The film is inspired by the brutal and unlawful deportation of thousands of Georgians by the Russian government in 2006. 

In Russia, at the time of the cruel and illegal mass deportation campaign of Georgians. A young Georgian woman, Medea, who recently sold her house in Georgia, goes to view an apartment in St. Petersburg’s historic centre. It is on sale for a very low price, but it comes together with its owner, an old man named Vadim Vadimich. Medea is pleased with everything, even the prospect of having an old man as a flatmate doesn’t scare her. She is ready to move in immediately and start a new life but she should have a month-long probation period.

“The Antique” is a heart-warming parable about the hopes and aspirations of migrants in an uncertain world, but it also illustrates the indiscriminate and cruel ways in which politics derail human lives. The story is set in modern-day St. Petersburg during the illegal mass expulsions of Georgian migrants from Russia but was inspired by real events that caused great distress to my country and me personally. (Director's Statement)

Georgia nominated the film for the Best International Film Oscar.