- New Generation of Women Filmmakers -
In its constant quest for the most outstanding emerging filmmakers from little exposed cinema cultures in the UK, Land in Focus revealed to London audiences the captivating films by a new generation of women filmmakers in Lithuania.
The film programme comprised six truly distinctive short films, ranging from documentary to animation, from video art to a more traditional storytelling, each of them executed with a very personal and cutting-edge style.
In order to explore the emerging women-led film scene in the country, a panel discussion with three of the directors took place after the screening of the films. Simona Žemaitytė, Aušra Linkevičiūtė and Dovilė Šarutytė addressed the current situation and trends of the Lithuanian film scene whilst sharing their own personal experiences as young film professionals.
The panel discussion was moderated by writer, researcher and film programmer Daniel Bird, lecturer in Russian and Eastern European Cinema at both Sheffield University and Salford University.
Film Programme:
No Routine (Nerutina) Dir: Jūratė Samulionytė / 2007 / 15’
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… “No Rutine” is the first photo film in Lithuania — created from 80,000 individual photos.
Silver Crane Award: 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
It Would Be Splendid, Yet… (Jau puiku, tik dar šiek tiek…) Dir: Lina Lužytė / 2009 / 28’
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
Film about Unknown Artist (Filmas apie nežinomą menininkę) Dir: Laura Garbštienė / 2009 / 12′
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
Anything But Black (Tik ne juoda) Dir: Aušra Linkevičiūtė / 2009 / 20’
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
Born in the USSR (Gimę SSRS) Dir: Simona Žemaitytė / 2010 / 7’
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.
I know you (Aš tave žinau) Dir: Dovilė Šarutytė / 2009 / 32’
‘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
Panel discussion with Aušra Linkevičiūtė, Simona Žemaitytė and Dovilė Šarutytė, moderated by Daniel Bird.
This event is supported by the Lithuanian Embassy in the UK.
