The River

Colour, BETA SP
Lithuania, 2009, 30 min
Section: Documentary Films in Competition

Synopsis

Documentary filmmakers Julija Gruodienė and Rimantas Gruodis introduce us to a remote village somewhere in Lithuania separated from the surrounding world by a river. The local folk are thus forced every day to ferry their way to the opposite bank and then trudge the long journey to the nearest town. This mostly affects school-aged kids, however; local unemployed men need only make the trip once a week to stock up on vodka. Via eloquent, visually striking footage and the villagers’ humorous commentary, the directors acquaint us with a local way of life whose rhythm is set by a river.

About the director

Julija Gruodienė worked for Lithuanian Film Studios in 1984–1994 as a screenwriter and editor. She performed the same work for Lithuanian Television in 1994–2002. Rimantas Gruodis worked for Lithuanian Film Studios as assistant camera, assistant director, editor, and news and documentary director. Since 1991 he has cooperated independently on movies that have won numerous awards.