A 1924 Georgian revenge epic where love, class, and murder collide in the Caucasus mountains.
Bakhva Pulava, a merchant from Poti fells in love with a poor tailor woman named Esma and marries her. At the same time, enchanted by her beauty, another man named Jeremiah Tsarba decides to kidnap her. When Esma refuses to share bed with him Jeremiah mercilessly kills her and when faced by accusations avoids punishment with the help of Valida, an influential nobleman’s daughter. Bakhva Pulava makes a decision to take justice into to his hands.
Cinematography
Stunning Caucasus locations that dwarf human drama.
Acting
Nato Vachnadze's face — the silent era's secret weapon.
Director
Ivane Perestiani
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on Georgian writer Egnate Ninoshvili's novel, this was Perestiani's attempt to create national cinema under early Soviet constraints. Nato Vachnadze became Georgia's first true film star.
The 'three lives' refers to Esma, Bakhva, and the society that enables Jeremiah — not three separate characters as viewers might assume.
SU
