Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry is a tender, introspective drama that explores themes of independence, desire, and self-discovery. The film centres on Etero, a 48-year-old woman living in a quiet rural Georgian village, who has spent much of her life alone, content with her routines running a grocery/convenience store. Unconventional in her community, Etero values her autonomy, resisting societal pressures to marry or conform to traditional roles. This often puts her at odds with the other women in the village, her so called friends, who love to gossip round a large table, sometimes including her sometimes not. A sometimes catty relationship.

One day she goes to the river to pick blackberries and slides off a cliff. She nearly dies. This event changes her life and view on life forever! So, acts as a catalyst, resulting in her life taking a turn …. she begins an unexpected romantic relationship with a married wholesale delivery man Murman, a reserved man who awakens emotions she thought were long dormant. This new relationship forces Etero to confront her feelings about love, intimacy, and what it means to live freely in a world where social expectations weigh heavily.  

Naveriani's direction is lyrical and contemplative, capturing the nuances of Etero's emotional world with patience and subtlety. The Georgian landscape, depicted with earthy tones and tranquil vistas, serves as a beautiful metaphor for Etero's internal journey—vast, solitary, yet quietly alive. Eka Chavleishvili delivers a stunning performance as Etero, portraying her character's complex mix of strength, vulnerability, and quiet defiance. We observe Etero as she struggles to come to terms with her life - past, present and future.  This is dreamy, meandering film that aims to show what happens when life suddenly happens … and as you will see happens in a big way.

Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry has received critical acclaim, winning awards at various international film festivals, including the Best Feature Award at the 2023 Tbilisi International Film Festival. Eka Chavleishvili also won several best actress awards and many more nominations. It's easy to see why. This film is a rich meditation on personal freedom and the choices women face as they age in a traditional society, celebrating the resilience of a woman who dares to live on her own terms.

60 non-member tickets are available to purchase for this screening. Non-member tickets are £5 (full-time students £3) and can be purchased in advance from The Exchange's Box Office: online at http://exchangetwickenham.co.uk/events, by telephone 020 8240 2399 or in person. To ensure that you secure a ticket and avoid disappointment, we strongly recommend early pre-booking via The Exchange.

Should any non-member tickets remain available on the night of screenings, they can be purchased from The Exchange's box office on the ground floor. Purchases are by contactless payments only.

Richmond Film Society was formed in 1963 and has since screened nearly 900 films. Our objective was, and remains, to bring our community the very best in World Cinema. Our seasons run from September to June and attract an aggregate audience of around 5,000.