Gondola

A sublime and smoldering tale of love in mid-air, moving pictures speak a thousand words in Veit Helmer’s whimsical dialogue-free charmer. Chauffeuring gondolas that travel between altitude-defying villages — usually transporting cows, people, or even the occasional dead body — in the remarkably picturesque Caucasus mountains of Georgia, Iva and Nino begin their courtship with one another through gentle flirtation. A chess board is set out at one of the stations. The two trade moves. Soon, a pomegranate is tossed from one cabin to the other as the two gondolas pass mid-journey. Eventually, the two women escalate the fleeting games into something more sensual.

When their burgeoning affair is threatened by their bilious boss, Iva and Nino find a way to exact a delicious revenge. Director Helmer (Tuvalu) has penned a delightful scenario by which to further explore his love of poetic realism and nearly wordless encounters, selected a remarkably picturesque location, and chosen two endearing leads to light the flames of passion into the sky.