Discoveries from Lithuania World Cinema

A birdwatcher meets a mysterious stranger in a remote birdwatching tower. As the stranger's presence becomes more disturbing, the birdwatcher gets pulled into an unsettling experience.

Vilnius is a city of notable historical heritage and unique character currently undergoing considerable changes. Some of the life fragments our camera has recorded are no more. The film, therefore, is a testimony to that which has faded into oblivion, and a glimpse into what is to come.

Lithuania, 1941, during World War II. Hundreds of thousands of texts on Jewish culture, stolen by the Germans, are gathered in Vilnius to be classified, either to be stored or to be destroyed. A group of Jewish scholars and writers, commissioned by the invaders to carry out the sorting operations, but reluctant to collaborate and determined to save their legacy, hide many books in the ghetto where they are confined. This is the epic story of the Paper Brigade.

The film tells the story of the work of the first border guards at the dawn of Lithuania's independence. The controversial and tragic events at the border, the circumstances of which have not been widely disclosed until now.

Colorful life of 19th century Lithuanian country side, is what Jurgis experiences when he meets a book smuggler.

A troubled young man spends a night in town with an animated girl.

A father, who unexpectedly gets custody of his teenage daughter, has a second chance to gain back her trust and rebuild their relationship.

The sailor Audrius comes ashore for the last time in his life. The story unfolds through Audrius’ journey and his many encounters over the weekend as autumn turns to winter. He is driven by a severe lack of time. Inadequate actions and reactions make sense when we find out his secret: he’s dying of Leukemia. During his grandmother’s birthday in her countryside village, surrounded by his family and after reassuring his son, he makes a final attempt to find resolve and peace. Farewell is a moving universal tale, uplifting and heart warming, verbally laconic and visually rich. It is a clear-cut story of the human spirit, which is both relentless and immortal.

A drug smuggler is betrayed by his partner and is then forced to seek help from Russian mobsters.

A grown-up son goes on a countryside trip with his ageing parents in the hopes of reigniting the relationship, but there is nothing left to reignite. This story of familial dysfunction is set against the picturesque backdrop of a dacha community (instantly recognisable to every post-Soviet native), rendered by Vytautas Katkas with irony and a rare sympathy for his hapless subjects.

A talkative taxi driver roams the nightly streets. An apathetic girl enters his car. The two don't seem to connect, until she asks to make a stop with intent to cause harm upon someone. Does their shared trip even have a destination?

When a London-based DJ Egle returns to native Lithuania for an Easter celebration, she finds herself facing more than just the music.

A livestreamer looking for his big break in the world of social media takes his viewers for a hike in a supposedly haunted forest. When he stumbles upon something he shouldn't have seen, it turns out that ghosts might be real.

Following a traumatic experience, Gaile, a speech therapist, is incapable of feeling any emotion. However, while preparing a video presentation for a scientific conference, she sees herself on screen and is surprised to find suppressed sensations returning to her, primarily feelings of aggression. Gaile decides to try an experiment. With the help of a man and his video camera she stages various provoking situations and shows the result to those involved. Throughout the experience she is unable to perceive the value of normal emotions, or even the possibility that someone may have feelings for her

Juste volunteers at the electronic music festival in the middle of the woods. Everything seems to be nice and fun until an angry gang disrupts the event. Becoming their target and realizing there is no one to help her, Juste decides to take action herself.

On a summer day, a man, his daughter and his companion arrive at their country house to spend the weekend. The daughter has just moved in with her father, whose attention she desires. The man is tired of his life, and does not know where to find the strength to carry on living. The woman, a violinist, is confused in her priorities - music, love or career. Despite the fact that the man and the woman love each other, their tense relationship is on the brink of collapse.

Auksė and her father Saulius arrive at her late grandfather’s house, where Auksė learns that Saulius intends to sell it. Guided by visions of the past Auksė tries to convince Saulius to reconsider the sale, but the cold relationship between them leads to a conflict where no one is completely right.

The film analyses the problems of raising crime among unemployed youth.

It is a story about a woman with a desperate desire to escape the reality and to fly away. But she has only eight minutes, that’s the longest sunbed session she could afford. And at the very moment when the artificial sun lamp turns off, she will have to go back to the reality. First to the cheap tanning salon, then to the everyday life with sleet, traffic jams and stress – ultimately back to the daily routine. The tiny vacation is over. But only until the next time, until the next moment of weakness.

This film about the Baltic nation of Lithuania from 1989 to 1991, when it broke away from the Soviet Union. This period of peaceful protests involving lots of singing came to be known as the "singing revolution."

Juste volunteers at the electronic music festival in the middle of the woods. Everything seems to be nice and fun until an angry gang disrupts the event. Becoming their target and realizing there is no one to help her, Juste decides to take action herself.

On a summer day, a man, his daughter and his companion arrive at their country house to spend the weekend. The daughter has just moved in with her father, whose attention she desires. The man is tired of his life, and does not know where to find the strength to carry on living. The woman, a violinist, is confused in her priorities - music, love or career. Despite the fact that the man and the woman love each other, their tense relationship is on the brink of collapse.

