#adhagajkfff thank you so so much

[notasapleasure]

ვააა, ძალიან დიდი მადლობა! <3 This is awesome, a few names are familiar but I’m gonna enjoy looking up a bunch of the others, thank you! Your blog is also giving me the daily reminder to watch M&M that I needed...

Hi! (1/3) Please don't feel obliged to answer this (publicly or at all), I don't want to be a pain or a drag. I'm just messaging to ask you what sort of things you'd recommend for those outside Georgia to do to support LGBT+ people and causes there? I watched ATWD this year and the closest thing I can compare it to is falling in love - I've never been to the country, had never thought about the language before, but it just...got inside me.

(2/3) It's not the best film I've seen this year but I can guarantee it's the one that will stay with me longest. So I've been manically teaching myself Georgian all summer and am now enrolled on a course. I try to support open media sites for the Caucasus and stuff like the Tbilisi Pride page on instagram, and I'm always looking for literature/films/music recs (ideally in Georgian!)/people to chat to...

(3/3) So anyway, if you have any suggestions at all they would be gratefully received, but don't feel like you have to spend a heap of time replying to this if not - sending you all the best wishes I can either way. დღემშვიდობია <3

გამარჯობა! First of all, I’m so happy you liked ATWD! As you said, it’s not the best film but there is something about it that is very truthful and I think people from all around world respond to it. Honestly idk if I can really point you to organizations to support because I’m not entirely sure about their trustworthiness ... The only one that comes to mind is WISG (I’m currently getting support from them but did’t see on their web site if they accept donations or not). If you aren’t set only on LGBTQI+ causes, my fave local charity is Charte - they provide internet access and laptops to kids in remote villages. If you are into animals, I suggest this dog shelter - they are absolutely amazing.  For other recs: Film: - Tangerines (haven’t seen it but was nominated for an oscar)

- Hostages (it’s not the best film but it’s about the famous group of friends who tried to hijack a plane to escape USSR so if you are interested in Georgia’s modern history, this is a good thing to watch)

- Blue Mountains, or Unbelievable Story (1983) - this has a very specific humour so idk if non Georgians or rather non Soviets can enjoy it but to me it’s darn funny!

- In Bloom - (It’s a 2013 film, have heard only good things about it)

- Udzinarta mze (1992) - honest to god can’t recall anything about this movie but I remember that I loved it

- The Wishing Tree (1976) - a classic

- Repentance (1984) - another classic, won a Jury Grand Prize at Cannes

- Father of a Soldier (1964) - my favourite Georgian film, they coloured it recently but I suggest you watch it in BW

Music: 

- Ilusha Tsinadze - a Georgian who grew up in NYC. Does Georgian folk with modern twist. 

- The Shin -  They take Georgian folk & make it jazzy

- Nino Katamadze - sings jazz, sometimes with The Shin.

- Bedford Falls - a newcomer band. They are amazing however half of their lyrics are usually in English.

- Ara - idk how to describe their music, just check them out. They do use profanities a lot though, fun!

- Irakli Charkviani -  probably the biggest name in contemporary music

- Nikakoi & Tusia Beridze - I wanna say they are the pioneers of Geo electronic music but I personally don’t listen to them

- Kayakata - I’m told this is what kids listen to nowadays 

- Gia Khancheli - the most famous Georgian composer

I honestly don’t have any recs for lit because I haven’t read a book in Georgian in ages :/

Hope this was helpful! If you have more questions or just wanna talk, message me!