Ana Urushadze’s ‘Supporting Role’ Trailer Unveiled Ahead of Premiere

The trailer for “Supporting Role,” the second feature film by Georgian writer-director Ana Urushadze, has been released ahead of its world premiere at the prestigious International Film Festival Rotterdam in March 2024. This film marks a significant follow-up to Urushadze’s acclaimed debut, “Scary Mother,” which garnered awards at various film festivals, including the Locarno Film Festival and the Sarajevo Film Festival.

“Supporting Role” tells the story of a once-celebrated star of Georgian cinema who embarks on an existential journey of self-discovery following a casting session with a young female director. Initially resistant to the idea of a supporting role, the protagonist, played by Dato Bakhtadze, gradually finds himself slipping into the character he initially rejected. This narrative explores themes of identity and transformation within the context of the film industry.

The film features a notable performance from Nata Murvanidze, who previously won acclaim for her role in “Scary Mother.” The production team includes Davit Tsintsadze from Georgia’s Zazafilms, Ivo Felt of Allfilm in Estonia, Zeynep Atakan of Zeyno Film in Turkey, and Andrey Epifanov of Cinetrain in Switzerland, among others.

Shot on location in Georgia, the film showcases the cinematography of Estonian filmmaker Rein Kotov. A diverse array of funding contributed to the project, including support from the Georgian National Film Center, the Estonian Film Institute, the Estonian Cultural Endowment, the MEDIA Programme of Creative Europe, Eurimages, and Cinetrain.

As anticipation builds for the film’s debut in Rotterdam, “Supporting Role” promises to continue Urushadze’s legacy of captivating storytelling and exploration of complex characters. The film is expected to resonate with audiences both locally and internationally, further establishing Georgian cinema on the global stage.