“First you eat. Then you argue.”
synopsis
During the war in the early 1990s between Georgia and separatist forces in Abkhazia, an elderly Estonian man named Ivo remains behind in his village to harvest his tangerine crop. When two wounded soldiers from opposing sides end up under his roof, Ivo reluctantly nurses them back to health—forcing the enemies to coexist under one fragile peace inside his home.
pairs well with ...
mini-review
Tangerines is a quiet and deeply human war drama that focuses not on battles but on the fragile moments of compassion that can exist even in conflict. The film’s simple setting and small cast allow the story’s moral questions about hatred, revenge, and humanity to resonate powerfully.
A quiet evening and viewers who appreciate thoughtful war dramas.
Absurdist's Corner
Two soldiers sworn to kill each other end up sharing meals at the same kitchen table because their host refuses to allow any fighting inside his house.
fun facts
• Although set in Georgia, the film was produced by Estonia and shot largely in Estonian language.
• The movie received an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
• Much of the story unfolds inside a single farmhouse, emphasizing the uneasy truce between the characters.