Absurdistan
Germany 2008

Opening 20 Mar 2008

Directed by: Veit Helmer
Writing credits: Zaza Buadze, Veit Helmer, Gordan Mihic
Principal actors: Kristyna Malérová, Max Mauff, Nino Chkheidze, Ivane Ivantbelidze, Otto Kuhnle

Director Veit Helmer together with his team of screenwriters (Zaza Buadze, Gordon Mihic, Ahmet Golbol) concocts a whimsical tale that tests the limitations of true love. His trademark is to take an idea and use visual imagery, unconventional resources and absurd measures to communicate his message. A master craftsman, he is indeed! Obvious is Helmer’s creativity and experience to take his audience to nowhere and develop an unforgettable somewhere.

In the middle of nowhere, a small village runs out of water which curtails its happy existence. The aqueduct built by the village ancestors, stretching from the mountain springs to the village door, is so complex that the younger generation has forgotten how it works. The villagers are distraught! Even more so are the village’s known childhood sweethearts, Aya (Kristyna Malerova) and Temelko (Maximilian Mauff). Their hope to experience eternal love is now in jeopardy.

A few years earlier, Aya’s grandmother was the first to hear of the couple’s announcement of their affection. At that time, she felt they were too young to fulfill their commitment physically but declared that in four years to the date, the position of the stars would appear in a perfect formation and at the exact time, their first night of love would be consecrated, but only after they separately each had fully bathed. They gladly accepted the challenge of celibacy in order to receive the revered desired blessing.

Temelko and Aya are now panic stricken as they watch the stars coming closer to the perfect alignment. The chance for their eternal bliss could easily pass them by unless water miraculously appears to provide for each of them a full bath. Temelko uses his ingenuity, in a last ditch attempt, to restore the water supply from the mountain to the village. The absurd measure Temelko takes to combat against uncanny villagers is beyond comprehension; but, then again, therein lies Absurdistan’s tale concerning the unusual fate of Temelko and Aya’s and their undying love. (Karen Pecota)