The role of Adolfo Ramanausko-Vanago for Kęstutis Cicėnas came unexpectedly and required decisive decisions: it was necessary to reschedule work, postpone the theater premiere, give up other projects, and find solutions in situations where there seemed to be none. The actor decided to take a risk and accepted one of the most important professional challenges in his career.
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The film director Emilis Vėlyvis says that the choice of the lead actor was determined not only by a successful actor selection.
“Kęstutis performed very well during the casting. He is a talented and strong actor. I felt that he was suitable for this role, and his preparation did not disappoint either me or the casting director. I believe he will create an excellent role,” says the director.
According to him, Kęstutis Cicėnas came to the filming thoroughly prepared: he delved into historical material, read, gathered information about Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas, his life before the partisan fight, and the circumstances that determined the fateful decision.
“Vanagas is not primarily a soldier. He is a civilian, a teacher, who one day put down his fountain pen on the table and went out to fight the stribai and the occupation system. He is an idealist, intellectual, psychologically strong and prepared person, who gave a large part of his life and ultimately his life for the Homeland. Such people attract and inspire others,” says E. Vėlyvis.
From a historical hero to a living person
Kęstutis Cicėnas is open: before he started preparing for the role of Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas, he knew little.
“I knew that Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas is one of the most famous Lithuanian partisan heroes. To be honest – that’s about it,” admits the actor.
However, after starting to delve into Vanagas’s life, the testimonies of his comrades, and the history of the partisan resistance, his perspective changed. Beyond the historical facts, the actor saw young people – with their dreams, fears, love, and hope.
“I was surprised by how human and close their stories are. Not the partisans’ experiences themselves – those are hard for us to comprehend – but their inner world and feelings. These were young men and women who had the same drive, fears, and dreams as we do,” says K. Cicėnas.
Vanagas’s story became more than material for the role for the actor. He was especially impressed by the human choice: to adapt to the occupation or consciously take what is in his power to change the situation.
“I think that today, seeing what is happening in the world, we often have to make similar decisions within ourselves. Therefore, Vanagas is now an example to me of a conscious, free, and strong person,” says the actor.
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A film about the price of decision
“Catch Vanagas” is a heroic historical epic inspired by a true story about the uncompromising Lithuanian fight for freedom and the people who stood against a vastly more powerful enemy, even though they knew they could be betrayed, arrested, or killed.
The film centers on Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas and his decision not to obey the occupation system. The creators aim to show not only the scale of the historical fight but also personal choices, relationships, inner doubts, and idealism that allowed them not to give up even when victory seemed almost impossible.
“My death will become the seed for the tree of Lithuania’s freedom,” says the main hero Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas in the film.
The film’s goal is to reveal what motivated young Lithuanian men and women to choose the fight for the Homeland’s freedom and to convey the dramatic period in which personal destinies became part of the entire nation’s history.
Unprecedented support from Lithuanian business and society
The majority of the budget for the film “Catch Vanagas” was raised through the efforts of Lithuanian business and society. The Lithuanian Film Center allocated 400 thousand euros for the film production – a little more than a tenth of the entire project budget. The rest was donated by Lithuanian business companies, patrons, and private individuals.
According to the film creators, such a scale of unity is an unprecedented gesture of civic solidarity in Lithuanian film history. The film is being made by people, companies, and organizations who find it important to preserve historical memory and tell the story of Lithuania’s freedom fighters to future generations.
Patrons who contributed to the film include UAB “YIT Lietuva,” “Maxima,” “Citus,” “Mantinga,” “Skuba,” “Kauno grūdai,” “Hoptrans,” AB “Volfas Engelman,” LRT, AS “Go3 Baltics,” “NT Service,” and “BROLIS.”
The film is also supported by Gediminas Kvietkauskas and hundreds of people across Lithuania.
Actors and creative team
Alongside Kęstutis Cicėnas, the film features Liubomiras Laucevičius, Džiugas Grinys, Andrius Žiurauskas, Giedrius Kiela, Vitalija Mockevičiūtė, Ramūnas Rudokas, Lukas Malinauskas, Darius Gumauskas, Eglė Mikulionytė, Ainis Storpirštis, Neringa Varnelytė, Aldona Vilutytė, Gabija Jaraminaitė, Barbora Bareikytė, Agnė Grudytė, and other Lithuanian actors.
The film is produced by VšĮ “Pilietinė medija.” Film producers are Edmundas Jakilaitis, Mantvidas Žalėnas, Daiva Varnaitė-Jovaišienė, and Asta Liukaitytė.
The film’s cinematographer is Feliksas Abrukauskas (LAC), art directors are Ramūnas Rastauskas and Raimondas Dičius, costume designer Daiva Petrulytė, makeup artist Jurgita Globytė.
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