13 Tzameti DVD

13 Tzameti DVD > Reviews > 13 is the lucky number, or is it?

Drama - Director: Gela Babluani - Classification: TBA more

2 offers from £4.48 to £5.98

Overall user rating 13 Tzameti DVD 1 review | Write a review | Add product to list





Please wait ....
Rate this product:  
 
All 13 Tzameti DVD reviews
13 is the lucky number, or is it?
A review by immortal_pheebs on 13 Tzameti DVD
July 19th, 2006


Author's product rating:   13 Tzameti DVD - rated by immortal_pheebs

Did you enjoy it? Loved it 
Story Outstanding 
Characters / Performances Outstanding 
Special Effects Standard 
How does it compare to similar films? Outstanding 

Advantages: gripping, intriguing, black & white film, brilliant acting
Disadvantages: none really !

Recommend to potential buyers: yes 

Full review
** Cast **

George Babluani - Sébastien

(yeah I put only one guy because this film is all about him really..!)

** Synopsis **

Sébastien is a Georgian immigrant (Tzameti is 13 in Georgian) whose poor family is living in France. Life is different for this family. He works as a roof repairer, and he is doing a job for Jean-Francois Godon (Philippe Passon), who is a morphine addict. Sébastien overhears conversations between Godon and others, which suggests that Godon will be receiving a large amount of money soon, through some sort of activity. A cop spies on Godon nearby.

Godon suddenly dies from a morphine overdose, after he receives a letter containing a receipt for a paid hotel room and a train ticket. This letter is blown out of the window and is intercepted by Sébastien. Lured by the prospect of money and intrigued by the instructions the letter contains, Sébastien decides to follow the instructions, pretending to be the late Godon. Little did he know that he will be plunged into the clandestine world of gamblers, who take their chances on human lives.

** Acting **

This film rests solely on the lead character, Sébastien (George Babluani; George is the younger brother of the director and writer of this film, Géla Babluani). Considering this is George's acting debut, he did amazingly in it. I would have thought that he is an experienced actor. He conveyed all the emotions in the film: fear, shock and surprise at this undercovered gambling world; the need for money (which I think he showed well; just through several dialogue, I could feel that he wanted his family to live better and that he cared for them a lot); the need for survival; submission. All these through only one actor as he progressed through his journey.

** Plot **

Brilliantly written. The Georgian Géla Babluani did a good job here. The film starts on a mystery (Godon walking out to sea and fainting); the viewer is immediately drawn into the film. One wonders why he fainted, and once we know why, we are immediately thrown into another mystery. The tension is sustained throughout the film. What the gamblers are betting on and HOW they are carrying the bet out is dawned on us slowly but surely - I thought that was nicely done. There was no one who said to the camera "Now you are going to ********" (I am not going to spoil it for you).

** Director **

I thought Géla Babluani directed this film brilliantly. Using black and white film, I guess it increases the tension and also remove some gorey blood redness that will otherwise overcome the film. He didn't want to shock the viewer with just blood and more blood (we can watch trashy horrors for those), but the fact that people are prepared to bet on human lives, and the different emotions that the partcipants and gamblers go through. The participants, although doing it for the money, while on the platform, seem to only care for their lives. While the gamblers couldn't care less, they only wanted to win.

** Personal opinion **

A really nicely done film. Great plot, great acting, great director. A shrewd observation of how people's emotions varied and how humans can drop so low for money and how humans are prepared to do unbelievable things for money and family.

** Awards won **

Sundance Film Festival (Grand Jury Prize)
Venice Film Festival (Luigi De Laurentiis Award & Netpac Award) 




Pictures for the review
Display pictures


Picture 9130627 tb
13_tzameti

Write your own review




More details
Soundtrack Good 
How does it compare to others by the same director? Not applicable 
Value for Money Good 
What format are you reviewing? Film only 

Evaluate this review
How helpful would this review be to someone making a buying decision?
Rating guidelines

   

Comments on this review
More options
All 13 Tzameti DVD reviews

Compare prices for 13 Tzameti DVD

2 out of 2 offers for 13 Tzameti DVD   sorted by Price  
13 Tzameti 13 Tzameti
Release Date: 2006-04-03, Rating Suitable for 15 years and over,
£ 4.48 Amazon Marketplace

Postage & PackagingCheck Site.
AvailabilityUsually dispatched within 2 working days...
Amazon Marketplace

Products you might be interested in
C.S.I. - Crime Scene Investigation - Vegas - Series 1-5 (Box Set)C.S.I. - Crime Scene Investigation - Vegas - Series 1-5 (Box Set)

Drama - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over

 2 reviews

Buy now for only £ 79.95

The Beast (Wide Screen)The Beast (Wide Screen)

Production Year: 1975 - Drama - Director: Walerian Borowczyk - Original Language: French - Classification: 18 years and over

 2 reviews

Buy now for only £ 9.53

Catherine Cookson Complete Collection DVDCatherine Cookson Complete Collection DVD

Drama - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over

This product has not yet been reviewed. Rate it now

Buy now for only £ 49.97

Band Of Brothers (Tin)

Production Year: 2001 - Drama - Director: Phil Alden Robinson, Richard Loncraine, Mikael Salomon, David Nutter, Tom Hanks, David Leland, David Frankel, Tony To - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over

 6 reviews

Buy now for only £ 17.50

A Common Thread (aka Brodeuses) (Subtitled)A Common Thread (aka Brodeuses) (Subtitled)

Drama - Director: Eleonore Faucher - Original Language: French - Classification: 12 years and over

This product has not yet been reviewed. Rate it now

Buy now for only £ 6.51

Harry's Game DVDHarry's Game DVD

Production Year: 1983 - Drama - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over

 1 review

Buy now for only £ 6.59




Are you the manufacturer / provider of 13 Tzameti DVD? Click here