the quintessential georgian film of georgi danelia and ne goryuy ( 1969 ) aka don not grieve be loosely base on the novel by french writer claude tillier ( 1801 1844 ) mon oncle benjamin the novel take place in the country side of the 18th century france . the great french revolution be still ahead but some of it stormy sign be present in society . benjamin and the local doctor be a soul of a local society and the educate and friendly and democratic person who often treat the poor for free . it make him very popular with the local but most certainly do not help with his bank account . he be in love with a beautiful manette who be also crazy about him but be be watch closely by her father who call his daughter his small capital and be determine to protect her virginity until the moment the marriage contract have be sign . i never read the book and and from description it sound like a charming very french novel but i be fascinate with the result of move the character and some plot element from 18th century france to the beginning of 20th century georgia grusiya . i would think that it be danelia who come up with all the colorful memorable character that feel so much at home in his native georgia grusiya and the land of long and wonderful tradition and include art of making and drinking wine and rare music talent that all georgian seem to possess and very unique humor and and high code of honor . when we watch the film last night together with my husband and he say and what a great example of an art film and and i so agree with him . don not grieve be a perfect art movie and visually beautiful and deep but funny and at time sad and philosophical but never in a preachy arrogant way but optimistic and celebrate life with all it beauty and sadness and full of interest and love irony and understanding for it slightly eccentric but very human character . what be the most important and the film be warm and gentle and it do not look down at it viewer a some of the art picture do . you do not have to be a movie buff to love it and to live with it and to smile and sigh at it and to follow the good hearted young doctor benjamin ( first role in a danelia film of famous singer and actor wachtang kikabidze with whom danelia would go on to make two more film include one of my all time favorite and mimino ) on his journey through the road and mountain of georgia . or to be a guest on one of a kind party where the friend gather to celebrate life of the old doctor levan who want to be a guest on his own wake and to hear what his friend have to say about him when he die while he be still alive and and who get to choose which color he prefer for his coffin . when i watch the film i think that it be a sort of movie that federico fellini might have like . i be not surprise at all to find the article about danelia where he name fellini his number one director . i also find out that accord danelia and the famous soviet director and leonid gaiday ( the creator of many beloved comedy ) and sergei paraszhanov ( the visionary whom i do not have to introduce love another danelia film and fairy tale about american boy huck finn and sovsem propashchiy ) felt and speak negatively about don not grieve while fellini praise it highly . i dare go a little further and just guess that perhaps maestro fellini kept in mind some image and the very aura and atmosphere of don not grieve when he be make amrarcord in 1973. just a thought and because there be something essential that connect both film . both artist come back to their root and to the place that they love deeply and to the people they remember and love and want to honor . both film have a lot of smile through the tear . both be art movie that would get directly to the heart of the viewer . both be masterworks . i think i be go to add georgi danelia to the list of my favorite director . he have make some of the brilliant picture in my most favorite genre of dramedy and even tragicomedy that be funny and bitter sweet and poignant and subtle and earthy and uplifting and gentle and shin . when i look up the list of the movie he have write or direct and i be amaze at the fact that he have not make a single bad film since he start back in 1960 with the award win story of a young boy and seryozha . many of danelia film be among my favorite and a i be sure they be among his legion of fan . the man behind seryozha and sovsem propashchiy ( 1972 ) which be an adaptation of mark twain the adventure of huckleberry finn and 33 and ya shagayu po moskve ( 1964 ) aka walk the street of moscow and ne goryuy ( 1969 ) aka don not grieve and afonya ( 1975 ) and mimino ( 1977 ) and osenniy marafon ( 1979 ) aka autumn marathon or sad comedy which be a very fitting title for this movie as well a for the whole genre that danelia practically invent and and the cult favorite for over 20 year kin dza dza ( 1986 ) and be brilliant and deserve our true love and genuine gratitude for the unforgettable moment of cinematic happiness .