner of the developed or developing world. Testosterone, the gambling instinct and a vicarious competitive nature can combine to make us do funny things. Men, after all, will always be men.

Thanks to UTV World Movies for sending me the DVD