Land In Focus presents Lithuania In Focus. New Generation of Women Filmmakers
4 December, 2011. In its constant quest for the most outstanding emerging filmmakers filmmakers from little exposed cinema cultures in the UK, Land In Focus now reveals to London audiences the most exciting generation of women filmmakers in Lithuania. The film programme will comprise six truly distinctive short films, ranging from documentary to animation, and from video art to a more traditional storytelling, each of them executed with a very personal and cutting-edge style. More information: http://www.landinfocus.com/lithuania-in-focus/
In order to explore the women led film scene in the country there will be a panel discussion after the screening of the films. Simona Žemaitytė, Aušra Linkevičiūtė and Dovilė Šarutytė will address the current situation and trends of the Lithuanian film scene whilst sharing their own personal experiences as young film professionals. Moderated by Daniel Bird, Sheffield University.
Programme of the evening:
Nerutina / No Routine (2007) 15’ (feat)
Director: Jūratė Samulionytė
Script: Jūratė Samulionytė
Camera: Audrius Zelenius
Music: Titas Petrikis
Cast: Saulius Čėpla, Elžbieta Latėnaitė
Henrikas works in an office and lives in an endless routine. The loner has his own secret world where things come to life. The playful creatures want to help their owner escape the monotony. One day Henrikas comes across the end of a long, white ribbon, and he starts following it. The magic ribbon winds through buildings, streets, and backyards, until it leads Henrikas… Where, you ask? — Into an exciting no routine. It is the first photo film in Lithuania — created from 80,000 individual photos.
Silver Crane Award: The Best Lithuanian Short Film 2008
Website: http://www.noroutine.lt/
http://www.noroutine.lt/index_en.html
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsgihA4TupU
Jau puiku, tik dar šiek tiek… / It Would Be Splendid, Yet… (2009) 28’ (feat)
Director: Lina Lužytė
Script: Lina Lužytė
Camera: Feliksas Abrukauskas
Cast: Gabija Ryškuvienė, Rimantė Valiukaitė, Rytis Saladžius, Andrius Paulavičius, Domas Pirštelis
The year is 1992 and Lithuania has already re-established independence. All eyes are on Lithuania as her citizens celebrate their regained freedom… and the imported goods that are quickly filling up the shops that stood empty in Soviet times. But the time of “deficits” is not over yet. The story takes place in a factory where the workers draw lots for the chance to buy an imported refrigerator. Everyone yearns for the fridge, but Danguolė wants it most of all. Danguolė doesn’t win the fridge. Even worse – her neighbour does! But Danguolė doesn’t leave empty-handed. She wins a special prize – the honour of welcoming an American photojournalist who will arrive in Lithuania in three days time to photograph Danguolė and her family. The photo reportage will present independent Lithuania to the world and Danguolė the factory worker suddenly becomes a unique ambassador for the new Lithuania.
Website and trailer: http://www.artbox.lt/?page=portfolio&lang=en§ion=movies&id=85
Filmas apie nežinomą menininkę / Film about an Unknown Artist (2009) 12'
by Laura Garbštienė
The film is a witty, yet politically charged story, which ironically questions the myth of artistic genius as a romantic concept.
International Critics' Prize (FIPRESCI Prize))
Special mention of the International Jury at the 56th International Short Film Festival Oberhausen
Break (15')
Tik ne juoda / Anything but black (2009) 20’ (doc)
Created by Aušra Linkevičiūtė
The 20 minute documentary focuses on a simple and natural subject – death. At least this is what it seems to the elderly rural women interviewed by the filmmaker. There is no fear, only serene smiles on their faces when they show their future “death dresses”. The attitude of the heroines of the film towards death is incomprehensible and unacceptable to the younger generation, which rejects the fact of death and is sceptical about the philosophy of their mothers and grandmothers. “Anything But Black” is a glance at old age, unique rural traditions and gradually changing values and fashions.
Best Film Award at the International Student Ethnographic Film Festival in London, United Kingdom
Trailer / excerpt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrm__0nolYE
Gimę SSRS / Born in the USSR (2010) 7’ (ani)
Created by Simona Žemaitytė
Producer Ieva Bužinskaitė
One night the children of the USSR came up with a secret plan of how to find out what was behind their hills and borders. They built a magical ship out of faith, love and lyrics in Simona Žemaitytė’s animated allegory.
Aš tave žinau / I know you (2009) 32’ (feat)
Director: Dovilė Šarutytė
Producers: Rūta Jekentaitė, Asta Valčiukaitė
Script: Dovilė Šarutytė
Camera: Mantas Šatkus
Music: left|right, Vygintas Kisevičius, Elena Neniškytė
Cast: Julija Steponaitytė, Vaida Lisiskaitė, Aistė Motiejūnaitė, Kasparas Andriulevičius, Šarūnas Banevičius
If you are standing among blocks of flats and don’t see any people around, it doesn’t mean that you are alone. There are thousands of people around you. And they are so close, that you can’t run away. The main character is a fifteen-year old girl who feels that her room, her district, her school and even herself is too small for her. She falls in love, gets disappointed, her eyes open. Sometimes you just have to take a step forward and jump into the water. The girl dives out of the district frames, and there is no need to run away anymore...
Silver Crane Award: Best Lithuanian short film 2010
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDkZOad61YU
Discussion with Aušra Linkevičiūtė, Simona Žemaitytė and Dovilė Šarutytė.
The evening organized by Land in focus and supported by the Lithuanian Embassy in the UK.
4th December, 4pm doors open, films from 4.30pm. Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, City of London E1 6LA
