You Can't Escape Lithuania (2016) - full transcript
After his star actress, Indre, murders her mother, rich-kid filmmaker Romas plans her escape from Lithuania. His Mexican boyfriend Carlos helps them reluctantly. On the road, Romas begins shooting an improvised experimental film. As events take an unexpected turn, their secrets, memories and emotions make this journey wilder than any film Romas could have imagined.
The Big O
Dearest, we're back to
review today's press.
And we see some
hot photos:
it's a naked, gay,
Romas Zabarauskas!
It's written that on Friday, the filmmaker
successfully funded his new film.
He promised to send his naked pic
to those who donated.
Many wanted to see it
and he collected $20,000!
Though Romas's films aren't commercially
successful, as DELFLIt reports.
He could now easily
change his line of work....
Bitch.
Indré!
Romas!
Oh my God.
Sorry, I'm coming here
so unexpectedly.
I'm sorry.
No problem.
I didn't give any notice.
No, no. I just can't believe it.
Well, come in.
My goodness, I have so many
questions for you.
Do you want tea?
Yes, please.
Thank you.
The red one is really good.
I bought it in London.
Try it out.
I want chamomile.
Chamomile is good too.
Can you buy it in Moscow?
It's very Lithuanian.
I don't know. I don't drink it there.
It is somewhat Lithuanian, isn't it?
It isn't really Lithuanian.
So how are you?
Good.
Very well.
How was your premiere?
Russian Pudding?
Good. It went really well.
He's a good director.
Awesome.
Mhm.
How are you doing?
Good, everything is really well.
We showed We Will Riot
here and there.
But we didn't make a profit.
I know I still owe you.
Oh, you think that's why I came?
I don't know.
C'mon, I understand.
How is your love life?
Very good.
I showed the film in Mexico
and found a boyfriend.
Really?
Yes.
Mexico, but it's so far away?
Yeah, but he's here.
Where?
Here. You want me to call him?
He's sleeping.
Oh, here?
No, don't call him now.
What is it?
What happened, Indré?
I went....
I went....
No.
No.
I was noticed by the famous
acting coach.
Gina Caplan.
She works with a lot of
stars in Hollywood.
She had a master class in
Moscow a month ago.
She noticed me from a
thousand participants.
I volunteered for an improvisation
and she noticed me.
Afterwards she proposed
I take her courses.
And I agreed.
I decided to
quit everything and go.
But I need money.
The courses cost $20,000,
let alone living costs.
I came to Lithuania
to get my money.
She owes me.
When my parents divorced...
...my father left me half of the
House she's living in now.
It's clear.
But my mom...
She never gave me anything.
She said, "If you want,
come and live here."
But mom...
I don't even live in Lithuania.
But maybe she doesn't
have any money?
She does.
She married a successful
businessman.
She's just using me to get
revenge on my father.
She wants his attention.
It's unfair!
So, she promised me money.
She promised to cover
my LA expenses.
We made a deal.
She said, "Come. We'll go to
the bank and fix everything."
I came from Moscow.
And it's same bullshit again.
She will only give me half and
I'm supposed to ask my father for the rest.
It's unfair.
She has to give me my share.
My father dealt with her
a long time ago.
He even told me to take
her to court.
But how did you?
I took the keys from
the safe.
The safe is under this ugly
Sarfinas Sauka painting.
I took it down.
I opened the safe.
And then she got in my way.
I pushed her to
the side of the safe.
It was an accident.
I really, really didn't intend to.
Then she started screaming.
And I hate her yelling.
And I pushed her again.
I pushed her two,
three times total.
Romas, I think I did
something wrong.
Nijolé Grubiené, the mother of the
famous actress Indré Latinyté…,
…was found dead in her home.
The police suspect homicide.
The police have not
named suspects.
The body of Nijolé Grubiené
was found in her home.
Police officers are
at the scene.
Anyone with relevant information
should contact us as soon as possible.
Who?
Police officer Nerijus Dambrauskas
briefed us at the scene.
I don't know.
Nijolé Grubiené was married to a…
Give me the phone.
…businessman, Audrius Grubys.
Her daughter, Indré Latinyté
works and Rives in Moscow.
And what if?
It will be fine.
But if they?
Really.
Answer it.
Who?
Hello?
Hey Romas, it's Diana,
sorry to disturb.
Did you hear the news?
What news?
The mother of your actress
friend was found dead.
Of who?
