Tale of Tangerines: Life Amidst Conflict

Amidst the tangerine trees, what whispers are there as traces of war?

20 Dec, 20233 min read

When confronted by the stark reality of death's unwavering presence, the ephemeral nature of a material world, enduring centuries of relentless wars, dissolves into insignificance. This is the overarching theme that pulsates through "Tangerines" (2013), a cinematic marvel directed by Zaza Urushadze. Beyond its wartime canvas, the film delves into the human essence, unraveling layers of compassion, the futility of conflict, and the enduring potency of empathy.

At the heart of "Tangerines," the setting emerges as a silent witness. The verdant Abkhazian landscapes, marred by the ravages of war, epitomize the duality of beauty and devastation. Amidst this chaos, Ivo's tangerine farm becomes a sanctuary—a microcosm reflecting the importance of preserving the most precious, naive, and true meanings that exist while life continues.

While the winds of war blow towards the tangerine trees, Ivo and Margus are just worried about the tangerines that need to be picked. This is because each tangerine plucked represents the meaningful value of life against death and war.

The film starts with Ivo staying behind in his Abkhazian village despite the war's intensifying brutality. He tends to his tangerine orchards while the war rages on, refusing to leave his home. As the conflict reaches his doorstep, Ivo becomes entangled in an unexpected situation when two wounded soldiers from opposing sides, Niko (Georgian) and Ahmed (Chechen), are left under his care.

As Ivo nurses the wounded soldiers back to health, an initially tense atmosphere softens into moments of shared humanity. Despite their initial hostility, Niko and Ahmed slowly develop a bond through their vulnerability and shared experiences. The film delves into their evolving relationship, highlighting the futility of war and the deep understanding of the human soul in the face of death.

In the end, Niko succumbs to the relentless brutality of war, his life extinguished for the sake of saving his old enemy and new friend Ahmed. So, Ahmed, profoundly impacted by Niko's demise, stands witness to the cruel toll exacted by the conflict. His grief reflects a sharp agony that transcends the bounds of nationality or allegiance.

Then, Ahmed gapes Ivo's decision to bury Niko next to his dead son because Niko is a Chechen soldier linked to those responsible for the death of Ivo's son. And Ivo reminds us what's important in the void that death leaves behind. Deep compassion has the power to heal the wounds of all wars. Distance, closeness, or silence no longer matters; tangerine trees, that is, life itself, with its purest existence, inspire all souls wounded in war.