Mark Twain had said "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness".
Movies like this one helps to learn about different cultures and that in turn helps to understand that there is not much difference in how people live around the world. If you have prejudices to any country, its people, watch movie like this one.
28 Reviews
A gem
renhir22 July 2020
A very simple story: a woman in her fifties decides to leave her family for no other reason than wanting to be alone.Her children being grown-ups she decides to stop playing the various roles society (through her family) imposes on her: mother, daughter, wife, sister...
Besides its Intelligent script and direction, top use of (Georgian) music
Good Story and Acting
skjeffrey20 July 2020
This movie shows a fairly typical squabbling family living in close quarters in the struggling post-Soviet republic of Georgia. The main character, a 52 year old wife and mother feels unappreciated/unloved, gets fed up and decides to leave the chaos. It's kind of a middle-aged chick flick but the characters, setting and situation are interesting. The story unfolds organically and kept my attention throughout. There are some light moments in the film which contrasted with the melancholy.
IMDB summary refers to a 'patriarchal society' but it seems the old lady of the house ran the family. As a North American who has visited Georgia, the film showed the country accurately, kind of scruffy and run down, but full of life. I recognized the Tbilisi flea market in one scene.
BTW I actually might have preferred them speaking Georgian with subtitles instead of having English with American accents dubbed in, but that's a minor gripe. Great to see a slice of life from a little known but fascinating country.
52-year-old woman moves away from her family
maurice_yacowar5 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Apart from the filth she has to clean up, Manana's new apartment is characterized by its two balconies. Several shots observe the strong winds blowing outside the open doors. Some don't show anyone, just the open space and the gusts. It's a climb to get there but she finds her freedom and fresh air.
For that she has fled her marriage and her parents' cramped apartment. There she lived with her two elderly parents, her husband Soso, layabout computer nerd son Lasho, daughter Nino and her unfaithful husband Vakho. Manana's mother still rules that roost. The flat is so cramped two generations keep their clothes in a wardrobe in Lasho's room, into which he now moves his pregnant new wife.
Then there's the music. Several scenes overflow with the beautiful harmonies, emotions and community of the family and friends singing. I guess that's Georgia: a warm people always ready to burst into polished song. The men sing, the women work.
These scenes warm us with the characters' intense bonds — whether family or just friends — but to Manana that warmth is smothering. Like the intensity of her family's dynamic, it only increases her need to escape, to live on her own, to be free, to enjoy her preferred ritual of the same classical music. And here she works for herself.
Most of the film follows the mature teacher's resolve to live her own life apart from her family and their demands upon her. The patriarchal culture — as expressed by her husband, her older brother, her son-in-law — can't bend its mind to understand, leave alone to accept that. Her brother's friends threaten Soso when they think he's a stranger courting her.
Manana's escape takes new significance when she learns Soso had a long affair with another woman, who bore him a son. Soso loved her passionately but couldn't bring himself to leave Manana for her.
After learning of this betrayal, at her class reunion, the reluctant Manana is coaxed into singing. She chooses a ballad ruing a false love, so even here she's expressing herself not submitting to the male coaxer. As in the solo she sings in her new home, she sings through her grief, in a community but not bound within it. Her tremulous, poignant, personal solos contrast to the men's chorales.
The last shot is of Soso approaching her at her open window. He has inferred she knows of his compromised past. "Who are you?" she has asked. The film stops short of revealing their conversation, their future relationship. It's enough that she is at her open window and he now has to come to her. Now he moves without the swagger or self-dramatizing with which he earlier responded to her escape.
Despite the tensions in this drama of dysfunction, this actually is a happy family. The title seems ironic, but, ironically, it's true. Everyone cares and is concerned for each other — to the point of intrusion. They also come to accept each other's differences, as we see when the family embraces Lasho's bride, Kitsi,. She spurned the name her family gave her but now accepts her new family and function.
For that she has fled her marriage and her parents' cramped apartment. There she lived with her two elderly parents, her husband Soso, layabout computer nerd son Lasho, daughter Nino and her unfaithful husband Vakho. Manana's mother still rules that roost. The flat is so cramped two generations keep their clothes in a wardrobe in Lasho's room, into which he now moves his pregnant new wife.
Then there's the music. Several scenes overflow with the beautiful harmonies, emotions and community of the family and friends singing. I guess that's Georgia: a warm people always ready to burst into polished song. The men sing, the women work.
