The ending’s impact in this intriguing movie lies in its delivery of an exceptionally poignant conclusion and the subsequent moral reflection it necessitates. “Repentance,” a surreal and thought-provoking film by Georgian director Tengiz Abuladze, crafted in 1984 but withheld from release for three years, delves into a coded criticism of Stalinism. However, its suppression was not solely due to this critique but also because of the lingering reverence for Stalin’s legacy within the USSR, hindering a thorough reevaluation of the atrocities committed during that era. The revival of “Repentance” accentuates its peculiar theatricality and madness, resonating more profoundly than ever before.
This cinematic piece, partly functioning as a peculiar allegory, serves as an absurdist social-surrealist denouncement of authority and governmental brutality. Similar to works like that of Abuladze’s contemporary, Eldar Shengelaia, it eerily foreshadows the imminent collapse of the Soviet empire. The film transitions from a tone of detached irony to a crescendo of genuine emotional turmoil and distress towards its conclusion, shedding light on the significance of its title.
In the contemporary setting of the 1980s, the narrative unfolds around the solemn funeral of Varlam Aravidze, a despotic small-town mayor and party official, whose tyrannical rule instilled a legacy of fear. The unearthly events following his burial, instigated by a local woman named Keti, unveil a haunting reminder of his oppressive regime. As buried traumas resurface, Keti’s childhood memories intertwine with hallucinatory sequences, blurring the lines between reality and nightmare.
The film masterfully portrays Aravidze’s megalomaniacal persona, drawing parallels to historical dictators like Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, and Mosley. Despite the comedic facade of his character, the film starkly contrasts this with the brutality he inflicts. Through the character of Tornike, Aravidze’s grandson, the film navigates themes of complicity and the struggle to confront painful truths. The surreal imagery serves as a narrative device to circumvent censorship while also symbolizing a psychological defense mechanism against unbearable truths.
“Repentance” stands as a cinematic gem that resonates with the works of filmmakers like Terry Gilliam and Emir Kusturica, possibly influencing and being influenced by them. Its thematic resonance can be seen in later works such as Armando Iannucci’s “The Death of Stalin,” serving as a dark yet impactful political statement against historical amnesia.