Georgia (2010 film)
Encyclopedia
5 Days of War is a 2011 action film by Finnish director Renny Harlin
. The story is about the 2008 Russo-Georgian war
, including the events leading up to the conflict.
The film was released in Georgia as 5 Days of August, and in other countries as 5 Days of War.
but soon goes to Georgia on the advice of some of his friends in Tbilisi
, who suspect that a large conflict is brewing. He, along with his cameraman Sebastian Ganz, delve deeper into Georgian life as conflict escalates and they get caught in the crossfire when an air raid strikes a local wedding they stumble upon. With the help of a Georgian
soldier who saved them in Iraq, their mission becomes to get their report out of the country to raise awareness of violence they have witnessed.
, the capital of Georgia
. Filming took 36 days with a budget of 12 million dollars.
According to the Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili
, the film was not financed by the Georgian government, but one of the producers, David Imedashvili, said that the initial funding for the project came from a Georgian government fund. According to Georgian media the movie was financed by Koba Nakopia, a parliamentarian from the ruling United National Movement party of Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili
. Also credited as producer
are director Renny Harlin, George Lascu and Mirza Davitaia, the current Georgian State Minister for "diaspora issues", who at the time of filming was the Georgian Deputy Minister, Ministry of Culture, Monument Protection and Sports.
One of the buildings of the Georgian Presidential administration
was used for filming parts of the movie. Some members of the special effects team were Russian and had previously worked on Night Watch (2004 film)
. The military equipment and personnel used in the film were temporarily lent by the Georgian army.
gives the film score 31/100 based on reviews from 14 critics. However, it has been poorly received by many film critics, with Bloomberg
and Washington Post both giving it an extremely poor one star rating.
Anna Neistat of Human Rights Watch
said that in the current political climate, the film is dangerous, as it uses selective exaggerations of Russian and South Ossetian wrongdoings, whilst totally ignoring Georgian wrongdoings against Ossetians. She further stated, that the film "portrays Russians and Ossetians as barbaric beasts and Georgians as peace angels." Joshua Foust echoed these sentiments, and stated that the film is "essentially Georgian propaganda", and that it is "not an accurate portrayal of what happened, nor is it an especially honest analysis of the issues that led up to it."
5 Days of War opened in limited release
in the United States on August 19, 2011 in two theatres in New York City
and Washington D.C. It grossed $6,254 in its opening weekend.
(Region 2) and Blu-ray
(Region B) on 13th June 2011. The DVD is a one-disc set. The Blu-ray is a one-disc set that includes DTS-HD 5.1 sound, as well as subtitles, in English, German and French.
Renny Harlin
Renny Harlin is a Finnish-American film director and producer. He is best known for Die Hard 2 , Cliffhanger , The Long Kiss Goodnight and Deep Blue Sea...
. The story is about the 2008 Russo-Georgian war
2008 South Ossetia war
The 2008 South Ossetia War or Russo-Georgian War was an armed conflict in August 2008 between Georgia on one side, and Russia and separatist governments of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on the other....
, including the events leading up to the conflict.
The film was released in Georgia as 5 Days of August, and in other countries as 5 Days of War.
Plot
The film starts with a brief scene in Iraq where the Georgian contingent of the coalition forces saves the life of an American reporter Thomas Anders. After Anders loses one of his colleagues in Iraq, he returns to Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
but soon goes to Georgia on the advice of some of his friends in Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
, who suspect that a large conflict is brewing. He, along with his cameraman Sebastian Ganz, delve deeper into Georgian life as conflict escalates and they get caught in the crossfire when an air raid strikes a local wedding they stumble upon. With the help of a Georgian
Georgian people
The Georgians are an ethnic group that have originated in Georgia, where they constitute a majority of the population. Large Georgian communities are also present throughout Russia, European Union, United States, and South America....
soldier who saved them in Iraq, their mission becomes to get their report out of the country to raise awareness of violence they have witnessed.
