In the suburbs of Tbilisi, Georgia, seamstress Nutsa shares an apartment with her two young children and awaits the return of her lover, Goga, who has six years left on his prison sentence. Following a surreal wedding ceremony in the confines of the prison, the couple is only afforded rare visits and phone calls to keep their relationship alive. Confronted with the prospect of raising her children alone, Nutsa faces difficult decisions about her life and livelihood. Should she keep her family together or maintain her own freedom?

First-time director, Tinatin Kajrishvili, creates an authentic portrait of what life is like for many Georgian women, based on her personal experiences as the wife of a prisoner. Featuring a stunning turn by lead actress Mari Kitia, Brides is an intimate look at love and absence, and a subtle indictment of Georgia's harsh penal system.

-Ian Hollander

Directed by

Tinatin Kajrishvili