Bringing a welcome rush of adrenaline to the Berlinale, Georgian director Rezo Gigineishvili’s period hijacking drama Hostages combines arthouse sensitivities, historical gravitas and good ol’ action setpieces to highly satisfying results. While somewhat underdeveloped in narrative arc and emotional reach, it’s nonetheless a work of exceptional craft with that rare crossover appeal.

Based on actual events from 1983, when Soviet citizens were not allowed to travel abroad, the film recounts the life of seven young Georgians leading up to and after the deadly hijacking of Aeroflot Flight 6833. A first taste of the casual bleakness behind the Iron Curtain comes early: as aspiring actor Nika (Irakli Kvirikadze), his bride-to-be Anna (Tina Dalakishvili) and friends are doing what people their age are supposed to do – drinking, smoking, hitting the waves – they’re being closely watched by the police. “Are you worried we might swim to Turkey?” Someone from the clique gets...