Ana Urushadze, a Georgian filmmaker, discussed the state of her country’s film industry while attending the Sarajevo Film Festival, where her second feature film entered competition. She characterized the situation as dire, noting that industry professionals including directors, producers, writers, and performers have organized a boycott of the Georgian National Film Center over multiple grievances, with censorship serving as a primary concern. Urushadze expressed particular worry about emerging talents being unable to advance their careers during this period.
Her film, titled Supporting Role, marks her second feature and arrives nine years after her debut work Scary Mother premiered at the same festival. The narrative centers on a aging Georgian film actor named Niaz who initially rejects an unconventional role offered by a young female director before experiencing a transformative journey through the city. Urushadze described the work as an exploration of how individuals can escape constraints imposed by others and take ownership of their own lives.
The director drew inspiration from personal casting experiences during her first film, recalling encounters with older actors who questioned her credibility as a young filmmaker. She noted that generational themes naturally emerged during production, including observations about the gap between younger and older performers shaped by different historical periods. Lead actor Dato Bakhtadze delivered what Urushadze characterized as a vulnerable and committed performance.
Despite acknowledging the challenging environment facing Georgian cinema, Urushadze expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the festival, viewing it as a chance to connect with industry peers and pursue international opportunities. She indicated plans to develop her next project, though expressed uncertainty about whether it would maintain Georgian production status given current funding constraints in her home country.
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