“The Writer is a truly exciting and fresh project for me in so many ways. It’s my first English-language project, a SAG (Screen Actors Guild) production, and the first time I shoot the majority of the film in a studio. All the production elements have ultimately helped us focus on the concept of the film: exploring the influence of political circumstances on our personal lives, via the art of dialogue. Solely featuring two characters, we delve into in-depth conversations about life, politics and culture, all while aiming at a unique, elegant visual style”, Romas Zabarauskas told FNE.
The Writer is an intimate story of two 60-year-old queer men reconnecting after 30 years. Kostas and Dima met serving in the Soviet army in the 80s, and Dima joined Kostas in moving from Russia to Lithuania. But after Lithuania gained Independence in the 90s, Kostas left to study in New York, leaving Dima behind. Kostas, now an author, has published a book based on a fictionalised story of their separation. Upon reading it, Dima pays a visit, eager to correct a few facts.
The main cast includes Bruce Ross (as Kostas) and Jamie Day (as Dima).
The film is produced by Romas Zabarauskas’ Naratyvas (Lithuania), Glenn Elliotts’ Artysta Management (Germany) and Aidan Tumas’ USA Dead Heat Pictures (USA). In 2022, Artysta came on board as an investor in the production. Additionally, the producers are currently in the process of using the Lithuanian Film Tax Incentive for the studio shooting in Vilnius.
The Writer also received a development grant from the Association LATGA in 2022. Recently, the film has been pre-sold to the Lithuanian national broadcaster LRT.
The total budget is approximately 350, 000 EUR.
The Writer was shot earlier in 2023 in New York (exteriors) and Vilnius (studio), and it will premiere by the beginning of 2024.
Romas Zabarauskas is known for We Will Riot (2013), You Can't Escape Lithuania (2016), and The Lawyer (2020), all of them produced by his Lithuanian outfit Naratyvas.
Production Information:
Producers:
Naratyvas (Lithuania)
Romas Zabarauskas: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Artysta Management (Germany)
Dead Heat Pictures (USA)
Credits:
Director: Romas Zabarauskas
Screenwriters: Romas Zabarauskas, Marc David Jacobs, Anastasia Sosonuva, Artūras Tereškinas
DoP: Narvydas Naujalis
Composer: Ieva Marija Baranauskaitė
Cast: Bruce Ross, Jamie Day
