08-03-2010

Film will challenge new Lithuanian law

By Auksė Kancerevičiūtė
    A 19-year old Lithuanian filmmaker is ready to challenge Lithuania's new Protection of Minors law with plans to make a gay-themed short film.

    Romas Zabarauskas plans to make Porno Melodrama, the country's first gay film, this summer with a Lithuanian cast and an international crew. They include German and Lithuanian producers Barbara Politsch and Ksenija Kozenkova, Finish cinematographer Ville Piippo, Lithuanian actors Kurtis, Marius Repsys and Vilma Kutaviciute.

    Zabarauskas is finding support internationally. Stephan Cooper from Amnesty International said "Lithuania is one of the countries where homophobic laws still exist." The new law went into effect March 1. The director of Berlinale's "Panorama" section Wieland Speck invited Romas Zabarauskas to return to the festival with his film.

    Film authors are looking for the financial support to get this project off the ground and have established a Paypal account for funding.