Georgian filmmaker Ana Urushadze’s “Supporting Role” takes viewers on a haunting nighttime journey through Tbilisi, following a faded movie star grappling with his diminishing relevance. The film, which won awards at the Rotterdam Film Festival earlier this year, centers on Niaz, portrayed by Dato Bakhtadze, a once-prominent actor whose best days are behind him. When an unconventional indie director offers him an unexpected role, Niaz embarks on a surreal exploration of his past and present through the city’s shadowy streets.
Drawing comparisons to the minimalist storytelling of filmmaker Jim Jarmusch, Urushadze’s second feature blends existential wandering with dark humor characteristic of post-Soviet cinema. Over its nearly two-and-a-half-hour runtime, the narrative follows Niaz as he drifts through Tbilisi encountering former lovers, colleagues, and strangers who pull him into their worlds. These encounters, combined with Bakhtadze’s compelling performance, create an immersive dreamlike atmosphere that explores themes of aging, artistic reinvention, and masculinity.
Urushadze demonstrates remarkable visual sensibility, contrasting Tbilisi’s moody nighttime landscapes with striking bursts of color. The director employs subtle surreal elements that resurface throughout the film, creating a cohesive emotional landscape. Ultimately, “Supporting Role” examines how accepting a minor part forces its protagonist to confront vulnerability and embrace transformation—suggesting that sometimes stepping back can lead to genuine growth and self-discovery.
Originally reported by Variety →
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