A hit at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, Naveriani’s third feature is a black comedy about a woman changing direction in her life that combines a classic narrative of sexual self-discovery with touches that evoke soap opera, together with the colour palette and droll absurdism of Aki Kaurismaki.

Other critics have drawn parallels with Wim Wenders’ Perfect Days, which we will be screening in April, particularly the importance of routine as a way of appreciating the world. But if that film climaxes in the acceptance of the world as it is, Blackbird Blackbird Blackberry produces a final plot-twist that suggests the world must be constantly remade.

Director Naveriani had previously worked with Chavleishvili on her 2021 comedy, Wet Sand. In that film the actor was part of a gossipy village community forced to confront its secrets and lies. Here she plays the village oddball, Etero, a middle-aged spinster whose close shave with death causes her to re-assess her life and embark on a series of rebellions against the expectations of her neighbours.

Chavleishvili’s performance is plausibly rooted in the emotional turbulence of a woman who fears she may have missed out on life but who also values her familiar pleasures, from cream cakes to foraged blackberries, and who relishes the new, sensual pleasures she has now embraced.

“Here is a marvellously tender story of loneliness and love which starts with a bigger bang than most thrillers. … It’s a film which tells us what most films contrive to ignore: love and sex is not just for the lovely and the sexy and the young. This is a gentle, sensual gem of a film.” Peter Bradshaw – Guardian.

“Chavleishvili is terrific, delivering a performance that carries the picture and sets its tone. Her Etero displays a combination of severity and sensuality that should be incongruous but works beautifully.” Wendy Ide – Observer.