Review: ‘Winter Song,’ a Mixed Bag of a Comedy/Drama, Best Described as ‘Very Iosselianian’


“Winter Song” (“Chant d’hiver, original title) is a 2015 French film written and directed by Georigian filmmaker Otar Iosseliani. The film is told through a series of interconnected stories instead of a traditional narrative. Each of these stories take place in different time periods. “Winter Song” is a people-centered film, full of dry humor and sight gags that are sure to delight. Though an odd film, the humor makes this film more accessible to the average audience member.

What genre is “Winter Song”? If asked, I would simply say it’s a comedy. In doing research for this film, I have found the word “Iosselianian” to be thrown about. It’s certainly a unique film; and though I call it a comedy, it is better described as a Iosselianian comedy. It is unique to any other comedy film I have seen before. It seems to be the child of Otar Iosseliani’s brain, and I cannot imagine any other filmmaker being able to birth this.

“Winter Song” opens with parlor music and a beheading, a clear indicator of the film’s strange tone. This movie does not shy away from death or misfortune at any point in its run-time. Quite the opposite, the film treats death and casual violence as mundanities. Mundane things we see every day are often the perfect things to laugh at, but also things that perhaps require our more conscious attention.

The film shows grim truths about lives we haven’t lived. Young women gather around to watch a beheading by guillotine. Soldiers rape and pillage then get baptised, enabling them to do it all again. Thieves on skates cause misfortune to innocent bystanders.  Police destroy tents of homeless people, making them more homeless than they were before. Then there are the affluent voyeurs who spy on the inhabitants of a Parisian block from high above. These characters match the audience as viewers of these various characters’ lives. There are a lot of different characters in this film, and they are all defined by interesting idiosyncrasies. Aided by wonderful performances by most every actor, the film feels like a true look at a small corner of a city.

A scene from “Winter Song” (Pastorale Productions, 2015).

Often past events are mirrored in the present day France setting. Though we may feel more morally upright than those in history, this film asks us to rethink that assumption and realize not much has actually changed. Music is often used to point out irony or moral incongruences in the film.There isn’t much music in “Winter Song,” but when there is, it’s appropriately timed and a necessary addition to the film. The music by Nicholas Zourabichvili is quaint and has a childish charm to it.

The cinematography by Julie Grünbaum, is effective and understated. It never draws much attention to itself, but it does present the locations well. This is aided by effective production design by Denis Champenois. The characters’ apartments are all so busy and full of strange items that makes them individual. From multiple musical instruments on the wall, to a collection of various mammal skulls, to piles of books reaching the ceiling, to a wall filled with different framed photos: the clutter of these apartments gives the eyes much to look at, and also gives a better idea of the people who live in these spaces. No space looks new or uninhabited. No space looks generic or impersonal.

“Winter Song” is an unconventional film full of charms that are sure to make it many people’s favorite film. I recommend it to the movie watcher who feels Hollywood is constantly making the same movie. And I also recommend it to the movie watcher who is itching for something completely new, because this is it.