More than 100 films and only 14 days of the festival - such a program was presented this week by "Cinema spring". This year, it is extremely rich in film stories that have been evaluated at Cannes, Venice and other international film festivals, awarded with "Golden Globes", "BAFTA" and nominated for "Oscars" - it seems that it is really not easy to choose. Therefore, having seen all the films, the "Kino pavasaris" team rushes to help and recommends what to watch from March 14 to 27, and at the same time to buy tickets at the lowest price this week (February 29 to March 1).
Green wall (Green Border, dir. Agnieszka Holland)
Algirdas Ramaška, director of Kino pavasaris, says that if he had to choose only one film from the program that he would like to show to everyone, it would be "Green Wall". "For me, this is a film about humanity," Algirdas admits. - Today we live in a very complicated world, where everything is very confusing and easy to get lost, and when searching for the truth, the only right direction is simply humanity. I can confidently say that this is one of the strongest and most important films I have ever seen in my life."
We are all strangers (All of Us Strangers, dir. Andrew Haigh)
The executive director of the festival, Konradas Kazlauskas, recommends the film "Visi mes svetimi". "This is the discovery of this year and personally for me the best film of the program about love, memories, about the fear of being alone. About what is real and what, perhaps, is not. The created atmosphere and feeling is reminiscent of last year's festival hit "After the Sun". Actor Paul Mescal does a wonderful job and lead role in both movies, and they both share a memory lane. After the film, I invite you to try to answer the question, what is real and what is not?'' he says.
Area of interest (The Zone of Interest, dir. Jonathan Glazer)
"This film about the Holocaust does not only talk about the past, but also about what is happening today," Dovilė Grigaliūnaitė, head of the festival's program and purchases, presents her choice. - He talks about the banality of evil and people's reconciliation with the evil around them. In the film, this is conveyed by sound - evil will accompany us all the time, it will be heard somewhere, even if we try to close our eyes. This film is so important and powerful that it had to be the opening film.”
In the yellow silkworm cocoon (Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell, directed by Phạm Thiên An)
Meanwhile, Karolis Žukas, the creator of the "Cinema Spring" program, invites you to go to the lands that are a little less common in cinema and see Vietnamese director Phạm Thiên An's peaceful and dreamy journey in "The Yellow Silkworm Cocoon". "Filled with striking images of Vietnam, the film is expertly paced and explores the deep questions of human existence, grief, faith and death that visit the main character after a tragedy. This mesmerizing debut is a complex yet meaningful meditation that rewards those who patiently immerse themselves in its slow rhythm. This is a film that can provoke dreams or even hallucinations," Karolis provokes.
Creatura (Creatura, directed by Elena Martín)
Odeta Morkūnienė, financial manager of Kino pavasaris, recommends a live, safe film that explores female sexuality. "Thirty-five-year-old Mila's body is sending signals - itching, an aggressive rash. It comes from her excitement. The connection between repressed desires and feelings of guilt and shame is sought. A very earthy palette of images and sounds - body and nature, gurgling and moaning, sea water and Mila's skin, biting and rocks. Instincts and urges unfold naturally in the film, without fear or morality. It's liberating. We are sexual beings, creatura," she says.
Accumulators (Hoard, dir. Luna Carmoon)
Giedrius Petkevičius, the producer of "Kino pavasaris" admits that his recommended film "Kaupikai" is definitely not for everyone. "But for me, a big fan of British cinema, it's fantastic." Brilliant and unquestionable acting, a masterful script creates such a world of the film that engages from the first frames and does not leave for long. This film is definitely the one you leave with after coming to the cinema," Giedrius has no doubts.
Witch of love (The Love Witch, directed by Anna Biller)
Tarot cards, poisons, charms, erotica - the "Love Witch" recommended by program department coordinator Benita Paplauskaitė will cast a spell with her very first shots. "Although it was made in 2016, the film is not at all different from the horror films of the 60s and 70s, which were directed by the male gaze," says Benita. - Meanwhile, here the director Anna Biller playfully uses and at the same time mentions the clichés of these films. "Love Witch" is feminist, mystical, magical, witty and sometimes creepy. It will surely touch everyone who has ever been in love or dreamed of true love. I recommend not to miss if you want a little lighter content with a pinch of witchcraft and erotica,” she says.
The young creators of the program provoke people to close their eyes in the cinema hall
And what do young viewers recommend not to miss at the festival? This year, the young program makers of Meno Avilio present a collection of films "Dear Ones, Close Your Eyes". It includes films about finding personal boundaries and maintaining those boundaries in relation to others: How to Have Sex, Villagers, Hoarders and Green Wall. With the ironic title of the program, the young creators of the set provoke the viewer: closing your eyes means being indifferent, not trying to help others or fight for yourself and your beliefs.
Tickets will be available at the lowest price from February 29 to March 1. at cinema box offices and online, and the "Kino pavasaris" subscription campaign will take place on March 7-8. The 29th Vilnius City Film Festival "Cinema Spring" will be held on March 14-27. The festival is supported by big partners "ERGO" and "Telia Play", partially financed by the Lithuanian Cinema Center, Vilnius city municipality, "Creative Europe" MEDIA.
