Dariko: A quiet, dusty look at old-world survival

Is it worth your time?

If you like movies that feel like they were dug out of a garden—all dirt, roots, and history—you’ll probably appreciate Dariko. It’s a slow, deliberate film that doesn't care if you're bored. If you need constant movement or a plot that ties everything up in a neat little bow, you are going to hate this. It’s for the people who want to look at faces and landscapes and just feel the weight of the era.

The whole thing feels oddly heavy, like the humidity is pressing down on the camera lens. It’s not flashy at all.

There is this one shot of Dariko standing near the fence where she just... stands there. For a long time. It’s not meant to be profound or deep, it’s just there. It’s the kind of moment that makes you realize someone actually sat there and filmed it instead of cutting to the next big beat.

It reminds me a bit of the dusty, grit-focused feel of The Desert of the Lost, though they are completely different worlds. Both just let the environment do the heavy lifting.

The rhythm is... weird.

Sometimes the film feels like it’s struggling to move forward. Other times, it just sprints through important life changes without even acknowledging them. It’s a bit messy, but honestly? I liked that. It felt more like real life than a polished script like God's Gift to Women where every beat is calculated for maximum effect.

The cast, especially Zaali Terishvili, has this way of looking at the camera that makes you feel like an intruder. You aren't watching a movie; you're spying on people who don't want you there. 👁️

There’s a scene involving a piece of bread—I think it was bread—that lasts about ten seconds longer than it needs to. It’s awkward. It’s quiet. I loved it.

• The lighting is almost entirely natural, which makes the shadows look very real.
• The dialogue is sparse, which is a mercy.
• Some of the extras look like they wandered off the farm five minutes before the cameras started rolling.

It’s not perfect. The pacing is a total disaster if you're looking for a traditional narrative. But it has a soul. It feels like a piece of history that somehow got trapped on film. Just don't go in expecting Success or some high-gloss drama. It’s just... a life, captured in a box. 🌾