First stop in Georgia for ‘Garuda Vega’ team was Enguri Dam. It’s the largest Hydroelectric Dam in the country of Georgia which serves electricity and drinking water to 3/4th of the country. It is also the 6th largest in the world with a height of 271.5 meters (891 ft). It’s located in the western part of Georgia in a conflict zone with Abkhazia. Occasional shell firing was heard during the 7 day shoot reports team members. There was a constant movement of both Georgian and Abkhazian troops on either side of the river and the team was shooting an action sequence involving parachutes, military planes, trucks, M-16 Machine guns and heavy blasts. There was a constant fear of what if a war breaks out, but the Georgian troops and Dam officials were very cooperative and assertive of the situation. The Chief in charge of the dam, John Chania has given us unprecedented access to the nook and corner of the dam to shoot.
Weather was another issue in this mountainous terrain. At 4 degrees, cold winds were blowing up to 30miles/hr and drones wouldn’t fly to capture the majestic location in full capacity. Men on parachutes weren’t able to control their landing. Winds would suddenly change directions. Any inexperienced stunt man would end up crashing in to the mountains. But film making is all about taming these situations and capturing what is required.
