The Slow Journey FROM BERLINALE TO SUNDANCE

Gabija Pluke speaks to director Marija Kavtaradzė about her film Slow that started its successful journey from the Berlinale Co-Production Market.

In 2021 the movie Slow was the first Lithuanian film to ever be selected for the Berlinale Co-Production Market. Now, the film has spread its wings and made its way to the Sundance Film Festival, the director Marija Kavtaradzė’s personal dream-come-true. The creator behind the film, echoing modern young adult problems, talks more about her new movie Slow.

Marija, can you tell us a bit more about your background?

I was born and raised in Lithuania, stud- ied at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, the film directing course. I’ve always been passionate about writing and going to the movies, so making films was my dream ever since I was a teenager. I made my first feature film Summer Survivors in 2018.

Slow was the first Lithuanian film to participate in the Berlinale Co-Production Market. How did this experience alter the movie’s journey?

We met a lot of people who were interested in our film, it was a really inspiring experience. The Co-Production Market helped us to find partners for the film. It was very useful.

Your previous film Summer Survivors is full of social and personal topics relevant to modern young adults. Why make films concerning such topics? I make films about topics that interest me, make me think and look for answers. I think it’s natural that it’s relevant to others as well. I like to joke that it’s good that I am not that original. In this way topics that interest me also touch many other people as well.

Your newest film Slow talks about different, yet still relevant modern topics. Could you tell us more about the film? I would say that Slow is very different in terms of topic and even style from my last film, but of course there are some similarities, I am still the same person.

Slow follows a relationship story of two 30 year olds – dancer Elena (played by Greta Grineviciute) and sign language interpreter Dovydas (played by Kestutis Cicenas). It is a love story, where characters are building their own kind of intimacy and trying not to be led by expectations of what love or relationships should look like.

Elena, the main character in the movie, is played by Greta Grinevičiūtė, a professional contemporary dancer. What made you choose her to play the lead role?

Greta is a very talented dancer, choreographer and actress. I saw her in one play some years ago, and I couldn’t stop thinking about her from way back then. Since I knew my character is a dancer, I invited Greta to meet and talk about the film, read a few scenes; I was sure that I wanted to work with her right away.

Slow participated in the When East Meets West programme in Trieste, Berlinale Co-Production Market, and its latest stop – the Sundance Film Festival. What does this achievement mean to you personally?

All these stops on our way to make a film were important and inspiring. I am really lucky that we were selected for these programs, since they brought me interesting people, ideas, and notes about the film I was making.

The Sundance Film Festival was a dream come true for me. Being from a small country it’s so special to be recognised! And going to Sundance was a dream I had from a young age. I am proud that we can share the hard work and talents of our team and brilliant cast with wider audiences. BF