Chai Khana: Female Voices of the Caucasus

Fresh short films from the South Caucasus by female directors.

Chai Khana is an independent online media platform that unites and covers the three countries of the South Caucasus – Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, including the conflict-affected territories. Chai Khana’s goal is to help develop the skills of young, talented local journalists, documentary filmmakers, and photographers while raising awareness about issues affecting the region in a cross-border context.

Nino Orjonikidze
Documentarian, commissioning editor at Chai Khana Media

Language: Eng Duration: 93 min Age Limit: 16+

  • Vakavan näköinen nuori nainen seisoo suoraan kohti kameraa, kädet puuskassa.

    Otsnebis kalaki

    Dreamland
    Unelmien kaupunki
    Director: Maradia Tsaava
    Country: Georgia
    Year: 2023
    Genre: Documentary
    Duration: 24 min

    21-year-old Marisha works the night shift at a hotel full of Russian tourists to earn money for her studies. When she arrives in Tbilisi after two years of online classes, Marisha struggles to find a place to live, due to the influx of Russians escaping mobilization.

  • Onlar picildayir, bezen de qisqirirlar

    They Whisper but Sometimes Scream
    He kuiskaavat, mutta joskus he huutavat
    Director: Lala Aliyeva
    Country: Azerbaidjan
    Year: 2022
    Genre: Documentary
    Duration: 21 min

    At a sanctuary in Azerbaijan, three trees are adorned with fabrics woven by women, who would come to ward off their sorrows. With poignant gentleness, Lala Aliyeva brings to life this mirror-like place where women were spiritually released from their harsh condition.

  • Tun

    A Story of Home
    Tarina kodista
    Director: Merri Mkrtchyan
    Country: Armenia
    Year: 2023
    Genre: Documentary
    Duration: 23 min

    As a result of the second Karabakh war, a village should be ceded to Azerbaijan since a new highway is built through the Lachin corridor. The family of Narine, like many other Armenian families, needs to find a new place.

  • Chemi otakhi

    My Room
    Minun huoneeni
    Director: Maka Gogaladze
    Country: Georgia
    Year: 2020
    Genre: Documentary
    Duration: 25 min

    Through the creative use of archival footage, documentary filmmaker Maka Gogaladze tells a story of her family – from her birth till the present day, intertwined with the turbulent history of Georgia over the last 30 years.