The film analyses the problems of raising crime among unemployed youth.

This film about the Baltic nation of Lithuania from 1989 to 1991, when it broke away from the Soviet Union. This period of peaceful protests involving lots of singing came to be known as the "singing revolution."

A person pitches an idea to their boss about manipulation of gravity.

A classic of the Lithuanian province - nature is beautiful, everyone is loaded with work, though, there are not much people. Martynas, who lives in Veisiejai, has the goal of finding a wife, but he can't do it either on dating apps or in the neighborhood. After two years of unsuccessful searches, even the town's Mayor steps in to help. He organizes an influencer contest, hoping to attract tourists to Veisiejai, and at the same time find a wife for Martynas. The competition and the huge cash prize attract the attention of internet celebrities, among whom is the popular beauty Aureja. Martynas falls in love with a girl, but the plans of the budding couple are ruined by unexpected news.

A poetic and atypical nature film about the various inhabitants of an old-growth forest, on the ground, in the air and in the water. There's no commentary, only the rich, almost palpable sounds of the forest and the magical situations captured by the camera. Although we might sometimes be puzzled as to what's actually happening a mating ritual or the start of a fight? the lack of explanation leaves space for us to associate freely and simply experience the images. The film offers a close-up view of a wide range of creatures such as the insect that appears out of the melting snow, gradually begins to move and impatiently waits until all its legs are free so it can fly away. The scale of the portraits is sometimes grand and at other times modest, but always filmed with precision, whether in daylight or at night. Time doesn't seem to matter in this extraordinary piece of slow cinema.

The film presents the multifaceted personality of writer Jurgis Kunčinas, his creative workshop; his personal life is discussed openly, without avoiding painful biographical facts.

Based on true story of four friends who decided to take over the city. Giedrius is released after serving a long 12 year sentence for unlawful conduct he did with his friends while being a child.

Artificial intelligence is born in a new body, after learning that he is only a refrigerator, the Fridge tries to establish a human connection with its creator. Eventually the Fridge realizes that Creator and life are inaccessible, which leads to the question: statistically, is it worth to live?

Four Lithuania's founding fathers suddenly come back to life 100 years later after signing Lithuania's declaration of independence. Now it's stored somewhere in Berlin's archives, and they are on a mission to get it back.

A family who call themselves true patriots of Lithuania is preparing for a special celebration - their son's send-off to the volunteer army. The father is the happiest about his son's choice, as he divides people into only two groups: patriots and traitors to the state. But as the farewell approaches, the joy is replaced by increasing tension, until finally, hidden emotions erupt. Conflicts of values come to the surface, and the attempts of the household to prove their devotion to their homeland begin to teeter on the edge of the absurd. In the end, it turns out that the true patriots are not those who speak loudly of their love for their country.

Most of the Christmas trees sold in Europe originate from a small mountainous region of Georgia. Together with the families running Christmas tree businesses we follow the journey of the ultimate winter symbol crossing countries and cultures, from Georgian fir forests, through Christmas tree farms in Denmark, shopping rush and festive fireworks. As the holidays are over and the cities quiet down, here and there lie the abandoned Christmas trees.

Legendary legends Orestes and Džilda, summoned by a humble journalist to cover their triumph, set off for the San Remo Song Festival, where the ideal stage and family duo navigate the labyrinthine maze of a relationship, where clouds of jealousy and ambition loom.

Teleplay based on August Strindberg's works.

An artful and colorful short film.

Kazys Jonaitis, nicknamed the "Road Maniac," is considered the most notorious and perhaps the most vicious serial killer in Lithuania. The court has established that he would pick up girls for a ride, knock them unconscious with blows to the head, and rape them. The bodies of three girls were found, although it cannot be ruled out that there may have been more. Only one girl managed to escape from the maniac who was rampaging on the Vilnius-Kaunas road. The filmmakers interview the judge and prosecutor in charge of the case to reveal the details of this gruesome case, as well as obtain an interview with Kazys Jonaitis himself, who is currently serving a life sentence.

To mark the centennial of professional ballet in Lithuania, Léo Delibes’s masterpiece *Coppélia* is making a grand return to the stage of the National Opera and Ballet Theatre in Vilnius in a production directed by Martynas Rimeikis.

A single music teacher - Lina meets famous TV-host Tomas. They make a deal - Lina goes on online dates and provides Tomas with funny stories from her dates for his show in exchange for a new piano for her school.

Gustas acts strangely, begs to be woken up — as if trying to escape a dream. Gustas calls his sister — no answer. He and his friends find themselves in an underground club. Music hypnotizes Gustas. Later, Gustas returns to his home. In bed lies his sister’s lifeless body. Gustas calmly says: “Don’t worry. It’s just a dream.”

The life of beautiful, irrepressible Christina starts falling apart when she learns that her husband Paulius has some unfinished business with dangerous men, stolen money and other women.

It's a feature-length narrative film about a middle-class couple, that wants to adopt the perfect little girl, but they end up being offered a rebellious 12-year-old boy.

