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What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? (2021) movie poster

Characters & Themes

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? (2021) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2021 · 150 min · Georgian
Echo score 74
JustWatch #31,783 6
Directed by
Aleksandre Koberidze
Starring
Ani Karseladze, Giorgi Ambroladze, Giorgi Bochorishvili, Irina Chelidze, Oliko Barbakadze, Vakhtang Panchulidze

During a hot summer in Kutaisi, pharmacist Lisa and soccer player Giorgi find themselves drawn to each other through a series of unexpected meetings. Their budding romance faces a magical twist when they are unexpectedly transformed, forcing them to confront their situation and each other in unfamiliar forms. They must find a way to overcome these extraordinary circumstances and rediscover their connection.

Drama Cast, crew & box office
On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (2)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like What Do We See When We Look at the Sky?
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? (2021)

Where can you watch What Do We See When We Look at the Sky?? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Klassiki, MUBI and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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2 main characters · contains spoilers

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? (2021), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Lisa

    played by Ani Karseladze

    Lisa is a determined medical student with a deep passion for her studies and aspirations. After being cursed, she faces the challenge of losing her identity and talents, leading her to take on a new role in a café. Her journey illustrates the struggle of maintaining hope and identity amidst unforeseen circumstances.

    • 👩‍⚕️ Medical Student
    • 🎭 Resilient
    • 💔 Romantic

  • Giorgi

    played by Giorgi Bochorishvili

    Giorgi is a talented soccer player whose life takes a dramatic turn due to the curse that alters his appearance and abilities. As he navigates his new reality, he struggles with his identity while attempting to reconnect with Lisa. His character portrays the themes of loss and adaptability in the face of change.

    • ⚽️ Soccer Player
    • 🎭 Determined
    • 💔 Romantic

Last updated: December 03, 2024 at 14:30

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Setting

Where and When Does What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? Take Place?

The setting of What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? (2021): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The movie portrays contemporary life, reflecting modern societal dynamics and personal relationships. Shared spaces such as cafés highlight the ongoing interaction among people in today's fast-paced environment. The elements of the story, including technology's impact and personal transformation, resonate with current societal challenges.

Location

Kutaisi

Kutaisi is one of the oldest cities in Georgia, known for its rich history and stunning architecture. It is located near the Emtkiri River, surrounded by picturesque landscapes, making it a popular location for both locals and tourists. The city offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern life.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🏞️ Landscape

Last updated: December 03, 2024 at 14:30

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3 major themes

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? (2021) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Fate

    Fate plays a critical role in the film, as the unintended curse that affects Lisa and Giorgi prevents them from recognizing each other. This demonstrates how external forces can shape personal lives and relationships, often in unexpected ways. The characters' struggle against this predetermined path emphasizes the tension between love and destiny.

  • Identity

    Identity is a central theme as both main characters experience a complete physical transformation due to the curse. This loss of identity not only affects their recognition of each other but also their personal skills and professions. The film explores how identity is both perceived and intrinsic, and how it impacts social connections.

  • Love

    The theme of love is vividly illustrated through the initial connection between Lisa and Giorgi. Despite facing significant obstacles, their bond persists, showcasing love's resilience. The film highlights how genuine affection can endure through trials, even when the individuals involved are unable to recognize one another.

Last updated: December 03, 2024 at 14:30

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Character & theme questions

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? (2021): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the movie set?

The film takes place in Kutaisi, one of the oldest cities in Georgia. Located near the Emtkiri River and surrounded by picturesque landscapes, Kutaisi offers a blend of cultural heritage and modern life that serves as a distinctive backdrop for the story.

  • kutaisi
  • georgia
  • setting
  • location
  • city
Q2

What is Kutaisi like as a location?

Kutaisi is known for its rich history and stunning architecture. As one of Georgia's oldest cities, it provides a setting that combines historical depth with contemporary daily life, featuring locations like cafés where locals gather.

  • kutaisi
  • city
  • architecture
  • history
  • georgia
Q3

When does the story take place?

The movie portrays contemporary life in modern Georgia, reflecting today's societal dynamics and personal relationships. Technology, daily interactions in public spaces, and current social challenges all feature in this contemporary setting.

  • modern
  • contemporary
  • time period
  • present day
Q4

What are the main themes of the film?

The film explores three interconnected themes: Fate, as an unintended curse shapes the characters' lives and prevents recognition; Identity, as physical transformation challenges who they truly are; and Love, which persists despite extraordinary obstacles.

  • themes
  • fate
  • identity
  • love
  • meaning
Q5

What does the film say about fate?

Fate plays a critical role as the curse prevents Lisa and Giorgi from recognizing each other, demonstrating how external forces can shape personal lives in unexpected ways. Their struggle against this predetermined path highlights the tension between love and destiny.

  • fate
  • destiny
  • curse
  • predetermined
Q6

How does the film explore identity?

Identity becomes central when both characters undergo complete physical transformation due to the curse. This affects their recognition by others and their own personal skills and professions, exploring how identity is both perceived externally and experienced internally.