These scenes warm us with the characters' intense bonds — whether family or just friends — but to Manana that warmth is smothering. Like the intensity of her family's dynamic, it only increases her need to escape, to live on her own, to be free, to enjoy her preferred ritual of the same classical music. And here she works for herself.
Most of the film follows the mature teacher's resolve to live her own life apart from her family and their demands upon her. The patriarchal culture — as expressed by her husband, her older brother, her son-in-law — can't bend its mind to understand, leave alone to accept that. Her brother's friends threaten Soso when they think he's a stranger courting her.
Manana's escape takes new significance when she learns Soso had a long affair with another woman, who bore him a son. Soso loved her passionately but couldn't bring himself to leave Manana for her.
After learning of this betrayal, at her class reunion, the reluctant Manana is coaxed into singing. She chooses a ballad ruing a false love, so even here she's expressing herself not submitting to the male coaxer. As in the solo she sings in her new home, she sings through her grief, in a community but not bound within it. Her tremulous, poignant, personal solos contrast to the men's chorales.
The last shot is of Soso approaching her at her open window. He has inferred she knows of his compromised past. "Who are you?" she has asked. The film stops short of revealing their conversation, their future relationship. It's enough that she is at her open window and he now has to come to her. Now he moves without the swagger or self-dramatizing with which he earlier responded to her escape.
Despite the tensions in this drama of dysfunction, this actually is a happy family. The title seems ironic, but, ironically, it's true. Everyone cares and is concerned for each other — to the point of intrusion. They also come to accept each other's differences, as we see when the family embraces Lasho's bride, Kitsi,. She spurned the name her family gave her but now accepts her new family and function.
Simply a great view!
alfredosoni21 June 2018
I came across this film by accident while searching for something new to view on Netflix. It was such a simple story about the dynamics of a family, centered around a middle-aged woman, that it pulled me in from the start. I felt like I could have been watching a documentary. The acting was spot on and the one shot camera sequences were captivating. Simply a great view!
A good dramatic Georgia movie
DogePelis201520 June 2021
Touched
willgrantham14 June 2018
Beautifully bare bones film of life as it can be within the struggle of life, happiness and family for a woman, her husband and children who desires nothing more than her own self. We need many more such creations on film
Beautiful movie. Must watch!
baani-3944225 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
What a delightful movie. Beautifully shot, well paced, great character development. Right from the opening shot with Manana stepping into the frame to the last scene where Manana looks at Soso and the credits start rolling, you don't lose focus for a second. In less than 2 hours, we get a glimpse of Manana's thought process, the journeys of her two kids and their respective relationships, her dynamic w/ her brother and husband. Her journey from looking at the house to finally moving in, the cleaning process and then how she spends her time reading, cooking, playing the guitar, checking her notebook etc. Her physical transformation from dark circles and exhaustion to people commenting how beautiful she looks, the symbolism for instance her avoiding wine on her birthday to her drinking wine at home, the rustling of the trees, the comfort Manana has when anyone wants to visit her home, the scene at her reunion party when she breakdown followed by her song, every scene is absolutely stunning. Ia Shugliashvili is mindblowing as Manana. For some reason, she resembles Neena Gupta a lot so if they make an Indian remake of this, Neena will be the obvious choice.
Top 5 scenes for me: 1. Manana checking her students' notebooks at home and the smile spreading across her face 2. When Manana's student tells her how one should say no and then not look back instead of hesitating, and once you say no, simply to walk out 3. When Manana's relatives call her home at Sunday to convince her but she says "I will not give an explanation to anyone" and her two kids stand up for her 4. The contrast between her earlier vegetable shopping experience vs when she has shifted to the new home, and her avoiding wine earlier vs later when she turns the volume up and drinks wine 5. The last scene where she asks her husband who he is and then the expressions between them, followed by the credits - so beautiful and such a perfect end
Manana is a kind human, a doting mother, a loyal wife, a caring sister and daughter but most of all a strong, brave woman with high integrity and absolutely tenacious. She is inspiring and stands for what she believes in and doesn't need anyone to save her. She is a "pure heroine" :)
In a nutshell, absolute must watch :)
Top 5 scenes for me: 1. Manana checking her students' notebooks at home and the smile spreading across her face 2. When Manana's student tells her how one should say no and then not look back instead of hesitating, and once you say no, simply to walk out 3. When Manana's relatives call her home at Sunday to convince her but she says "I will not give an explanation to anyone" and her two kids stand up for her 4. The contrast between her earlier vegetable shopping experience vs when she has shifted to the new home, and her avoiding wine earlier vs later when she turns the volume up and drinks wine 5. The last scene where she asks her husband who he is and then the expressions between them, followed by the credits - so beautiful and such a perfect end
Manana is a kind human, a doting mother, a loyal wife, a caring sister and daughter but most of all a strong, brave woman with high integrity and absolutely tenacious. She is inspiring and stands for what she believes in and doesn't need anyone to save her. She is a "pure heroine" :)
In a nutshell, absolute must watch :)
Not a comedy.