Lithuania in the near future. The land is full of rich immigrants. Rich Lithuanians that were scattered throughout the world return to Lithuania to spend their golden years in luxurious nursing homes; and the laws that govern life and death provide a feeling of security... The residents of the Garden of Eden look upon this "global theatre of life" with tearful smiles and great wisdom.

A large mansion with centuries of history is home to a wealthy but very conservative family that still chooses the grooms for brides-to-be. One day Milda, trembling with fear, decides to present her next groom to the household.

A rookie policeman is left alone in a private clinic to guard a comatose suspect of World War II crimes. His shift is long over, yet nobody comes to replace him. However, the youngster is determined not to leave his post until he gets permission from his authorities to do so. Lack of sleep, loneliness, hunger and the persistence to serve his duty turn the young man into a ticking time bomb at the very wrong time. He must decide how far he can go guarding this suspect who is hated to death by everyone.

Dainius, a young rock singer, locks himself away in a secluded country house surrounded by swamps. Hoping to meet his beloved in dreamland, the musician is eagerly assisted in his studies by a local boy exploited by moonshiners.

Whether it's playing games in a military zone, cheating at school tests, crossing borders for cheap thrills or doing whatever it takes to make illicit money - these boys know that with every risk, they move closer and closer to an irreversible jeopardy. Deftly exploring masculinity and peer-pressure, these five coming-of-age tales from France, the Netherlands and Lithuania from burgeoning new filmmakers demonstrate that sometimes young hearts can run dangerously free. The short films are: Gotta (2015); The Last Day of School (2019); Tree House [Cabane] (2016); Gameboy (2014); Pollux (2018).

Dorothy - a little Kansas girl reads a magical book and is spirited away into the Magical Land by Wicked Witch Gingema. She experiences many adventures trying to go back home to her family.

Justelis is a young, good-looking, friendly IT professional who, after drinking too much alcohol at the company Christmas party, accidentally spills his heart to one of his best friends and reveals his deepest secret - he's still a virgin.

In Lithuania, two investigative journalists work segregated from others in an isolated office as if in a cabinet. This cabinet is the only location in the film. It seems that they are in the cabinet, like they are closed, separated from others, even from the other journalists. It’s a slow and minimalistic film. It’s not a film about one specific journalistic research; this film presents a monotonous and nervous atmosphere in this cabinet. The boundaries between truth and falsehood begin to overlap, journalists experience the betrayal of a colleague, the office becomes sweltering and unpleasant.

"When the Lights Go Down" is a fantasy movie based on a personal experience of the film director. The film tells a story about a teen boy who is being bullied in school. A boy named Mantas creates his own guardian demon, who protects him from the bullies. Although it is not letting the boy to live a normal life. Film's timeline portrays one day at school, when the classmates of Mantas assault and beat up him badly. And here it comes, the guardian demon ready to revenge.

In a private farm, a butterfly is born only to be sold as a prop for a concert. Its journey to the music hall reflects the struggle to survive in the modern-day civilization.

"Super,"" ""the best movie in the world,"" ""When can we download it?""—these were some of the reactions to Tadas Vidmantas' controversial debut film Gautas iškvietimas. Now, less than a year later, the trilogy concludes with Gautas iškvietimas 3. Following their unexpected success, the 7th Police Precinct faces a rare challenge—spending large sums of money. Their motto shifts from ""Protect, Serve, Help"" to ""Buy, Spend, Waste,"" but they soon realize that money can't buy happiness… though that won’t stop them from trying. Chaos follows them everywhere—dangerous calls, absurd situations, and endless trouble. Do riches change people? Which officer is expecting a baby? And will all beloved characters make it to the end? All this and more in the wildest, most star-studded Lithuanian police comedy yet—Gautas iškvietimas 3!

A story about the first childish sin: the first attempt to defeat the enemy, to walk a forbidden road and to revenge.

In Almaty, Kazakhstan, 17-year-old Mila escapes her unstable home life by joining an elite swimming team led by Vlad. Amid intense training and suspicions of doping, Mila faces a complex attraction to Vlad, while traumatic memories and moral dilemmas threaten to undermine her new-found independence.

Three Students from Lithuania are dreaming of escaping to the US. When they are trying to fulfill their dreams they quickly get involved in a crime.

The first feature of Lithuanian Valdas Navasaitis is a drama which unravels the hopeless 1970s, when people were deprived of their roots and forced to sit and watch their lives slip from their fingers. In a decrepit house that once belonged to a bourgeois family, several families seek shelter. Senis, a 65-year-old alcoholic, lives on the ground floor with his wife and their 16-year-old daughter. Senis is a survivor of the Nazis as well as the communist camps. He drowns the pain of his memories in a nearby pub and in talking to a depressed young laborer, Lorenca. Later on, a young couple and a lonely eccentric who enjoys only his cat's company join the inhabitants. Children wile away the time with useless games or spying on adults. When Lorenca hangs himself at the ruins of a nearby factory, the lives are shaken up. During the dinner held for the deceased, they find a moment of common hope.

Domingo Domingo, a witty Valencian orange farmer, tries to stand up to the multinational companies that oppress the humble workers of the land.

Post Soviet life in Lithuania, the contemporary situation of a lonely man's soul.