Byways

Tamar, 16, is a novice in a monastery in the mountains of Georgia, where the ancient and the modern exist without contradiction. When Eka, a shepherd’s daughter, brings supplies to the sisters, the two girls search the hills for sheep hiding from a wolf. They find them inside a ruined basilica. Tamar wonders why these sheep entered the church while the others remained outside. Walking back down the mountain together, Tamar feels something she cannot name. Afterwards, she begins waiting for Eka’s visits. In spring the village celebrates Berikaoba, an ancient festival when men wear masks and animal skins and roam from house to house singing, drinking and blessing each family. Tamar steals a costume and joins them. Eka does not recognise her. They spend the evening together, and when the crowd calls on Eka to kiss one of the masked performers, she chooses Tamar. The kiss is meant as a joke. Running back, Tamar passes a sheep killed by the wolf. She prays through the night. The next day, Eka is gone to the city. Tamar walks up to the ruined basilica. Inside, the stones are covered in flowers.