列佐·吉吉涅什维利，Rezo Gigineishvili is a Georgian film director born in Tbilisi in 1982. He currently lives and works both in Georgia and Russia. He studied at the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography (VGIK). While still at university, Rezo worked as second unit director of Fedor Bondarchuk's box office hits The 9th Company (2005) and The Inhabited Island (2007). He directed his feature debut 'Heat' in 2006. With a budget of $1.4M, the film grossed $15.7M internationally and stills stands as a top box office earner in Russia. 'Heat' attracted attention to Rezo as a strong young talent in Russia and the post-Soviet states. In 2012 Rezo wrote and directed the romantic comedy 'Love with accent' in Georgia. It featured a high-profile international cast from Russia, Georgia and other post-Soviet countries. The film was a commercial success both in Russia and Georgia. As a result, the sequel to the film, 'No borders', which was shoot in Georgia, Armenia, Russia and Kazakhstan, was released in 2015. Rezo Gigineishvili is an established commercial director who is transitioning into auteur cinema, emphasizing his directorial signature and commitment to the audience. With 'Hostages' he is focusing fully on the issues that concern him as an artist.