Lithuania made a remarkable impact at the prestigious Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland on August 17, emerging as the most awarded country at the event. The nation’s filmmakers took home an impressive array of honors, including four awards and two special cash prizes, showcasing the rising talent and creative prowess of Lithuanian cinema on the international stage.
Golden Leopard Triumph for Akiplėša (Toxic)
The highlight of the festival for Lithuania was undoubtedly the triumph of Saulė Bliuvaitė’s debut feature film, Akiplėša (Toxic), which secured the festival’s top accolade, the Golden Leopard. This powerful and poignant film, produced by Giedrė Burokaitė, not only captured the hearts of the main jury but also earned the Best Debut award, underscoring the exceptional promise of Bliuvaitė as a filmmaker.
Akiplėša (Toxic) tells the gritty and emotional story of teenage life in a decaying industrial area. The film follows 13-year-olds Marija and Kristina as they dream of escaping their bleak surroundings by participating in the country’s largest model audition. However, the pursuit of beauty leads them to take drastic and dangerous measures. Directed by Vytautas Katkus and executive produced by Justė Michailinaitė, the film resonated deeply with both the Ecumenical and Youth Juries, which awarded it two additional cash prizes.
Double Victory for Sesės (Drowning Dry)
Lithuania’s success at Locarno didn’t stop there. Director Laurynas Bareiša’s latest work, Sesės (Drowning Dry) garnered two significant awards, further solidifying Lithuania’s reputation for outstanding filmmaking. The film, produced by Klementina Remeikaitė and Matiss Kaža, won the Best Director award for Bareiša’s masterful storytelling and direction.
Moreover, the ensemble cast of Sesės (Drowning Dry) featuring Gelminė Glemžaitė, Agnė Kaktaitė, Giedrius Kiela, and Paulius Markevičius, was collectively honored with the Best Actor award, a testament to their compelling and nuanced performances.
Sesės (Drowning Dry) unfolds over the course of a sweltering summer day, where two couples—Justė and her family, and Ernesta with her son and victorious martial artist husband—seek relaxation at a peaceful farmhouse. What begins as a tranquil weekend getaway soon unravels into a tense drama, as unspoken emotions, jealousy, and rivalry bubble to the surface, leading to an unexpected climax. The film’s exploration of human relationships and hidden tensions has captivated audiences and critics alike.
A Bright Future for Lithuanian Cinema
The success of Lithuanian filmmakers at the Locarno International Film Festival signals a bright future for the nation’s cinema. Two years prior, Laurynas Bareiša had already made headlines by winning the Venice Film Festival’s Horizons programme with his debut film, Pilgrims (Piligrimai), also produced by Klementina Remeikaitė. With the accolades at Locarno, Lithuania has once again demonstrated its ability to produce films that resonate on a global scale.
For those eager to witness Lithuania’s cinematic prowess firsthand, Sesės (Drowning Dry) will be screened in Lithuanian theatres starting from September 20. The film’s release is highly anticipated, offering audiences an opportunity to experience the work of one of the country’s most promising directors.
As Lithuanian filmmakers continue to gain recognition and acclaim internationally, the world is beginning to take notice of the unique and powerful stories emerging from this small but creatively rich nation. The awards at Locarno are just the beginning, heralding a new era of Lithuanian cinema that promises to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.
