Georgian-Swedish director Levan Akin is again winning over audiences with his latest film, “Crossing,” which opened the Berlin Film Festival’s Panorama section.
The touching drama is about retired teacher Lia (Mzia Arabuli), who sets off with a young companion, Achi (Lucas Kankava), on a journey from the Georgian city of Batumi to Turkey, where she hopes to find her long lost niece in Istanbul. Pic follows Akin’s acclaimed 2019 film “And Then We Danced.”
Levan Akin
Sulejmen Peljto
It was while researching that film in Georgia that he heard a story about a grandfather who was very supportive of his trans grandchild. “I just thought that was sweet, you know? Especially with all the debate that was going on around and around ‘And Then We Danced’ in Georgia specifically. I’ve always craved to see representation from that region, and stories I wish I would have seen when I was young.
“Films have a power, images have power. And if you show people other ways, other images of the things that they are used to, maybe it will make people think twice. I think that’s what made me want to make this film and tell this story.
“It’s also a story about regrets and atonement, and having that conversation with someone that I think we’ve all wanted to have, or say things that you know you can’t say anymore. I think that’s universal. From the reactions we’re getting here, it’s a film that connects with everyone in that way.”
The idea was to do “something intergenerational, a story about youthfulness, age, life and years, just time, and the choices we make and the choice we don’t make, the regrets we have. Those were the things I was thinking about.”
While Georgia and Turkey are familiar ground for Akin, the director was eager to share with audiences his fascination of the cultures and geography of the regions. “Georgia and the Caucuses as a whole are particularly fascinating because all of the cultures are so different from each other but they are so close.”
The very different people that populate these areas very much appeal to Akin. “That’s what I experience when I’m there — going into all of these rooms and spaces and meeting these people. I want to share them with an audience because they are so exciting and interesting.”
In making “Crossing,” Akin also sought a lighter, freer approach. “‘And Then We Danced’ has a very classic narrative structure. Here I wanted to do something that was more free, open-minded, maybe a little more novel.”
That stylistic choice is evident in the documentary feel of the story, which follows the unlikely companions on their journey of discovery, capturing the charming details of distant societies.
“It’s like cinéma vérité in a way. It’s things I see when I do research and reenact them; I want to share them because I think they’re fascinating.”
He recalls a scene on a ferry, in which the camera wanders around. “This boat is incredible. They take it every day and they drink tea on the boat — somebody walks around and hands out these little teas. That’s so nice. I want the world to see that.
“Also, I love films that feel like they caught a time. ‘And Then We Danced’ has that feel too. You’re like a fly on the wall catching these little scenes. … I think this film has that feel of catching a very specific time.”
Indeed, it was also an opportunity to capture the grand city of Istanbul. “It always changes; it’s never the same. It’s totally different there now than it was when I filmed.”
Casting the film was very difficult, Akin says. He finally found his lead in Arabuli, a renowned actress in Georgia and ensemble member at the Tumanishvili Theater in Tbilisi. “Mzia Arabuli is like a force of nature,” the director adds.
The film boasts two other leads, including Kankava and Deniz Dumanlı, who plays Evrim, an Istanbul lawyer and activist.
Instead of having “one lead who has to be amazing, here we had three and they all had to be equally interesting. They all had to be able to carry the film alone essentially. That was a challenge.”
In addition to his feature films, Akin has worked on a number of series, including directing a number of episodes of AMC’s “Interview With the Vampire,” which just wrapped Season 2. The show is particularly close to his heart.
“I loved the book when I grew up and I love Anne Rice. The first time I was in New Orleans 12 years ago I did an Anne Rice tour. I’m a super fan — those books changed my life. They opened up the world to me.”
When he heard that the show was being made, he contacted his agents and a meeting with showrunner Rolin Jones followed.
“He like ‘And Then We Danced’ and he saw my passion for Anne Rice. And then I got to do it.”
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