Cast
- Andy GarcíaAndy GarcíaAndrés Arturo García Menéndez , professionally known as Andy García, is a Cuban American actor. He became known in the late 1980s and 1990s, having appeared in several successful Hollywood films, including The Godfather: Part III, The Untouchables, Internal Affairs and When a Man Loves a Woman...
as Mikheil SaakashviliMikheil SaakashviliMikheil Saakashvili is a Georgian politician, the third and current President of Georgia and leader of the United National Movement Party.Involved in the national politics since 1995, Saakashvili became president on 25 January 2004 after President Eduard Shevardnadze resigned in a November 2003...
, the president of GeorgiaPresident of GeorgiaThe President of Georgia is the head of state, supreme commander-in-chief and holder of the highest office within the Government of Georgia. Executive power is split between the President and the Prime Minister, who is the head of government... - Kenneth CranhamKenneth CranhamKenneth Cranham is a film, television and stage actor. He starred in the title role in the popular 1980s comedy drama Shine on Harvey Moon. He also appeared in Layer Cake, Gangster No. 1, Rome, Oliver! and many other films. He is probably best known to horror genre fans as the deranged Dr...
as Michael Stilton, an English war reporter - Dean CainDean CainDean Cain is an American actor. He is most widely known for his role as Clark Kent/Superman in the popular American television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.-Early life:...
as Chris Bailot, secretary of Saakashvili - Emmanuelle ChriquiEmmanuelle ChriquiEmmanuelle Sophie Anne Chriqui is a Canadian film and television actress. She is perhaps best known for her role on HBO's Entourage as Sloan McQuewick, as well as the love interest of Adam Sandler in the movie You Don't Mess with the Zohan...
as Tatia, a young Georgian girl - Rupert FriendRupert FriendRupert Friend is an English film actor, who is best known for his roles as Mr. Wickham in the 2005 film Pride and Prejudice, Lieutenant Kurt Kotler in the 2008 film The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, and Prince Albert in the 2009 film The Young Victoria.-Career:He made his debut in the film The...
as Thomas Anders, an American reporter - Richard CoyleRichard CoyleRichard Coyle is an English actor.-Early life:Coyle was born in Sheffield, England to Irish parents. He began his acting career after a stint working on a ferry entertaining passengers, where he was told by a theatre director that he had a talent and should pursue it further...
as Sebastian Ganz, an English reporter - Johnathon SchaechJohnathon SchaechJohnathon Schaech is an American actor, writer, and director.-Early life:Schaech was born in Edgewood, Maryland to Joseph, a Baltimore City law enforcement officer, and Joanne Schaech, a human resources executive. He is of German and Italian descent, and was raised Roman Catholic...
as Rezo Avaliani, a young Georgian officer - Val KilmerVal KilmerVal Edward Kilmer is an American actor. Originally a stage actor, Kilmer became popular in the mid-1980s after a string of appearances in comedy films, starting with Top Secret! , then the cult classic Real Genius , as well as blockbuster action films, including a supporting role in Top Gun and a...
as "Dutchman", Dutch journalist - Antje TraueAntje TraueAntje Traue is a German actress. She speaks both German and English fluently, and appeared in her first English-language role in the film Pandorum.-Life and career:...
as Zoe, an American reporter - Heather GrahamHeather GrahamHeather Joan Graham is an American actress. She has appeared in such films as Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Lost in Space, Bowfinger, From Hell, Anger Management, and The Hangover...
as Miriam, an American reporter in Iraq - Rade SerbedzijaRade ŠerbedžijaRade Šerbedžija , occasionally credited as Rade Sherbedgia in some English-language productions, is a Croatian actor, director and musician of Serb origin. He was one of the most popular Yugoslav actors in the 1970s and 1980s. He is now internationally known mainly for his supporting roles in...
as Col. Alexandr Demidov Russian badie
Production
Filming started in October 2009, in TbilisiTbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
, the capital of Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
. Filming took 36 days with a budget of 12 million dollars.
According to the Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili
Mikheil Saakashvili
Mikheil Saakashvili is a Georgian politician, the third and current President of Georgia and leader of the United National Movement Party.Involved in the national politics since 1995, Saakashvili became president on 25 January 2004 after President Eduard Shevardnadze resigned in a November 2003...
