A film suitable for arthouses, Beginning is set in a rural town outside Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, where a small group of Jehovah’s Witnesses practices their faith. Directed by Dea Kulumbegashvili, the film centers on the psychological, emotional, and religious struggles of Yana (la Sukhitashvili), the religious leader’s wife. Using many long shots and still takes, the film moves at a very slow pace. For example, one still shot is over five minutes in length as Yana lays on her back in contemplation outside in the woods. It is also filmed in a 1:33 aspect ratio.
Yana’s husband David (Rati Oneli) goes to Tbilisi to meet with church elders and is absent for a portion of the film. There is an eerie sense of expectation, with many dark scenes while he is away. There is little background noise except for natural sounds such as the rushing stream; the film lacks the customary music score.
Beginning opens with Yana directing parishioners into the spartan Kingdom Hall for a service. After David and Yana greet men, women, and children, David begins his sermon with the story of Abraham who is about to sacrifice his son Isaac as a test of faith, when Jehovah intervenes and stops him. As David starts to discuss the moral of the story, the church doors unexpectedly open, and a firebomb is thrown into the building; fire and panic ensue.
Everyone gets out safely and detective Alex (Kakha Kintsurashvili) is briefly seen with a grin on his face as the fire burns. The police ask David not to press charges, even though the perpetrators are captured on the security camera. David leaves for Tbilisi about a new prayer house. Yana tells David she wants to be alone and stays home. It is clear Yana is unhappy and dissatisfied with her life; she tries, but finds it difficult to live under her husband’s rigid control, and she worries about her son Giorgi’s safety outside their house.
Detective Alex visits Yana and makes the same request to drop the investigation, as it is clear the minority religious sect is not welcome there. Alex asks inappropriate sexual questions of Yana and leaves. Late one evening, Alex catches Yana walking amidst what is picturesque during the day: lovely pink flowers, the rushing rocky stream, and nearby woods. Shot at a distance and with only the sounds of the rushing water for the background, Alex throws Yana to the rocky ground and rapes her.
When David returns and finds out about the assault, he goes to the police station and withdraws his complaint. The marriage is fractured and the final scenes bring Yana’s struggles to a shocking finish. This film may be of interest to libraries collecting art films of new innovative directors. Strong Optional. Aud: C, P.