The Pipeline Next Door

In the world of politics and business, a decision was taken to build an oil pipeline. Among other places, it will lead though a small village in the untouched Borjomi valley in Georgia, renowned for its abundance of mineral springs. An offer is put before the villagers. Their land will be bought out and they'll be given compensation for any losses incurred. For the villagers, however, the pipeline becomes a symbol of evil – it will take away their land and disrupt the traditional way that land is inherited through the generations, as well as harbour many potential dangers, from pollution to terrorist attacks. Unable to block the construction, they at least try to use all means available to get maximum compensation, from media exposure to the law courts. As the pressure builds up, we witness explosive discussions between the villagers and British Petroleum representatives, as well as amongst the villagers themselves. As construction progresses and conflicts grow more intense, director Nino Kirtadze follows the story without imposing a voiceover. He places images of two different worlds side by side, clearly expressing his sympathies for the native inhabitants. The villagers are so animated, passionate and genuine that they often expose their imperfections, infusing the film with humour and sensitivity and preventing it from becoming a dry and moralising commentary on the destruction of an untouched traditional world by the cold capitalist system.