Ekvtime: Man of God 2018

In February 1921, when the Soviet Red Army invaded independent Georgia, the government decided to safeguard the treasury and museum treasures by evacuating them to France. They entrusted Ekvtime Takaishvili Revaz Chkhikvishvili to collect the treasure and appoint him as a guard. The film follows the hard life and tireless activities of this guardian, tracing the history of protecting the Georgian treasury in France during the emigration period of 1921–1945 and the challenge of returning it home. The narrative centers on a steady, principled struggle through political upheaval, legal battles, and the pressures of exile, all seen through the lens of a man who stands firm in his devotion to the homeland.

The story is also colored by a deeply personal thread: the love between Ekvtime and his charming wife and companion Nino Poltaratskaya, a relationship that provides warmth and humanity amid the vast historical currents surrounding them.

Across years in France, the treasury faces constant tests from world-renowned museums, affluent collectors, courtroom disputes, criminals, and even fascist threats. Yet Ekvtime remains guided by unwavering moral principles and an enduring love for Georgia, resisting temptations and temptations and never deviating from his duty to protect the nation’s heritage.

Ultimately, the film traces the arc of protection, restitution, and legacy—how the treasure endures the pressures of exile and is safeguarded for the future. In 2002, the Georgian Holy Church canonized Ekvtime Takaishvili, honoring him as a “Man of God” and sealing his memory as a symbol of faith, duty, and national pride.