trichard149730 August 2018
Extraordinarily ordinary and almost too real.
GiraffeDoor13 August 2022
A year might have passed in between one day I watched part of this and the next one.
I don't feel motivated to be negative about this movie; it touches upon a quite desperation we all live with: the love-hate relationship we have with both our family and the institution of family.
Sort of like how Pollack just through paint at a canvas, this movie rather than a normal plot sails along one conversation after another for two hours and I feel sorry for people who were dragged along to the theatre to see it.
In its own way broadly aimable in a way that Pollack wasn't; almost two real with its naturalistic dialogue and acting with problems never quite escalating to a point where any character would even think "this is like a movie" yet still oddly relevant and timeless.
Infrequently, the main character returns to her solitary apartment, does trivial things and that's the whole scene. I suppose it's to stress how much more peaceful her life is without her family which I can respect.
There's even a song.
I can recommend this for people with a huge attention span and an affinity for movies that act as collages of the lives we all lead rather than have a plot based around unusual circumstances.
I like this movie a lot more than I liked watching it if that makes any sense at all.
I don't feel motivated to be negative about this movie; it touches upon a quite desperation we all live with: the love-hate relationship we have with both our family and the institution of family.
Sort of like how Pollack just through paint at a canvas, this movie rather than a normal plot sails along one conversation after another for two hours and I feel sorry for people who were dragged along to the theatre to see it.
In its own way broadly aimable in a way that Pollack wasn't; almost two real with its naturalistic dialogue and acting with problems never quite escalating to a point where any character would even think "this is like a movie" yet still oddly relevant and timeless.
Infrequently, the main character returns to her solitary apartment, does trivial things and that's the whole scene. I suppose it's to stress how much more peaceful her life is without her family which I can respect.
There's even a song.
I can recommend this for people with a huge attention span and an affinity for movies that act as collages of the lives we all lead rather than have a plot based around unusual circumstances.
I like this movie a lot more than I liked watching it if that makes any sense at all.
Elegant film making with very fine performances
tom_undeb26 July 2020
A beautifully observed, character driven film. A delicate and subtle film that's strength lies in its simplicity. Long takes give great freedom to the actors who embody their roles with a raw honesty. The script is lean but carries an deep emotional undercurrent. Can not recommend enough.
Emotional story
abakuradze26 July 2020
Universal Theme but Different Locale
borger_s27 August 2021
The theme of wanting to find oneself, to be at peace, to be still and hear only the sound of rustling leaves and a neighbor's piano practice... a woman finding her own self causes instability within the family; Beautiful and simple tale of the craziness of longing for personal space in a society that resists the idea that women can exist independently.
She just decides moves out
Red-12513 May 2021
The Georgian film Chemi Bednieri Ojakhi (2017) was shown in the U. S. with the translated title My Happy Family. It was written and co-directed by Nana Ekvtimishvili. (The other co-director was Simon Groß.)
Ia Shugliashvili portrays Manana, a middle-aged teacher. She lives with her father, mother, husband, son, and daughter in a crowded apartment. There's no real hostility, but people are endlessly bickering
One day she decides to leave her home and rent an apartment. She doesn't ask for a divorce. She just moves out. This isn't exactly normative in the U. S., but it's definitely not normative in Georgia. The plot follows Manana's activities after she has made this move.
Ia Shugliashvili is a professional actor, and has made other films. I think she plays Manana in an excellent, fully believable manner. She has the title role, and the movie rises or falls on her work. I think it rose.
This movie worked on the small screen. It has a solid IMDb rating of 7.4. I thought it was even better than that, and rated it 9.
