More than 160 films and only a little over two weeks to watch them – such a large anniversary program was presented by the renewed "Cinema spring". European Film Award winners, Oscar nominees, international festival favorites, the most memorable films from previous "Kino pavasarai" - there will definitely be something to see from March 7-23. The festival team shares its favorites and reminds you that tickets are already available for purchase today, and a special price is valid for two days.
Vermiljas, dir. Maura Delpero
Recommended by festival founder Vida Ramaškienė
"A classic film that sensitively tells the story of one Italian family will definitely not leave anyone indifferent. The trials of the ending war and other painful events of fate become even more impressive against the backdrop of the exceptional beauty of the mountains and delicate music."
Armand, director Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel
Recommended by director Algirdas Ramaška
"A film about us, adults, about our complex view of children and about the truth that gets lost somewhere between our egos, grievances and manipulations. For this debut, the director won the prestigious "Camera d'Or" award at Cannes, and the main actress Renate Reinsve is well known to the audience from the film "The Worst Man in the World", for which she was awarded Best Actress at Cannes."
The Peacock, directed by Bernhard Wenger
Recommended by Executive Director Konradas Kazlauskas
"This is a tragicomedy about Matija, who can become anything but cannot be himself. The guy works at the agency "My Companion" and provides "hired friend" services. He can be rented for real-life situations, for example, when you need an exemplary father, a dutiful son, or a business partner. The film was inspired by the real-life friend rental services that exist in Japan."
In April, directed by Dea Kulumbegashvili
Recommended by Finance Manager Odeta Morkūnienė
"Nina secretly performs abortions on women. In Georgia, they are not banned, but the patriarchal and highly religious society stigmatizes a woman's choices, and the abortion procedure is considered extremely shameful. "April" is dark, slow, visual, and as encompassing as that shame, but we cannot remain silent and not think about a woman's reproductive rights and health."
The Bird, directed by Andrea Arnold
Recommended by festival coordinators Beautiful Catherine and Kestutis Lingiai
"A social drama for fans of magical realism – and with a contemporary British vibe. Burial's intricate soundtrack follows a teenage girl through a phantasmagorical, not always fair world of adults. It's a multi-layered film about maturity and transformation – both literally and figuratively – that uses elements that break away from the canons of cinema."
Escape, directed by Nora Fingscheidt
Recommended by Daiva Visockytė, Head of Communications and Marketing
"A young blue-haired girl, Rona, returns from London to the Scottish island where she grew up to recover from her alcohol addiction. The nature of the island does not seem hospitable and loving, and only a small house stands against the wind, where Rona tries to survive her addiction and live with the boredom of sobriety. The film gives us the opportunity to observe from uncomfortably close up how and what a person accustomed to the city and stimulation does, left alone with their own existence."
The Stars Prophesy, directed by Peter Kerekes
Recommended by the program compiler and program department coordinator Benita Paplauskaitė
"I recommend the film to Cancers, but not to Virgos. I'm kidding, of course. Until now, skeptical of astrology, Slovak director Peter Kerekes postponed this project for three years. In the end, it took just one dinner with Luciana to change his mind. "The Stars Prophesy" explores how journeys - both internal and external - can trigger personal transformations."
Universal Language, by Matthew Rankin
Recommended by the program's compiler, Karolis Žukas
"The film 'The Universal Language' transcends the boundaries that separate us and connects different cultures, reminding us that even when words fail, the human spirit finds a way to connect. Director Matthew Rankin, using a unique visual style and distinctive humor, has created a hopeful film that resonates deeply in our increasingly divided world. This comedy celebrates the beauty of human connection and is for anyone who believes in the power of empathy."
Queer, directed by Luca Guadagnino
Recommended by the program's compiler Vladas Rožėnas
"If you love David Lynch, come to the most Lynchian film of the year, accompanied by a philosophy typical of an American - dreams and visions invade material reality, and ultimately all of life is a mysticism for the characters. The film chooses to take the most uncomfortable path - through a growing mystery that does not reveal, but only further entangles the answers. But isn't that what we look for in cinema? Sometimes what you need is not a solid foundation, but the ability to survive without it."
This is how we imagine light, directed by Payal Kapadia
Recommended by the program's compiler Margot Amadei
"Winner of the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival and named best film of the year by The New York Times and Sight and Sound, This Is How We Imagine Light is another drop in the ocean. It is a stunning story about the intersections of people's lives, mutual support and comfort, sometimes right here, sometimes far away. On the streets and in their homes in Mumbai, we will follow three women working in the same hospital - each of them will carry their own pain, but all three will find strength in each other."
