First: this movie starts slow. Stick with it no matter what! The film makers aren't wasting your time. They're taking you someplace you never would have guessed, not in a hundred years.
Second it is a superb film. Great story well told. A low budget film that does not seem at all low budget.
Also, a good film for a student of film. A very good example a minimalist approach. The director very much lets the story tell itself. The camera is very unobtrusive. There is no artificial manipulation of the emotions by music, sound or special fx. Every thing is low key, just a little excitement by some key actors, just as it would be. Great film making? Yes; taught, tense, exciting, nerve racking.
Also, a great example of how you can still make a great film without a lot of blood, gore or sex. What?..... your thinking.... how can you do that? Watch the film and find out.
How low budget is this? One suspects it was shot in b & w more for budgetary reasons than style. However, this director demonstrates such a mastery of his craft that it may be intentional. For which ever reason, it works.
Good casting, too, even though there was a little nepotism. Even the fat guy was well cast.
Last, as another critic advised: the less you know going into this film, the better. However, I give this one piece of information: Tzameti means '13' in Georgian (as in the Caucasus's not the United States....). So, the title reads: "13 .13". Even this makes sense if you note three things ..
Sit back and enjoy.... although later you'll be on the edge of your seat.
Second it is a superb film. Great story well told. A low budget film that does not seem at all low budget.
Also, a good film for a student of film. A very good example a minimalist approach. The director very much lets the story tell itself. The camera is very unobtrusive. There is no artificial manipulation of the emotions by music, sound or special fx. Every thing is low key, just a little excitement by some key actors, just as it would be. Great film making? Yes; taught, tense, exciting, nerve racking.
Also, a great example of how you can still make a great film without a lot of blood, gore or sex. What?..... your thinking.... how can you do that? Watch the film and find out.
How low budget is this? One suspects it was shot in b & w more for budgetary reasons than style. However, this director demonstrates such a mastery of his craft that it may be intentional. For which ever reason, it works.
Good casting, too, even though there was a little nepotism. Even the fat guy was well cast.
Last, as another critic advised: the less you know going into this film, the better. However, I give this one piece of information: Tzameti means '13' in Georgian (as in the Caucasus's not the United States....). So, the title reads: "13 .13". Even this makes sense if you note three things ..
Sit back and enjoy.... although later you'll be on the edge of your seat.