Feature Documentary: In the Land of the Lost Crusaders

In the Land of the Lost Crusaders is a story of the Khevsurian warriors, forgotten guardians and keepers of the honor and spirit of the ancient Georgian Kingdom in the Caucasus Mountains.

A small group of filmmakers are making this Georgian/Ukrainian/American feature documentary in a quest to capture and preserve the remnants of the last remaining Khevsureti  in the Republic of Georgia. Lesya Kalynska and Georgi Kharebava, directors and Niko Abazadze, producer are part of a collective consciousness sharing a vision of expansive plains, mountainous regions and unheralded traditions that evoke a sense of mystery and adventure.

Serhij Mykhalchuk, director of photography and cinematographer of MAMAY, Ukraine’s official entry in the 2004 Academy Awards for Best Foreign Film and Christina Kotlar, producer, among others, contribute to this arduous endeavor to save a living history and the fiercely independent spirit from dying a slow, inconsequential demise. Nationally renowned writer and artist, Les’ Podervjansky, embodies the narrative voice as this film will be dubbed into Ukrainian, Georgian and English.

The production team left for Tbilisi, in mid August 2007 for a 20-day shoot. There was little time before the rains come in early September. After that time, the roads will be inaccessible. As the location scouting video footage illustrated, the trails are narrow and treacherous and most of the access must be made on horseback and on foot. There are no sherpa here, only local guides with knowledge of the language and customs willing to lead the way. Everyone carried equipment along with their own backpacks.

In 2005, there were three remaining Khevsureti warriors in their mid-eighties. In 2006 one succumbed to illness. There are only two left and this may be the last opportunity to locate these Masters in the Mountains.

While there was some funding from the Ministry of Culture in the Republic of Georgia, the majority of funds were raised and contributed by the filmmakers. The limited amount was designated for the most important pieces of equipment and legal services. They borrowed film equipment –lights, lenses, audio mixer, cables, batteries, microphones, filters,  generator, tripods, mac computers and bought the essentials– carrying case accessories, DV tapes and hard drives.

Seventeen pieces of luggage including traditional costumes, swords and armor that had to get through customs and make it over to the other side of the world. Then the adventure begins…