The IFC center hall filled with New Yorkers gave ovations after the film and asked the director many questions. Next week, Lithuania’s Oscar nominee will begin its journey in Los Angeles, and from September 18th also in Lithuania.
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“Getting into US cinemas is a significant event for Lithuanian cinema. We are glad that after winning Sundance, US film distributors appreciated both the film’s appeal to audiences and the important theme that touches people worldwide. Screenings in New York, Los Angeles are also an important step towards an Oscar nomination. Of course, we most look forward to meeting the most important audience, our viewers,” says Marija Razgutė, producer at M FILMS.
The film was noticed by influential media outlets
Before the premiere in US cinemas, the love drama “Divorce During the War” received special attention from major US media outlets – film reviews appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Indiewire, and other publications.
The Wall Street Journal review described the film as a mix of dark humor and drama. According to the article’s author Zachary Barnes, the main characters face not only their relationship problems but also the question of how to behave in a world that suddenly becomes very unsafe. Although the situation is very serious, director A. Blaževičius approaches it with irony.
The New York Times notes that the director uncomfortably and accurately performs a family study, subtly observing the couple’s reactions to circumstances that test their relationship.
The Indiewire review notes that in the film “Divorce During the War,” the director turns a marriage crisis into an awkwardly funny mutual war drama. “The characters want to behave well and rightly. They prioritize their careers and personal relationships over global challenges,” the Indiewire publication states.
Audience impressions: graceful, relevant, compelling acting
After the love drama premiere in New York, the first viewers shared their impressions. Many noted that the film is relevant in a global context, showing family relationships and everyday situations that are very recognizable, also highlighting compelling acting and ironic and accurate humor.
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“A wonderful, gracefully made film that touches on many topics. The director overturns gender roles, masterfully shows performative activism, and raises the question of how much a person is willing to sacrifice for their declared political and moral beliefs,” shared well-known photographer Driely Schwartz-Carter after the New York premiere.
The emotionally charged love drama tells the story of Maria – an ambitious head of a large advertising agency department – and Vytas – a self-searching film director – who decide to divorce. It seems their marriage lacks nothing, but Maria feels unhappy and decides to confess that she wants a divorce. She chooses the worst possible time for an open conversation. The film stars the country’s most prominent contemporary actors Marius Repšys (“The Saint,” “Chinese Sea,” “Train Robbery by Saulius and Paulius”) and Žygimantė Elena Jakštaitė (“Runner,” “Renovation”).
“Divorce During the War” is A. Blaževičius’s third film. The director’s previous two works “The Saint” and “Runner” together won eight Silver Cranes.
The production of the film “Divorce During the War” in Lithuania was financed by the Lithuanian Film Centre, Vilnius Film Fund, LRT; the film was made in co-production with Luxembourg, Ireland, and the Czech Republic.
About M FILMS
Founded in 2008 and currently one of the most active film production companies, M FILMS produces feature films successfully presented at major international film festivals and awarded Silver Cranes.
The company produces films by the younger generation of Lithuanian directors – Karolis Kaupinis (“Nova Lituania,” “The Wanderers’ House”), Marija Kavtaradze (“Survive the Summer,” “You Don’t Remind Me of Anything”), Andrius Blaževičius (“The Saint,” “Runner,” “Divorce During the War”), Vytautas Katkus (“Berries,” “Guest”) – and also works very actively on international co-production projects.
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