Indré Latinyté.
Did you know her mother?
No, I didn't.
Really? I'm at the scene now.
Her stepfather and
the police are here.
It's a terrible event.
I'm just thinking of who
might know something.
I don't know what to say.
But maybe you know someone
who might have some information?
No, I don't.
Well then.
You can write that I think
she has nothing to do with it.
That's what I think.
Thanks.
Who was it?
A DELFI journalist.
I'm screwed.
You can't go to
the airport.
Did you steal it?
I didn't steal it. I took it.
YOU CAN'T ESCAPE LITHUANIA
Subtitle by Misterhutch
We'll take a small road and
cross the border to Poland.
Or no, there aren't borders
Now we're one European Union.
Then Germany.
We'll pass France, Spain,
And finally get to Portugal.
In Portugal, we'll rent you a place
somewhere in the mountains.
No questions asked.
When things calm down,
we'll come visit you.
Stay here.
Do you want anything?
Give me the tablet.
Here.
Did you get any water?
Get down.
You had to tell me,
but yes, I did.
Where is Carlos?
He went to smoke.
We don't smoke.
- Don't be stupid.
- No stupid.
- Come with me!
- No.
What the fuck?
I don't understand nothing!
What?
You don't translate
me nothing.
Baby, I'm sorry.
Look, your friend kill mother.
No need help.
Well, it's not that simple.
My friend mother no good.
They fight, mother dies.
But she's my friend and
I have to help her.
Can we go now?
If you go with me,
you can fuck me tonight.
They suspect me.
The police named me
as a suspect.
What?
Eight years to life.
This punishment would await actress
Indré Latinyté if convicted.
Wait a sec.
A life sentence?
Why?
Because she's your mother.
What's the difference?
There is a difference.
But why?
Why?
Indré Latinyté is the main
suspect in her mother's murder.
Police are asking anyone
who has seen the actress...,
...or who has related information
to contact them without delay.
Gay filmmaker, Romas Zabarauskas's
exclusive interview on DELFI.
"I don't think she
could have done this."
Look, maybe we can stop.
I'm sick.
Subtitle by Misterhutch
Carlos!
Carlos!
Carlos, help Indré.
- No.
- Give me.
No, no. I don't want to.
Give me.
No.
What are you doing?
Stop!
Stop it!
Damn it.
Why?
Mhm?
I'm filming our last film.
Every story has a beginning,
a middle, and an end.
Every story is
a metaphor of life.
We tell stories
all the time.
This is how we, people, communicate
and relate to each other.
Throughout history,
people have told stories.
In fact, history itself is
a collection of stories.
There are many theories
on why people like stories so much.
Psychoanalytical theory, based
on Sigmund Freud, states...
…that our narrative desire is motivated by
both our sex and death drives.
Our sex drive, Eras…,
…makes us create…,
t…o have sex, to have children…,
…to have an impact on
our society or humanity…,
…to leave stories behind,
to produce meaning.
Our death drive, Thanatos...,
...is our secret wish to dissolve into
nothingness that we once were.
This drive makes us want to
experience the end of the story.
But the story has to have
enough shifts and repetitions
so we could believe that end.
To conclude, we want
same sexual texture...,
...and then death...,
dissolution into nothingness.
This is what we want
from our lives...,
...and this is what we want
from our stories as well.
Mom.
Hello.
Hi.
Hi.
How are you?
Good.
Are you driving?
I can call you later.
No, no need.
Are you going somewhere?
I'm....
We're going to the
seaside with Carlos.
Oh, really? You didn't
say anything.
We only thought of
it this morning.
Oh, OK. I read about Indré.
Yes.
You know about it?
Yes.
It's horrible.
Horrible.
And you are OK?
Yes.
Romas, are you really OK?
I'm just very shocked.
It's very strange and sad.
I understand.
Okay, Mom. We'll talk later, okay?
Okay, okay.
I have to go, bye.
Bye-bye.
What did she say?
Nothing.
Was she suspicious?
No, don't worry.
And she knows about
Carlos and all?
What do you mean?
Well that you're together?
Yes, my mom is very
progressive.
And your dad?
My dad is very religious, they divorced
and I'm not in touch with him.
Sorry to keep asking.
No, it's OK.
My mom and her parents
support me a lot.
I just think sometimes
that I don't feel enough.
I don't feel enough for myself,
my family, friends, Carlos.
Should we speak in English?
