Corn Island

The action unfolds over a single warm growing season, from spring flooding to the end of summer. The setting features Georgian soldiers and a Russian soldier, signaling post-Soviet border tensions in the region.

Spring floods create a small silt island in the Enguri River. An old man and his orphaned granddaughter settle there, building a hut and planting corn. The island sits in a border region where Abkhazian and Georgian presence intersect, creating a fragile, politically charged isolation.

⚔️ Conflict

The island becomes a microcosm of larger border tensions between Georgia, Abkhazia, and Russian forces. Military presence and rival loyalties intrude on everyday life, altering the dynamics of possession and safety. The wounded soldier's refuge on the island heightens moral ambiguity and risk, reflecting the inescapable reach of political conflict into private spaces.

👨‍👧 Family

The old man's pride in his granddaughter's education drives his decisions and care for her future. Their bond sustains them through danger and scarcity, illustrating resilience in the face of external threats. The granddaughter's coming-of-age experiences intersect with the hardships around them, shaping their mutual dependence and sacrifice. Even as the island sinks, memory and legacy endure through their relationship.

🌊 Nature

Nature shapes the story from the moment the river creates the island to its eventual disintegration in the flood. The land's fragility forces human effort to adapt, harvest, and hope in a changing landscape. The corn becomes a symbol of perseverance amid erosion, while the eventual ruin underscores nature's supremacy over human projects. The final sign of renewal—the ragdoll—suggests memory may outlive the physical space.