P. S. The closing scene is fascinating. It leaves matters open to interpretation.
Ia Shugliashvili portrays Manana, a middle-aged teacher. She lives with her father, mother, husband, son, and daughter in a crowded apartment. There's no real hostility, but people are endlessly bickering
One day she decides to leave her home and rent an apartment. She doesn't ask for a divorce. She just moves out. This isn't exactly normative in the U. S., but it's definitely not normative in Georgia. The plot follows Manana's activities after she has made this move.
Ia Shugliashvili is a professional actor, and has made other films. I think she plays Manana in an excellent, fully believable manner. She has the title role, and the movie rises or falls on her work. I think it rose.
This movie worked on the small screen. It has a solid IMDb rating of 7.4. I thought it was even better than that, and rated it 9.
P. S. The closing scene is fascinating. It leaves matters open to interpretation.
Very good...
RosanaBotafogo2 November 2022
In a patriarchal society, an ordinary Georgian family lives with three generations under one roof. Everyone is shocked when one of the family members, at age 52, decides to leave her parents' house and live alone, without her family or her husband, she begins a journey into the unknown.
I liked it a lot, self-knowledge films, often sin by being slow, but here everything is restrained, melancholy and almost liberating, a mature woman, who decides to untie herself from the knots of patriarchal society and misogyny, sad reality, but even if she frees herself from the bonds she She still finds herself sunk in naively mean comments, chained to the discoveries of her husband's past betrayals, free, yes, but unconsciously bound to social slavery...
I liked it a lot, self-knowledge films, often sin by being slow, but here everything is restrained, melancholy and almost liberating, a mature woman, who decides to untie herself from the knots of patriarchal society and misogyny, sad reality, but even if she frees herself from the bonds she She still finds herself sunk in naively mean comments, chained to the discoveries of her husband's past betrayals, free, yes, but unconsciously bound to social slavery...
Tiresome, plodding, unsatisfying.
shahrobo5 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Spoilers -
The central character, Manana, shows signs of depression and borderline anti-social behavior when she apparently has grown weary of living a life of three generations of family, and decides she wants to abandon it all and live alone. She is unwilling to communicate meaningfully with anyone in the family, including her husband Soso. Despite the pleadings of her family, she follows through and begins life on her own, where she continues to show the same signs of depression and anti-social behavior. Her character lacks warmth, compassion, and her behavior throughout is dull, flat, and emotionless. It is hard to care for her or her desire to be free when she is expressionless, and even more hard to care when after she finally is free she remains expressionless. She later learns that her husband (the one that she abandoned without explanation) had had an affair for many years, and while she shows an inkling of sadness (on top of her 24/7 flatness) it is impossible to empathize with her, because she is the one who no longer wanted her husband in the first place. It is like being unhappy throwing something away, if you know someone else might retrieve it and benefit from it. The entire film revolves around this woman and her misery, and neither she nor the film evolve beyond her unsatisfied needs, and results in a 2 hour stagnant pool of unhappiness. I wanted to like this film, to watch a woman journey through her unthinkable (but courageous) decision to leave the family life that is the staple in Georgia, but there is no journey to watch.
Real Life on Screen
DavoZed10 August 2021
Story of my life
sas201429 November 2020
I was touched by this movie because I have felt overworked and unappreciated by my family. My whole life has been giving & Sacrificing for family. Like this poor woman, I see a better future for myself living alone and in peace
Good Look at Pressure Cooker of Family Life
bentleyesghost14 June 2020
I enjoyed this. A diverse set of Actors in terms of age showing an extended family living in a comparatively small modest apartment. It centers on the middle aged couple who live with the wife's parents and the couple's adult children and at various times spouses of the children. The wife, Manana, has a decent job. It seems obvious why she wants to move out of this circus, though it is not socially acceptable. Women don't understand why she would leave a man who does not beat her or habitually cheat. Her brother has the men in the new neighborhood watching her, in a protective but oppressive way. As time goes on, she learns things that help her understand why her relationship with her husband is strained and also mitigating factors. I like the interactions of the characters. It is true as in almost documentary like. I like the way the changing seasons are the time clock of the movie. And Manana and her family are appealing characters for the most part. The ending is a little ambiguous, but certain enough.
Hidden Gem of Georgian Cinema
albertval-6956013 February 2022
A first glimpse into life in Georgia which was part of the Soviet Union before its collapse in the early 1990s. It's a family drama but it gives a good idea of the country's values which may not be far different from those of other countries.
