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Deep Dive: Taming the Garden (2022)

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Taming the Garden
Taming the Garden is a documentary directed by Salomé Jashi that focuses on Bidzina Ivanishvili, the former prime minister of Georgia and a billionaire. The film chronicles his efforts to acquire trees for the Shekvetili Dendrological Park, an arboretum located on his estate along the Black Sea coast. The narrative illustrates the lengths to which Ivanishvili goes to obtain these trees, reflecting on themes of nature, wealth, and personal ambition. The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for several awards, including the World Cinema Documentary Competition at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival and the 34th European Film Awards. Jashi's background as a former journalist informs her approach, blending documentary with elements of myth, as noted by critic Claire Armitstead.

Why Watch

  • •See Bidzina Ivanishvili's unique tree acquisition methods.
  • •Meet Salomé Jashi, a former journalist turned filmmaker.
  • •Find out about the Shekvetili Dendrological Park.

Did You Know

•Bidzina Ivanishvili is the world's 349th richest billionaire.
•The film won the international DOCU/WORLD Competition at DocuDays UA.
•Salomé Jashi graduated from Tbilisi State University in 2005.

Perfect For

Documentary enthusiastsEnvironmental studiesGeorgian culture