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Drama

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? (2021): Cast & Ratings

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

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? is a 2021 drama directed by Aleksandre Koberidze, starring Ani Karseladze as Lisa, Giorgi Bochorishvili and Giorgi Ambroladze. It runs 2 hours 30 minutes and earned $32,279 worldwide. Critics gave it 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
90%
worldwide gross
$32.3K
Echo Score
74
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What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 30m (150 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
Georgian
Studio
MUBI
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? About?

The premise of What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

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.

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? Themes & Keywords

· 18 tags
  • narration
  • voice over narration
  • playing soccer
  • kutaisi
  • georgia europe
  • watching a movie in a theater
  • slow motion scene
  • breaking the fourth wall
  • no music during end credits
  • written by director
  • magic realism
  • voice over
+6 more
  • soccer ball
  • broken glass
  • children
  • love
  • evil
  • body swap comedy
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Cast & crew

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? Cast & Characters

Ani Karseladze leads the cast as Lisa, with Giorgi Bochorishvili as Giorgi and Giorgi Ambroladze as Giorgi (Pre-Curse). Directed by Aleksandre Koberidze; 6 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in What Do We See When We Look at the Sky?

· 2 more
From the director

More from Aleksandre Koberidze

One more film directed by Aleksandre Koberidze: Dry Leaf.

Full filmography
Ratings

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (55).

74 /100

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, the film presents a richly textured meditation on everyday life that resonates with many viewers, though its deliberate pacing and extensive runtime divide opinion. Critics largely commend its inventive direction, atmospheric score, and heartfelt moments, while several users note that the slow rhythm can feel indulgent. The cumulative effect is a work that rewards attentive viewing but may test patience, resulting in a mixed‑to‑positive consensus.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s cinematography and editing receive consistent praise for their painterly quality and ability to transport the audience. Critics highlight the director’s original visual approach, and users describe the images as extraordinary and the world-building as immersive. Some viewers find the static long shots excessive, yet the overall assessment of the visual design remains decidedly positive.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When evaluating character and emotional depth, the ensemble is viewed as nuanced and compassionate. Critics comment on the film’s capacity to evoke ordinary love and empathy, and users note the charming, relatable personalities that populate the cityscape. The love story’s ambiguity and occasional narrative distance generate mild criticism, resulting in a moderately favorable rating for this aspect.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Regarding story and flow, opinions are divided over pacing and structural coherence. Critics acknowledge the film’s lyrical ambition but point to its leisurely tempo and occasional meandering. Users echo concerns about length and difficulty following the central narrative thread. While the thematic originality is appreciated, the overall narrative execution is perceived as uneven, leading to a middling score.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    The sensory experience stands out as a major strength, with a lush score and evocative sound design complementing the visual palette. Critics celebrate the enchanting music and atmospheric soundscape, and users repeatedly highlight the magical soundtrack and striking imagery. The consistent acclaim across reviews positions the sensory dimension as the film’s most compelling element.

  • Rewatch Factor 72

    Rewatch value reflects the film’s lingering impression despite its deliberate pacing. Critics suggest the work remains memorable and rewarding on subsequent viewings, and many users describe a lasting allure in its depiction of daily life. However, the film’s length and slow rhythm deter some viewers from returning, resulting in a solid but not unanimous endorsement of its replay appeal.

Plot

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? Plot Summary

What happens in What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Medical student Lisa and soccer player Giorgi unexpectedly cross paths not just once, but twice in a single day in the charming Georgian city of Kutaisi. Their initial brief encounter ignites a spark of love between them, leading to a second meeting in the evening where they eagerly set plans to reunite at a café the following day. However, as fate would have it, Lisa soon becomes aware of a peculiar curse that she has unwittingly fallen victim to—an omen delivered cryptically through a seedling, a surveillance camera, a drainpipe, and the wind. Distressed, she confides in her roommate Maya, who attempts to soothe her anxiety by gifting her a black amber ring, an item said to offer protection during the night.

Full summary

The whole story of What Do We See When We Look at the Sky?, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? Box Office

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? grossed $32,279 worldwide. $21,443 came from the US and Canada and $10,836 (34%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$32.3K

US & Canada
$21.4K
International
$10.8K
US & Canada 66% Rest of the world 34%
Videos

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? Trailers & Videos

6 videos: 2 trailers, 2 teasers and 2 featurettes.

All 6 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer WHAT DO WE SEE WHEN WE LOOK AT THE SKY? | Official Trailer #2 | Exclusively on MUBI
  • Teaser WHAT DO WE SEE WHEN WE LOOK AT THE SKY? | Official Teaser | Exclusively on MUBI
  • Teaser What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? | Teaser | NYFF59
  • Featurette Alexandre Koberidze on What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? | NYFF59
Quiz

How Well Do You Know What Do We See When We Look at the Sky??

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What two professions do the main characters Lisa and Giorgi have?

Details

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? Also Known As

18 alternative titles, including “Ras vkhedavt, rodesac cas vukurebt?” and “Sous le soleil de Koutaïssi”.

Also known as
  • Ras vkhedavt, rodesac cas vukurebt?
  • Sous le soleil de Koutaïssi
  • Sous le ciel de Koutaïssi
  • Was sehen wir, wenn wir zum Himmel schauen
  • Что мы видим, когда смотрим на небо?
  • Co spatříme, když pohlédneme na nebe?
  • 하늘을 바라본다
  • 바람이 분다
  • ¿Qué vemos cuando miramos al cielo?
  • Co widzimy, patrząc w niebo?
  • Que Vemos Cuando Miramos al Cielo?
  • Τί Βλέπουμε Όταν Κοιτάμε τον Ουρανό;
+6 more
  • Was sehen wir, wenn wir zum Himmel schauen?
  • 当我们仰望天空时看见什么?
  • 喬治亞天空下
  • Що ми бачимо, коли дивимось у небо?
  • Gökyüzüne Baktığımızda Ne Görüyoruz?
  • Què veiem quan mirem cap al cel?

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FAQ

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of What Do We See When We Look at the Sky?, each answered in a sentence.

How long is What Do We See When We Look at the Sky??

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? runs 2 hours 30 minutes (150 minutes).

When was What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? released?

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? was released on November 12, 2021.

Who directed What Do We See When We Look at the Sky??

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? was directed by Aleksandre Koberidze.

More films by Aleksandre Koberidze

Who is in the cast of What Do We See When We Look at the Sky??

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? stars Ani Karseladze as Lisa, Giorgi Bochorishvili as Giorgi and Giorgi Ambroladze as Giorgi (Pre-Curse), among 6 credited actors.

How much did What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? make at the box office?

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? grossed $32,279 worldwide ($21,443 domestic, $10,836 international).

How is What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? rated?

What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Does What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? have a post-credit scene?

No. What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? in?

The original language of What Do We See When We Look at the Sky? is Georgian.

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