No need.
It's not nice, no?
I said, no need.
Well but you're working with films,
working with feelings.
But you don't like my films!
I don't like how
I act in them.
Well here, I'll tell you a story.
A few months ago,
I was at our class reunion.
Everyone was talking about their news jobs,
being married, not married, etc.
Our teacher, who organized
everything,
showed us our theater plays
from different years.
She had recorded everything
with a cheap camera.
And I had a main role in all of them.
Watching it, I realized
I'm not a good actor.
I was even a really
bad actor.
You were a child.
No, wait a sec.
I was thinking, again and again,
and decided to invite her to dinner.
We went to a restaurant.
And I asked her why she let me act
and why she gave me the main roles.
At first she just laughed.
But at the end she admitted that it
was her way of thanking my parents...
...for supporting the theater
financially.
You're exaggerating.
I'm not.
My parents were always
defending me...,
...and I felt like I never
achieved anything on my own.
But you achieved a lot.
Yes, but only with the
help of my parents.
What are you doing?
Romas!
Wait!
Wait!
It's beautiful here.
Another theory claims...
...that we wan': one thing from our
heroes because of our common sense...,
...and another thing out
of our narrative desire.
For example, in a film, Titanic...,
...our common sense tells us...
...the best ending would be everyone
staying alive and in love forever.
But at the same time, we also want
something tragic to happen to our heroes...,
...because we know it would
make a better story.
It is precisely this clash of
conflicting desires that entertains us.
Put the phone away.
I'm making a film.
Your film is boring.
Give it to me!
Give it!
Carlos, come here.
Question for you.
Are you legal here?
Here, in Lithuania, understand?
What are you doing?
It's interesting!
No it's not.
Visa till July.
What, what? Say me again?
Visa till July.
Oh, I see.
And then what?
Everything is over?
Why are you filming?
I'm doing the film. Let's do it!
So....
Your love story will end?
Then I will go to Mexico.
Wow!
And then that's it,
bye-bye Carlos?
Well I'll go to Mexico.
Or I'll get Carlos
an artist's visa.
Or, he'll stay here illegally.
Give it back.
A film needs some drama! Drama!
We're making the film, aren't we?
Yeah?
Then tell me why you
killed your mother.
Stupid.
You think it was for money?
No, not for money.
You don't have any tact.
You killed her for something else.
Wanna know why?
Well, tell me.
Tell me why, you piece of shit.
Your grandpa is a famous
writer, a well-known genius.
He wrote a few bestsellers.
Won awards, met our President.
Your dad is also
a genius writer...,
...a journalist.
So what?
They are the best of us.
They are the voices of their generations
and you always wanted to be like them.
And what, is that bad?
Well, no.
But see, they are men
and you are a woman.
And you hate this.
And you're a queer.
In Lithuanian society, only
men are considered geniuses.
Men create. Women procreate.
You hated all this. That's why
you hated your mother.
Your mother was
avery simple woman.
She didn't know anything
about art.
She only cared about you,
loved you and irritated you.
And you were afraid to become
like her--a stereotypical woman.
Shut up.
You were convinced that the femininity
you had from her prevented you...
...from reaching fame.
Look, now really, shut it.
You want to kill
your femininity.
You want to be a man.
Shut up!
It will hurt now.
Aaa! Ouch!
Take this.
But you really are crazy.
I am really very, very sorry.
(ranting in foreign language)
While discussing narrative from
a psychoanalytical perspective...,
it might be interesting
to observe...
...that psychoanalysis is itself an
exercise in narrative building.
The psychoanalyst hears the stories, dreams,
associations of his or her analysand...
...and then tries to incorporate them
into a single, coherent narrative.
It is this narrative, and the revealed
repetitions in ones behavior...,
...that help a patient to better
understand his or her life.
I like the old tunes
that no one listens to....
C'mon!
At night I listen to metal.
Guys!
When all the neighbors sleep....
I like to live this way.
Well, snob?
And to be independent.
To be my own boss.
And to love the way I want!
I like to live this way.
And to be independent.
To be my own boss.
And to love the way I want!
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Damn it.
Where are you going?
Toilet.
We have a spare tire, but it
won't get us to Portugal.
Indré, run.
What?
I said, run!
Hello.
Hello.
It's me.
It's you.
Carlos, I need to run,
police is here.
I go with you.
Thank you so much officer.
I couldn't have done it alone
No problem, really.
