Change Your Image
BriedisLT
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
9-tas Zingsnis (2022)
A Breath of Fresh Air in Lithuanian Cinema
"9-tas zingsnis" (9th Step) marks a refreshing breath of fresh air for Lithuanian cinema, especially when contrasted with most other Lithuanian films. While other Lithuanian movies often suffer from slow pace and prolonged dwelling scenes, "9th Step" stands out as an exception. The film adeptly tackles the challenging subject of alcoholism, maintaining an engaging pace throughout. Even during prolonged scenes, the presence of music and other sounds keeps the narrative moving smoothly.
Cinematographically, the film offers a pleasing visual experience, albeit with occasional moments of camera wobbling that slightly detract from the overall quality. Subtle artificial blurring effects add depth to the characters' thought processes, drawing viewers deeper into their world.
The film's treatment of the critical issue of alcoholism is commendable. It effectively conveys its message without resorting to heavy-handedness, allowing viewers to reflect on the topic in a thought-provoking manner.
Despite the presence of non-Lithuanian words in the dialogues, they feel natural and unforced, a testament to the scriptwriting and delivery. The acting, while generally competent, exhibits minor flaws in a few instances.
However, the film's main shortcoming lies in its character development. The mother's appearance is fleeting, and the yoga instructor girlfriend Diana's abrupt departure lacks a convincing reason or explanation. These underdeveloped characters leave a gap in the narrative.
In conclusion, "9-tas zingsnis" (9th Step) is a serious and enjoyable addition to Lithuanian cinema that maintains a balanced pace. While it grapples with minor imperfections, it manages to deliver its important message about dealing with alcoholism effectively, making it a valuable contribution to Lithuanian cinema.
Slow (2023)
A perfect example of Lithuanian slow cinema syndrome
Approaching "Slow" or "Tu man nieko neprimeni" as a Lithuanian, I had hoped for a step forward in our film industry. Regrettably, this film succumbs to the same issues that often plague Lithuanian cinema: protracted scenes that contribute little to the narrative and an overemphasis on mundane everyday life moments. This film could have easily shed a significant portion of its runtime and still conveyed its intended message effectively.
While the film's underlying theme of asexuality held promise, it often deviates off course with superfluous dance sequences, peculiar moments like the main character Dovydas eating a sandwich or a McDonald's burger for no apparent reason, and awkward English interjections in Lithuanian dialogue. These numerous diversions detract from the film's primary theme and overall potential.
Admittedly, there were some commendable moments, such as the endearing portrayal of the two main characters engaging in the seemingly mundane task of hanging laundry. For me, this touching scene stands out amid the film's shortcomings. Nonetheless, these fleeting highlights fail to outweigh the movie's overall drawbacks.
I remain hopeful that Lithuanian cinema will rise above its stagnation and embrace more concise and impactful storytelling. However, "Slow" is a disappointing step in the wrong direction.