22-10-2008

The Balcony opens theatrically across Lithuania

By Aukse Kancereviciute

    Film and theatre director Giedre Beinoriute's new film The Balcony (http://balkonas.wordpress.com) opened in the four biggest Lithuanian cities: Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda, and Siauliai.

    Initial screenings drew 3189 viewers.

    The 48 minutes film focuses on Soviet atmosphere in the 1980's in a small provincial Lithuanian town. Young Rolanas (whose parents have just divorced) and his father move into the neighbourhood of an eleven year old Emilija. The two kids strike up a friendship conversing from their balconies, finding common interests and encouragement to go on a "real" date. As the film's promo material puts it, "Falling out of a balcony and scratching a chin or swallowing a fishbone doesn't hurt, but it hurts to love." says announcement of The Balcony.

    Beinoriute was awarded with Best Debut prize of the Union of Lithuanian Filmmakers and Lithuanian Ministry of Culture with film Vulkanovka as well as with documentary Grandpa and a Grandma at EuroFest 2008 (Canada), also at Film Festivals in Ukraine and Belarus. 2005 short feature Existens was nominated for the best short feature in Les Lutins (Paris, France) film festival.

    The Balcony is produced by Jurga Gluskiniene (Film Studio Monoklis, http://www.monoklis.lt) and supported by the Lithuanian Ministry of Culture, Culture Support foundation of Lithuanian Republic.