, the film was not financed by the Georgian government, but one of the producers, David Imedashvili, said that the initial funding for the project came from a Georgian government fund. According to Georgian media the movie was financed by Koba Nakopia, a parliamentarian from the ruling United National Movement party of Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili
Mikheil Saakashvili
Mikheil Saakashvili is a Georgian politician, the third and current President of Georgia and leader of the United National Movement Party.Involved in the national politics since 1995, Saakashvili became president on 25 January 2004 after President Eduard Shevardnadze resigned in a November 2003...
. Also credited as producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
are director Renny Harlin, George Lascu and Mirza Davitaia, the current Georgian State Minister for "diaspora issues", who at the time of filming was the Georgian Deputy Minister, Ministry of Culture, Monument Protection and Sports.
One of the buildings of the Georgian Presidential administration
Presidential Administration of Georgia
Presidential Administration of Georgia is the executive body of administration of President of Georgia. The office of the Presidential administration is located on the left bank of the Kura River, in the Avlabari district of Tbilisi, Georgia.-History:...
was used for filming parts of the movie. Some members of the special effects team were Russian and had previously worked on Night Watch (2004 film)
Night Watch (2004 film)
Night Watch is a 2004 Russian supernatural thriller film directed by Timur Bekmambetov. It is loosely based on the novel The Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko, and is the first part of a trilogy, followed by Day Watch and ending supposedly with Twilight Watch .-Plot:In the prologue, which...
. The military equipment and personnel used in the film were temporarily lent by the Georgian army.
Premiere
- The film first premiered in TbilisiTbilisiTbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
, GeorgiaGeorgia (country)Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
on June 5, 2011 and was attended by the participating actors, as well as actress Sharon StoneSharon StoneSharon Vonne Stone is an American actress, film producer, and former fashion model. She achieved international recognition for her role in the erotic thriller Basic Instinct...
, who helped raise approximately $1 million during the subsequent fundraiser for the victims of the Russo-Georgian war2008 South Ossetia warThe 2008 South Ossetia War or Russo-Georgian War was an armed conflict in August 2008 between Georgia on one side, and Russia and separatist governments of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on the other....
. - LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, UK, June 9, 2011
Reception
5 Days of War has received mixed reviews from critics. Review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reports that 35% of critics have given the film a positive review based on 31 reviews. MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
gives the film score 31/100 based on reviews from 14 critics. However, it has been poorly received by many film critics, with Bloomberg
Bloomberg L.P.
Bloomberg L.P. is an American privately held financial software, media, and data company. Bloomberg makes up one third of the $16 billion global financial data market with estimated revenue of $6.9 billion. Bloomberg L.P...
and Washington Post both giving it an extremely poor one star rating.
Anna Neistat of Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Its headquarters are in New York City and it has offices in Berlin, Beirut, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo,...
said that in the current political climate, the film is dangerous, as it uses selective exaggerations of Russian and South Ossetian wrongdoings, whilst totally ignoring Georgian wrongdoings against Ossetians. She further stated, that the film "portrays Russians and Ossetians as barbaric beasts and Georgians as peace angels." Joshua Foust echoed these sentiments, and stated that the film is "essentially Georgian propaganda", and that it is "not an accurate portrayal of what happened, nor is it an especially honest analysis of the issues that led up to it."
5 Days of War opened in limited release
Limited release
Limited release is a term in the American motion picture industry for a motion picture that is playing in a select few theaters across the country ....
in the United States on August 19, 2011 in two theatres in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and Washington D.C. It grossed $6,254 in its opening weekend.
Home media
5 Days of War was released on DVDDVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
(Region 2) and Blu-ray
Blu-ray Disc
Blu-ray Disc is an optical disc storage medium designed to supersede the DVD format. The plastic disc is 120 mm in diameter and 1.2 mm thick, the same size as DVDs and CDs. Blu-ray Discs contain 25 GB per layer, with dual layer discs being the norm for feature-length video discs...
(Region B) on 13th June 2011. The DVD is a one-disc set. The Blu-ray is a one-disc set that includes DTS-HD 5.1 sound, as well as subtitles, in English, German and French.