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13 Tzameti

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Wikipedia article




'13 Tzameti' is a 2005 suspense thriller film written, produced, and directed by Georgian filmmaker Gla Babluani. "Tzameti" is the Georgian word for thirteen. '13 Tzameti' is the feature-length directorial debut for Babluani. It also marks the acting debut of his younger brother Georges, who plays the film's protagonist Sbastien. The music was composed by East (Arnaud Taillefer) from the French band Troublemakers.

The film tells the story of a destitute immigrant worker who steals an envelope containing instructions for a mysterious job that could pay out a fortune. Following the instructions, the young man unwittingly becomes trapped in a dark and dangerous situation.

Plot



The film follows 22-year-old Sbastien, a Georgian immigrant living in France and working construction jobs to support his poor family. Sbastien works on the home of Godon, a feeble morphine addict who is under police surveillance. After Godon dies of an overdose, his widow informs Sbastien that she is unable to pay him. Sbastien then overhears the widow talking with one of Godon's friends, describing a mysterious "job" that Godon had lined up before his death. The destitute Sbastien steals an envelope containing the instructions for the job. The police begin following Sbastien as he uses the train ticket contained in the envelope.

The police lose track of Sbastien as he follows the instructions and is brought to a secluded house in a forest. At the house, a deadly gambling event is being organized by a powerful criminal. Though Sbastien's contacts immediately recognize that he is not Godon and has no idea what he is getting into, they force him to participate in the game. Thirteen men identified by number must undergo a series of Russian roulette games, arranging themselves into a circle and pointing their revolver at the man in front of them. Spectators place bets on who will survive. Sbastien, as #13, survives the first round and fires his gun only after threatened with death. On the second round, in which two bullets are placed in each gun, Sbastien survives only because the man behind him is killed before he could fire. On the third round, with three bullets in each gun, Sebastien survives along with three other men.

Though he believes that he is finished, Sbastien is selected for the final "duel" game against #6, a cruel man who is managed by his own brother. Sbastien wins the duel and survives the game. He collects 850,000 out of the winnings his handlers have made from him, then flees the house. Fearing for his life, he sends the money home in a parcel before the police catch up with him. He tells the detective that he was turned away from the game and received no money, but gives the license plate number of a particularly unpleasant gambler in attendance. The police release him, but the brother of #6 spots him as he boards a train. The brother shoots Sbastien and steals his empty satchel. Sbastien collapses into a seat as the train begins to move.

Cast



* George Babluani as Sbastien

* Aurlien Recoing as Jacky

* Pascal Bongard as Le matre de crmonie

* Fred Ulysse as Alain

* as Le parrain

* as Mr. Schlondorff

* Philippe Passon as Jean Franois Godon

* Olga Legrand as Mme Godon

* Augustin Legrand as Jos

* Jo Prestia as Pierre Blreau

* Joseph Malerba as The accountant

Reception



, the film holds an 84% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 67 reviews with an average rating of 7.04 out of 10. The website's critics consensus reads: "This starkly minimalist nail-biter of a thriller relentlessly builds up the tension and keeps the audience guessing."

Awards



The film won the World Cinema Jury Prize at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. It also won two awards at the 62nd Venice Film Festival.[http://imdb.com/title/tt0475169/awards 13 Tzameti (2005) Awards]

Remake



There is an American remake in color of the film, but Babluani intended to "change a lot of the storyline" to avoid merely reshooting the original film. The film stars Mickey Rourke, Ray Winstone, Jason Statham, Sam Riley, and 50 Cent.

References




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