Salome was born in 1990 in the city of Tskaltubo in Georgia. When she was four years old, her family immigrated to Russia. Salome got her first degree from Moscow State University, where she studied Public Relations. Her first involvement in film making was as a production designer. Salome has always had a passion for films and storytelling. In 2019 enrolled in Moscow School of New Cinema, the workshop of Dmitry Mamuliya.​ Her debut short film “Runaway” premiered at the Premiers Plans Angers festival and won the Grand Jury Prize in European Students Films Competition.
“Runaway” is screening at Busan International Short Film Festival
Ten-year-old Gigi lives with his family in the back of a small Georgian cafe that they own and run in a Moscow suburb. As the story begins, his father, Givi, returns home one day with a “friend” with him, which soon proves to be a fugitive on the runway. The consequences affect everyone in the family. Givi finds himself hanging out with a number of people who do not seem exactly lawful, although he manages to interact with them in a way that both shows respect and retains a distance. The daughter, however, finds herself attracted to the newcomer, with her attitude eventually bringing tension with Gigi and subsequently, Givi. Meanwhile, the stranger remains as calm and cool as possible.
Salome Kintsurashvilli directs a 15-minute short that has the premises of the thriller, as both the newcomer and his friends that eventually arrive, emit a sense of danger even though their demeanor is quite calm. In that way, the tension becomes palpable, particularly through Gigi, who is also the one who eventually causes it to be released, through the two most memorable scenes in the movie, the dancing one and the fight one. Also interesting is the ending, which does conclude the story in a way, but also leaves it open, particularly regarding the details of what happened.
Check out the interview with Dmitri Mamuliya
Where the movie truly thrives, however, is Anton Gromov's cinematography, who induces the film with a voyeuristic approach, making the audience feel as if they are peaking on what is happening, particularly through his impressive framing. This approach also adds a claustrophobic sense to the movie, which is also heightened by the many, intense close-ups, which turn the setting into a really suffocating one. The coloring is also great, while the “dizzying” sense the dancing scene is induced with works quite well here. Marina Donskaya's editing induces the short with a fittingly fast pace, with the cuts also adding to the overall atmosphere described above.
Sandro Baidarashvili gives a very convincing performance in the role of Gigi, with his curiosity, anger and release all being well communicated. Gera Tsintsadze as the Fugitive is also quite good in showing his true nature without many words.
“Runaway” is an interesting short, that stands out particularly due to its visual approach, although it becomes evident that a longer duration would have definitely benefitted the narrative.