Here's a middle-aged woman who's ready to break away from tradition with gutsiness and determination. Not even a family council can dissuade her from going forward with her decision.
The viewer might not quite understand how a multigenerational home can withstand all the pressure and the bickering but it's embedded in the culture.
Ia Shugliashvili is great as Manana. It's a nuanced performance as she goes through her experience of leaving her family and starting life on her own. Ia's depiction of Manana's reaction upon learning of Soso's secret is laudable with her emotions simmering just below the surface without exploding.
Berta Khapava (Lamara) and Mareb Ninidze (Soso) provide able support to an unusual but engaging story.
Georgians appear to be passionate singers, and the film showcases this ebullience.
The ending is open-ended all the more reason that the viewer will spin his/her own version of what happens to Manana's admirable enterprise.
Here's a middle-aged woman who's ready to break away from tradition with gutsiness and determination. Not even a family council can dissuade her from going forward with her decision.
The viewer might not quite understand how a multigenerational home can withstand all the pressure and the bickering but it's embedded in the culture.
Ia Shugliashvili is great as Manana. It's a nuanced performance as she goes through her experience of leaving her family and starting life on her own. Ia's depiction of Manana's reaction upon learning of Soso's secret is laudable with her emotions simmering just below the surface without exploding.
Berta Khapava (Lamara) and Mareb Ninidze (Soso) provide able support to an unusual but engaging story.
Georgians appear to be passionate singers, and the film showcases this ebullience.
The ending is open-ended all the more reason that the viewer will spin his/her own version of what happens to Manana's admirable enterprise.
NICE.
andrewchristianjr15 June 2021
Please take some antidepressants!!!
G_top29 June 2018
The film's unlikely premise: 50-something mother and wife all but cuts ties with her elderly parents, her son, her daughter, her husband, her brother, other family -- to live alone!! After thus emancipating herself, is she any happier? Is her life any better? No, her expression shows same shade of tired drab joylessness as before. I feel sorry for her. In the sequel -- please try antidepressants!!!
Georgia on my mind
lee_eisenberg9 April 2022
The former Soviet republic of Georgia isn't a country that we hear about much. Indeed, when Russia invaded it in 2008, a number of people in the US mistakenly thought that Russia had invaded the US state next to Alabama!
This makes it all the more enlightening to see Nana Ekvtimishvili's "Chemi bednieri ojakhi" ("My Happy Family" in English). In addition to the profound story, I like seeing movies about cultures that we don't often see. I hope to see more movies from Ekvtimishvili.
This makes it all the more enlightening to see Nana Ekvtimishvili's "Chemi bednieri ojakhi" ("My Happy Family" in English). In addition to the profound story, I like seeing movies about cultures that we don't often see. I hope to see more movies from Ekvtimishvili.
Beautiful, realistic movie.
Eka-15105 January 2023
I found this movie on Netflix. Since Merab Ninidze is one of my favorite actors, I decided to watch the movie. I really liked the movie and I was surprised why I didn't know the director of this movie before. I've looked up their other films and waiting to see what else they come up with in the future.
This movie made me emotional. It is very well made with a gentle touch of music. I was laughing at some points. The actors perform very well and naturally.
I recommend everyone to watch this movie, especially if you are middle aged. I will go back to this movie time and time again. A brilliant film.
This movie made me emotional. It is very well made with a gentle touch of music. I was laughing at some points. The actors perform very well and naturally.
I recommend everyone to watch this movie, especially if you are middle aged. I will go back to this movie time and time again. A brilliant film.
My unhappy Turkish March
ageyagey1 September 2018
This classical Turkish March by Beethoven through the whole film shows the vivace of inner tragedy.
The main quote from the film (to my humble opinion):
-What happened? What s going on?
-Dad, what is the bandage on your head?
-Tell me what happened here?
-Nino threw a pan at Vakho.
Vakho moved and the pan hit Grandpa.
-Is that anything wrong with your head?
-That is nothing wrong with his head.
-How do you know that is nothing wrong with my head?
-How dare you speak for others?
"How do you know that nothing s wrong with my head"?
Nothing wrong with the head of a woman, who always wanted to live alone? Nothing wrong with the head of her husband, who betrayed her? Nothing wrong??....
"How do you know that nothing s wrong with my head"?
Nothing wrong with the head of a woman, who always wanted to live alone? Nothing wrong with the head of her husband, who betrayed her? Nothing wrong??....
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