  • identity
  • transformation
  • self
  • recognition
Q7

What does the film say about love?

Love is illustrated through the initial connection between Lisa and Giorgi. Despite the curse preventing recognition, their bond persists, showcasing love's resilience through trials and demonstrating how genuine affection can endure even when individuals cannot identify one another.

  • love
  • romance
  • connection
  • bond
Q8

Who are the main characters?

The film centers on Lisa (Ani Karseladze), a determined medical student, and Giorgi (Giorgi Bochorishvili), a talented soccer player. After being cursed, Lisa takes on a new role in a café while Giorgi navigates his transformed appearance and abilities.

  • lisa
  • giorgi
  • characters
  • protagonists
  • main cast
Q9

Who is Lisa in the story?

Lisa is a medical student with deep passion for her studies and aspirations. After the curse transforms her appearance and abilities, she loses her identity and talents, forcing her to work in a café while maintaining hope throughout her struggle.

  • lisa
  • ani karseladze
  • medical student
  • café worker
Q10

Who is Giorgi in the story?

Giorgi is a talented soccer player whose life changes dramatically when the curse alters his appearance and abilities. He navigates this new reality while attempting to reconnect with Lisa, portraying themes of loss and adaptability.

  • giorgi
  • giorgi bochorishvili
  • soccer player
  • football
Q11

What is the nature of the curse in the film?

The curse causes both Lisa and Giorgi to undergo physical transformations that prevent them from recognizing each other. It also affects their personal skills and professions, creating an extraordinary obstacle to their relationship.

  • curse
  • transformation
  • magical
  • body swap
Q12

What is the tone and style of the movie?

The film has a whimsical, gentle quality despite its magical realism element. The storytelling is observational and slow-paced, lingering on small moments and the atmosphere of Kutaisi rather than rushing the plot, creating a fairy-tale-like quality.

  • tone
  • style
  • whimsical
  • magical realism
  • pacing

Movie threads

More Movies Like What Do We See When We Look at the Sky?, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Dreamy magical realism love stories like What Do We See When We Look at the Sky?

Gentle romances where fate and magic transform everyday reality. If you enjoyed the gentle, magical romance of 'What Do We See When We Look at the Sky?', explore these movies that blend whimsical fantasy with everyday life. These films share a dreamlike quality, a focus on fate and destiny, and a tender, contemplative approach to love in a world touched by subtle magic.

  • magical
  • romantic
  • dreamlike
  • whimsical
  • lyrical
  • gentle
  • Tone: whimsical, romantic, dreamlike
  • Pacing: slow, contemplative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories often follow characters whose lives are unexpectedly altered by a gentle, fairy-tale-like magic or curse. The plot unfolds as they navigate this new reality, focusing on emotional discovery, quiet moments of connection, and a sense of wonder in the mundane, rather than complex magical systems or conflicts.

Why they belong together: They are grouped together for their shared whimsical tone, low-intensity atmosphere, and the central theme of love unfolding through magical circumstances. They create a cohesive viewing experience of light, lyrical, and romantic magical realism.

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir movie poster

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir

1947
What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? movie poster

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky?

2021
The Snowman movie poster

The Snowman

1982
The Projectionist movie poster

The Projectionist

2019
Paterson movie poster

Paterson

2016
Fine, Totally Fine movie poster

Fine, Totally Fine

2008
Bagdad Cafe movie poster

Bagdad Cafe

1988
Gaja Gamini movie poster

Gaja Gamini

2000

Lyrical and contemplative slow cinema movies like What Do We See When We Look at the Sky?

Patient, observational films that find beauty and meaning in small moments. For viewers who appreciated the patient, observational style of 'What Do We See When We Look at the Sky?', this collection features films with similar slow pacing and lyrical quality. These movies are for when you want to immerse yourself in an atmosphere, savor small details, and experience a gentle, thoughtful narrative.

  • contemplative
  • slow cinema
  • lyrical
  • atmospheric
  • observational
  • gentle
  • Tone: contemplative, melancholic, gentle
  • Pacing: very slow, meandering
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread unfold slowly, often feeling more like a series of interconnected vignettes or a guided observation than a tightly wound plot. The journey is internal and atmospheric, focusing on character reflection, the beauty of the setting, and the emotional weight of quiet moments.

Why they belong together: They share a deliberate slow pacing, a low-intensity atmosphere, and a lyrical, visually-driven approach to storytelling. The connection is based on a shared meditative and gentle viewing experience that values mood over momentum.

Lisbon Story movie poster

Lisbon Story

1994
People on Sunday movie poster

People on Sunday

2020
A Summer's Tale movie poster

A Summer's Tale

2014
Medicine for Melancholy movie poster

Medicine for Melancholy

2008
Paterson movie poster

Paterson

2016
Fade In movie poster

Fade In

1973
Year of the Nail movie poster

Year of the Nail

2007
The White Balloon movie poster

The White Balloon

1995

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Every angle

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? (2021) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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