The Oscar-nominated gem Tangerines has gripped audiences with its fresh and thoughtful perspective on the realities of warfare, receiving high praise for its vivid anti-war narrative.
The gripping 2013 Estonian-Georgian masterpiece, Tangerines, conceived by Zaza Urushadze through his roles as producer, writer, and director, delves deeply into the harrowing realities and themes of conflict, blossoming peace, and the resounding call for pacifism.
Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous 1992–1993 Abkhazian war, Tangerines unfolds in a strife-stricken breakaway territory of Georgia during 1992, where devastation and turmoil reign.
At the heart of Tangerines’ poignant tale is Ivo — an Estonian citizen resolved to remain amidst the chaos to tend to his tangerine harvest — who courageously takes in a casualty of the relentless conflict at his doorstep.
Attaining an Oscar nod for Best Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards marked an unprecedented achievement for Estonia, with Tangerines being the nation’s first film to be honoured thus.
The globally-lauded flick garnered another nomination at the Golden Globes, vying for Best Foreign Language Film during the event’s 72nd ceremony, reports the Mirror US.
Shot on location in the scenic Guria region of Georgia, the cinematic work features star performances by Lembit Ulfsak, Giorgi Nakashidze, Elmo Nüganen, and Mikheil (Misha) Meskhi.
Commanding an impressive 88 per cent rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, Tangerines has enchanted reviewers, eliciting accolades such as: “It is tremendous storytelling: engaging, intelligent, and with some lovely touches.”
One reviewer hailed the film, saying: “You’d find that in investing 87 minutes of your time for Tangerines, you had viewed not just a poignant anti-war film, but a beautifully realised cinematic parable.”
Meanwhile, an enchanted critic heaped praises on the piece by Urushadze: “Pitch-perfect performances and Urushadze’s careful unwinding of the story ensure Tangerines is never less than riveting.”
Delving into its profound resonance, another critic remarked: “Although the subject of civil war within the former Soviet countries has been tackled in other movies, this retelling is one of the most concise and affecting.”
Echoing the acclaim, a member of the audience described it as: “A gentle and delicate warning about death and life, wars and humanity! Beautiful filming and acting.”
Yet another enthusiast was deeply moved, sharing: “What a powerful film. This was one of the best films I’ve seen in a while. The message was outstanding. Deserves an applaud.”
Accolades continued with a cinema-goer who believed the Oscar nod was well-earned: “Wonderfully acted and the cinematography is memorable. Compare the warmth and colour of the tangerine orchard with the bleakness of the land surrounding it. Oscar nominated, superbly acted. It is a striking anti-war film.”
Meanwhile, another audience member found themselves unexpectedly moved by the film, remarking: “Not just another war movie. The story feels real and human and far from the front lines yet deeply entrenched in the struggles. It surprised me to like this film so much.”
Tangerines is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video