Negative numbers - School Movie on Mathematics

Negative Numbers is a compelling 2019 drama featuring Sandro Kalandadze, Viktor Barbakadze, and Tedo Bekhauri, that attempts to bridge the chasm between imprisonment, the spirit of freedom, and the concept of mathematics.

The narrative weaves a tale around two brothers, Niko and Gio - portrayed by Tedo Bekhauri and Giorgi Khurtsilava respectively, who operate a semi-illegal business inside a juvenile prison in Georgia. The siblings' lives take a dramatic turn when their paths intersect with a fascinating character, Lasha, played by Sandro Kalandadze, an old friend and an ex-professional Rugby player turned math teacher.

Sandro, in his convincing portrayal of Lasha, introduces a spark of change and hope in the grim environment of the prison. He comes in with an innovative program to teach math to juvenile prisoners. What could have been a straightforward educational endeavor turns into a tale of struggle against the system, personal redemption, and the inherent tension between two opposing camps.

One of the camps is led by Vato, the menacing head of the prison, portrayed by Viktor Barbakadze. He operates his own set of rules inside the prison walls, offering protection services to the young inmates with an iron fist. On the other side, a reform-driven administration wishes to employ novel teaching methods to engage the prisoners, including Lasha's math program.

As Lasha tries to teach the complex principles of mathematics, he is faced with a relentless struggle against corruption, violence, and uncertainty of the system. Mathematics, in this context, becomes a metaphor for the order and logic in place vs. the chaos and arbitrary rules within the prison walls. Through the linear and disciplined structure of mathematics, Lasha aims to provide the brothers and other inmates with a different perspective and a chance at a better future.

The lead actors – Sandro Kalandadze, Viktor Barbakadze, and Tedo Bekhauri – deliver performances that are impactful, relatable, and emotionally engrossing. Their character arcs are well-developed, engaging audiences on a visceral level and making them care for their fates.

The cinematography sets the stage for the intense atmosphere of the film, perfectly capturing the bleakness of the prison environment and the little glimmers of hope that arise in the form of Lasha and his teachings. The film manages to successfully intertwine the grim realities of the prison's daily life with the intriguing world of mathematical problems, creating an interesting dialogue that reverberates even after the film has ended.

The original screenplay by Uta Beria infuses life into the characters and the storyline, creating a narrative that’s refreshingly different yet relatable. The film’s unswerving gaze towards Georgia’s flawed juvenile correction system and its impact is portrayed in an unbiased, unfiltered light, highlighting the filmmaker Uta Beria's confidence in his story-telling abilities.

Negative Numbers, while being a celluloid representation of a responsible society’s need for relooking at juvenile correction methods, does not shy away from unsettling truths. The film takes its viewers on a brutal journey through black-market economies, power struggles, resilience, and the depths to which humanity can sink or rise.

In their pursuit of freedom and opportunities, Niko, Gio, and other young prisoners find themselves navigating a complex network of power, intimidation, and education. Even as Lasha tries to reform the rigid prison environment through an academic approach, the existing system and its enforcers seek to maintain the status quo, creating an imminent clash that’s suspenseful, dramatic, and emotionally intense.

Negative Numbers is a deeply moving film that provides a poignant glimpse into the lives of juvenile prisoners. Through its exploration of the transformative power of education and the relentless human spirit, the film urges its audience to reconsider preconceived notions, not just about crime and punishment, but life itself.

In conclusion, Negative Numbers is not merely a refreshing cinematic experience but a hard-hitting commentary on Georgia's juvenile detention system, the magic and power of mathematics, and the indomitable human spirit's quest for reform and redemption.