The study and critical analysis of a specific nation’s history, as well as the broader context of global history, forms the foundational pillar of the educational system. Civic education plays a pivotal role in this regard. In this context, project-based learning emerges as a particularly valuable approach.

A project titled “Society and its Problems Depicted in Feature Films” was conducted in the 10th and 11th grades at the Davit Sarajishvili St. Tbilisi N16 and Kaspi N1 public schools. The project involved screening carefully selected films to students, followed by an in-depth analysis of these films through the lens of civic awareness development. Students were tasked with identifying the historical period depicted in the films, analyzing the societal structure portrayed, investigating the characters’ struggles, examining their rights and the violations of those rights, understanding the root causes of these issues, and exploring the types of governance under which such events might transpire. Moreover, the project encouraged students to consider potential solutions to these societal challenges.

One of the most compelling films discussed during the project was the Georgian feature film The Tree of Desire. Based on the work of 20th-century Georgian author Giorgi Leonidze, the film portrays the life of a Georgian village and explores the fate of its inhabitants under the conditions of an authoritarian regime. While the film does not overtly address political themes, it implicitly invites the audience to identify the societal problems prevalent in the depicted village and to consider the kinds of political structures that allow such a society to exist.

Leonidze, a writer active during the period when Georgia was under Soviet control, was deeply affected by the totalitarian regime that suppressed personal, national, and social rights. During this time, many of Leonidze's friends were executed, including his own brother. These personal tragedies profoundly shaped his literary work, and in The Tree of Desire, he presents the story of Marita, the village's most beautiful and virtuous woman, who becomes a victim of an unjust mob execution on baseless charges. Through the lens of this film, students revisited the turbulent history of 20th-century Georgia, offering insights and drawing conclusions that were later presented in a formal presentation.

The project adopted an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating collaboration with teachers from various fields, including Georgian language and literature, history, art, and geography. Additionally, experts in linguistics were invited to enhance the students’ understanding of the subject matter.

The overarching objective of the project, which was successfully executed, was to underscore the importance of societal awareness in securing individual rights and democratic governance. The project emphasized that, in order to achieve meaningful democratic change in any country, society must first and foremost demonstrate collective responsibility and engagement.

Keywords: Civic education, project-based learning, critical analysis, Society problems.