A Documentary short film «DOG SHELTER» 2023

In "Dog Shelter", an inspiring documentary, we delve into the compelling life of Dewi, a young woman who, after enduring a near-death experience, awakens a newfound purpose in the most unlikely of places. Stricken by clinical death and confined to a hospital bed, a turning point arrives for Dewi when her father introduces a small puppy into her life.

For reasons steeped in mysticism, Dewi finds herself reborn, her vitality inexplicably restored. In an unexpected twist, she awakes the next day on the streets, amidst a group of stray dogs. Recognizing his daughter's profound connection to these homeless creatures, her father makes a bold decision to prevent losing her once more - he transforms his own home into a sanctuary for the neglected animals.

"Dog Shelter" paints a powerful narrative of resilience, humanity, and unconditional love. The documentary traces Dewi's incredible journey from a hospital bed in Bali to running a refuge that has given over 120 dogs and 25 cats a second chance at life. This unique tale not only bears testimony to Dewi's indomitable spirit but also spotlights the urgent issue of animal homelessness, making it a must-watch for both film enthusiasts and animal lovers worldwide.

  • Mariami Duduchava
    Director
  • Mariam Duduchava
    Writer
  • Leven Bridge Chen
    Producer
  • Katerina lisovskaia
    Producer
  • Dewi Layna
    Key Cast
  • Putri Yustikarani
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short
  • Runtime:
    5 hours 27 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    May 16, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    3,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Indonesia
  • Country of Filming:
    Indonesia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Sony a7iii
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Mariami Duduchava

Mariam Duduchava is a directress, contemporary artist, producer, and performance director. She is also involved in publishing as the author of ART_PRO_COLLAGE.

Duduchava's career began with active participation in exhibitions and projects. In 2016, Mariam took part in several significant projects and exhibitions. These included: Contemporary Art Exhibition as part of the PLAVLENIE Association at ArtPlay, Moscow; the Exhibition "Basic Instincts" at MARS Gallery, Moscow; the Photo project "The Origin of Light and Darkness", Moscow; the Photo project "Synesthesia of Bodies" for the sig. ma publication, Moscow; Work on the music video SARKOMAE — TAR, Moscow. In 2017, she continued her active exhibition activities. Among her projects were: "Pieces of You" - a contemporary art exhibition, in collaboration with Nadezhda Nefritova in Ibiza, Spain; Embodied in Body / DEHI - the launch of a capsule collection in collaboration with designer Tim Viter, Saint Petersburg; Performance "Body - Brush", Saint Petersburg; Installation Texture of Painted as part of the GEM fest, Anaklia, Georgia. In 2018, Duduchava continued to develop her creativity: Performance "Initiation / Initiate" at Trekhgornaya Manufactory, Moscow; Project "Colors of Spring" for the French company Leroy Merlin, Moscow. In 2019, the following works were presented: Presentation of the author's edition Art_Pro_Collage in "Gallery 21", Winzavod, Moscow; Performance "The Nile", Moscow; Personal exhibitions "Daughter of Peace" at the "Bogorodskoe" gallery, "Exhibition Halls of Moscow" Association, Moscow, and ORGANIC ART at DiDi Gallery, Saint Petersburg.

Film career
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In 2020, Mariam transitioned into the field of documentary cinema. She shot the pilot of a documentary film about visionary artists titled "Visionary of Reality". That same year, she enrolled in the Moscow School of Cinema on the "New Doc" intensive course and successfully graduated.

In 2021, Duduchava continued her work in the field of documentary cinema. She participated in the documentary almanac "YOU FROM THE FUTURE" and released a series of documentaries about art and meta-art. This series was picked up by the OKKO streaming platform.

In 2022, Mariam shot a documentary poetic teaser titled "WHOLENESS OF LIFE", which tells about immersion in integral meditation. That same year, she started working on the documentary series WEB3 and shot a teaser and pilot for this project on the island of Bali.

In 2022, she shot a documentary film "DOG SHELTER". The film follows the story of Dewi, an 18-year-old girl who began rescuing dogs on the island of Bali after a life-changing event seven years ago. Dewi's efforts have resulted in a shelter that now houses over 120 dogs and 25 cats.

Mariam Duduchava lives and works in Indonesia.

Thus, Mariam Duduchava is actively developing her creativity, moving from working with visual arts to cinema and documentary projects, making her a unique figure on the contemporary art scene.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The ethos of the distinguished English poet and artist, William Blake, encapsulates the essence of my entire filmmaking career. His poignant verse - "To See a World in a Grain of Sand / And a Heaven in a Wild Flower / Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand / And Eternity in an hour" - mirrors my perception of the world.

From an early age, I was captivated by the magic of the mundane. Even a water droplet sliding down a car window could present an entire universe, with sunlight transforming it into a brilliant star.

The sense of awe I experienced in those moments, as I perceived extraordinary beauty in the ordinary, has remained with me. Initially aspiring to become a scientist, I aimed to explore laboratories of the human psyche and emotions, which eventually led me to the world of cinema.

My career in film represents a dive into sensuality and emotional emancipation. In documentaries, I probe the human potential, explore scientific evidence, and reflect on technological advancements. In feature films, I navigate the full spectrum of sexual diversities and candid character revelations, unbound by cliches and steered by an unconventional script.