Documentary "How we played the revolution" - soon in London
A moving documentary about rock and freedom in the late eighties in Lithuania How We Played The Revolution will be shown in London for the first time 11 March, 6.20 pm at the Gate Cinema, 87 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3JZ. The film director Giedrė Žickytė will be present for a Q&A.
This is to mark 11 March – the Day of the Restoration of the Independence of Lithuania. It was on that day in 1990 that members of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania voted to re-establish the independent state of Lithuania for the second time in the 20th century, declaring that the Act of Independence of 16 February, 1918 had never lost its legal effect. Tickets and information
About the film:
Moscow was losing its grip on the vast territories it governed in the mid-1980s, although its repressive laws still effectively intimidated people into silence.
As perestroika took hold, however, change rippled its way into the small Baltic country of Lithuania. What started as a joke cabaret to ring in the New Year in 1985 became the subversive art-rock phenomenon Antis, often cited as the spark of the Lithuanian independence movement.
By cleverly fronting as a Soviet-endorsed music festival that toured around the country, the group travelled with other bands and supporters to spread the message of liberation, much to the incredulity of the audience.
Both on and off stage, the musicians led emotional sing-alongs of banned Lithuanian songs that brought crowds to a state of euphoria.
Director Giedrė Žickytė relives 'the singing revolution', which was spearheaded by jeans, eyeliner and a lethal dose of brilliant rock-star posturing.
Screened in partnership with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania and the Lithuanian Embassy in London.
