THE COMMUNARD'S PIPE (1929) Ushangi Chkheidze & Sergei Zabozlayev | Action | English Sub

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The Communard’s Pipe (1929) is a Soviet silent film directed by Kote Marjanishvili, based on a short story by Ilya Ehrenburg. Produced by Sakhkinmretsvi (the Georgian State Film Studio), the film is set during the Paris Commune of 1871 and tells the moving story of a young boy whose father, a committed communard, is killed on the barricades. Captured and imprisoned in Versailles, the boy holds on to his father’s tobacco pipe—a humble but powerful symbol of memory, love, and revolutionary spirit. Through poetic visuals and emotional restraint, the film reflects on the personal cost of political struggle, presenting a child's perspective on war, loss, and resilience. With cinematography by Sergei Zabozlayev and a cast that includes Tamar Sakvarelidze, Giorgi Davitashvili, and Shalva Dadiani, the film stands as a poignant example of late 1920s Soviet cinema blending historical narrative with emotional depth and visual lyricism. Though lesser-known internationally, it is considered an important work within early Georgian and Soviet film history.

Synopsis:

Set against the turbulent backdrop of the Paris Commune, the story follows a devoted father who brings his young son to the barricades. When the father is killed in the ensuing violence, the boy is captured and taken to a prison in Versailles. Despite his harrowing ordeal, the boy clings tightly to his father’s pipe his most enduring connection to his parent. This simple object captures the essence of his loss and resilience.

Cast & Crew:

Tamar Sakvarelidze
Giorgi Davitashvili
Shalva Dadiani
Mikheil Tumanishvili
Nato Vachnadze (reportedly appears in an unconfirmed or minor role)
Aleksandre Imedashvili
Victor Aprikyan

Director: Kote Marjanishvili (also credited as Kote Mardzhanov)
Screenplay: Based on a story by Ilya Ehrenburg
Cinematography: Sergei Zabozlayev
Production Company: Sakhkinmretsvi (Georgian State Cinema)
Original Title: Трубка коммунaра (Trubka kommunara)
English Title: The Communard’s Pipe
Country of Origin: Soviet Union (Georgian SSR)
Production Company: Sakhkinmretsvi (Georgian State Film Studio)
Language: Silent film with Russian intertitles
Premiere Date (Local): 14 February 1929 – Tbilisi, Georgian SSR
Wider Soviet Release: 30 July 1929 (approximate national rollout)
Runtime: Approximately 65 minutes (some records cite 49 minutes depending on version)