April

Nina (Ia Sukhitashvili) is an ob-gyn living an austere life in eastern Georgia at the foot of the Greater Caucasus mountains. Like the landscapes that surround her, Nina possesses a stark and rugged character — easily distinguishable in a place where independent women can find themselves at a disadvantage. Nina endures the hardships of life, and allows her pain to fuel her ambitions. Despite constant obstacles, she is steadfast in her choices and grounded by her mission. As well as doing her ob-gyn job, tending to those in the throes of excruciating labour, she performs clandestine abortions for desperate women on her own time.

When a baby dies under her care shortly after delivery at the hospital, Nina’s morals and professionalism come under scrutiny and she is investigated when rumours about the illegal abortions reach the administration. While she has some protection from David (Kakha Kintsurashvili), a colleague and former lover — as well as receiving the benefit of the doubt from the head doctor (Merab Ninidze) — outside pressures are mounting, Nina’s reputation threatens the health of the clinic, and there is a great deal at stake for her.

A powerful convergence of existence and womanhood, April is the second feature of writer-director Dea Kulumbegashvili, whose film Beginning had its World Premiere at the Festival in 2020. Shot by Arseni Khachaturan (Bones and All, The Idol, Beginning), edited by Jacopo Ramella Pajrin, and with an original score by Matthew Herbert, April is a tour de force.

DOROTA LECH

Content advisory: violence, sexual violence, mature themes