Da Mere Gatenda stands as a powerful entry in contemporary Georgian cinema. It challenges audiences to look directly at the ugly realities of domestic entrapment, making it a must-watch for fans of psychological realism and intense character studies.
(internationally released as And the Sun Rises ) is a gripping 2022 Georgian drama film directed by acclaimed auteur Dito Tsintsadze. The movie is a minimalist, chamber-style psychological drama that dissects the dark, suffocating cycles of generational trauma, domestic abuse, and emotional manipulation. Featuring a tiny cast and set almost entirely within a single, claustrophobic location, the film serves as a haunting exploration of human frailty and the toxic bonds that tie families together. Key Information Overview Original Title Da mere gatenda (და მერე გათენდა) International Title And the Sun Rises Release Date October 18, 2022 Director & Screenwriter Dito Tsintsadze Runtime 1 hour 30 minutes Country of Origin Lead Cast Temiko Chichinadze, Anna Chipovskaya, Andro Chichinadze Primary Genre Psychological Drama The Narrative Arc: A House Built on Trauma
Put together, translates roughly to: "The mother-stillness of carrying the unspoken truth."
The film offers a stark, non-glamorous depiction of what it means to care for an ailing and difficult parent. It challenges the idealized notion of family duty. Nika’s life has been subjugated to his father's needs, leading to a suffocating existence where his own ambitions, relationships, and even his sense of self have been eroded. The house itself, "run-down" and "soon to be sold," mirrors the decay of their relationship and the uncertain future. Da Mere Gatenda
Nastya's arrival introduces an element of the outside world, exposing the absolute toxicity of the father-son dynamic. Rather than backing down, Sandro turns his manipulative glare toward her, exposing cracks in the young couple’s relationship and testing the limits of Nika's loyalty. Cast and Performances
Delivers a chilling performance as the patriarchal tyrant whose shifting expressions transition seamlessly from a helpless invalid to a malicious mastermind.
you are acknowledging that you survived the darkness. It is a declaration of survival. It’s the breath you take after a storm has passed and you realize the foundation of your house—and your soul—is still there. Living the Dawn Da Mere Gatenda stands as a powerful entry
The film's delicate status quo is violently shattered with the unexpected arrival of (portrayed by the acclaimed Russian actress Anna Chipovskaya), Nika's girlfriend. She arrives without warning, stepping unwittingly into a pressure cooker of resentment, control, and trauma.
The technical and creative framework of the film relies on a tightly knit group of regular collaborators in European independent cinema. Specification Dito Tsintsadze International Title And the Sun Rises Release Date October 18, 2022 Running Time 1 hour 30 minutes Production Companies Vineyard Films, Runaway Films Cinematography Gela Chinchaladze Music Composer Zaza Miminoshvili Plot and Narrative Arc
"Da mere gatenda" is a Georgian production, distinguished by contributions from an international cast and a director known for his nuanced storytelling. The movie is a minimalist, chamber-style psychological drama
What follows is a psychological chess match. Sandro, confined to his body but sharp as a blade, sees Nastya's arrival as an opportunity. He unleashes his full "manipulative powers," turning the house into a twisted arena where he pits the couple against each other. Through "real-time or dream-like revelations," Sandro weaponizes painful memories and buried family secrets, forcing Nika to confront a past he has tried to suppress and pushing Nastya into a position of doubt and despair. The film is less about action and more about the slow, agonizing unraveling of relationships under extreme psychological pressure.
The Georgian title, Da mere gatenda , translates literally to "And then dawn broke" or "And then the sun rose" . This title acts as a thematic anchor. It poses a vital question to the audience: does the dawn bring literal liberation and a fresh start for Nika and Nastya, or does the rising sun merely illuminate the inescapable ruins of their reality? Behind the Scenes: Production Credits
The film represents a collaborative effort primarily driven by the vision of filmmaker Dito Tsintsadze. Below is an overview of the core creative team behind the production: Crew Member Dito Tsintsadze Producers Constantine Lusignan, Lado Margania Cinematography Gela Chinchaladze Music Composer Zaza Miminoshvili Film Editor Nodar Nozadze Production Companies Runaway Films, Vineyard Films Core Plot and Storyline
Closely allied with memory is Gatenda’s concern with identity and belonging. Her characters—whether rendered in fiction, poetry, or memoir—navigate liminal spaces: between homeland and exile, tradition and modernity, silence and speech. Through them, she probes questions of agency and voice, asking who is permitted to tell certain stories and under what conditions. Her prose often foregrounds marginal perspectives, unsettling dominant accounts and creating space for plural truths.
From that day on, Aria was hailed as a hero in Gatenda, and her instrument was revered as a symbol of the gateway to the Mother Goddess. The phrase "Da Mere Gatenda" became synonymous with the power of creativity, harmony, and the connection between the mortal world and the mystical realms.