I was checking for
speeders nearby...,
...saw that you're in trouble and
thought I might be able to help.
Not much to do around here.
But you weren't alone?
Not alone?
I saw two people
running to woods.
Yes, it's true.
They were hitchhikers.
And they left you
alone like this?
They--
They'll cut through the woods.
People these days.
Let's stop.
I can't anymore.
Do you hate me?
I hate.
Look, I'm sorry.
It's OK.
How did you meet Romas?
Mexico.
Yes, but how?
He show film.
Did you like my acting?
Yes.
Thank you.
Can I ask you, Why are
you with Romas?
I don't understand.
OK, forget it.
So, what do you do in life?
Guess!
I don't know, really.
Guess!
Well...
Maybe you are a war veteran?
You wok so tough.
No, no war. Peace.
Something with tourism?
No.
Well, I really don't know.
I'm very bad at guessing.
I'm an escort.
Escort?
What do you mean by that?
Gay for pay.
Oh really?
Oh, I'm sorry. I guess
it's none of my business.
It's OK.
Do you mean that
Romas is paying you?
Yes.
How much?
Four thousand euros per month.
And how long have
you been together?
Four months.
That's a big amount of money.
I know!
You are this gay filmmaker,
Romas Zabarauskas!
Yes.
Oh man, awesome!
What?
Our boss, she's also,
you know, the same.
So she's always praising
what you're doing.
Unbelievable.
Well, then...
...I'll go back to
my speed checks.
Thank you so much, officer.
No problem, Romas.
Good luck.
Officer!
Your jacket.
Thank you, Romas.
No problem.
What is?
Nothing, just...
...money.
It's all about money.
You know I play in those TV
series and commercials in Russia.
And I get paid.
Get paid very well.
But I don't like what I do.
I'm selling out.
I'm acting in all
kinds of bullshit.
And when I participate
in interesting projects,
something I believe in,
I get never paid.
Romas, for example,
never paid me anything.
Shhh, all is OK.
I just think...,
...why am I doing this?
For fame?
For art?
I just feel that I'm an
escort myself, Carlos.
Your heart is right.
We got lost.
Really?
Yeah, can you imagine?
We were running,
and then we stopped...,
...looked around, and realized
we don't know where we are.
Did you look for us?
No, I was afraid I'd get lost.
And how did everything go?
He was looking for speeders.
He helped change the tire.
What are you doing?
We're going to my grandparents'
summerhouse for the night.
Subtitle by Misterhutch
It's beautiful.
But why is it so dusty?
No one has been here
in the last ten years.
Why not?
We stopped going here after
my parents divorced.
I told my mom
that I was gay.
She understood,
but my dad didn't.
He threw me out of the house.
My mom saved me.
She and my grandparents
brought me here.
They were bringing me food and
taking me to school every day.
Yes. Thrown out of my home.
He gave me a
thousand euros.
One thousand litas.
And told me to live on my own
and then see who I think I am.
My mom couldn't
kick me out.
When my dad discovered everything
she'd done to help me, he was furious.
They divorced and we've
never seen him since.
That's horrible.
Yet, I keep thinking.
What if I had taken that thousand
and tried to live on my own?
Maybe I wouldn't be so spoiled now?
But then there wouldn't be
those silly films.
There wouldn't be Carlos.
There wouldn't be Indré.
Bedrooms are upstairs.
Wait.
I want to tell you something.
I decided...
Decided to go home.
What?
I want to go to the police
and confess.
Why?
You were right.
All my life I wanted to be
like my dad or my grandpa.
I wanted to be a genius and
fought for it for a long time.
But you can't fight for it.
You either have it
or you don't.
And I don't.
I think you do.
Let's say I do.
You really do.
Let's say so. Let's say I do.
But then I made a mistake.
I was wrong, Romas.
Why?
Because I did something immoral.
You did what you did.
But do you want to spend
your last days in prison?
Don't you understand...
...that it's worse to live all my
life knowing I killed my mother?
It would be awful.
Even my own freedom
isn't worth it.
I couldn't.
I decided. I want to go to the
police and tell them everything.
My conscience will be cleared.
It doesn't fit the plot.
What plot?
The film that we're doing.
What film are you
talking about?
We'll talk tomorrow.
Wait a sec.
To hell with your film.
What film are you
talking about?
That bullshit we shot
with your phone?
That "bullshit" has a really good
plot and classical characters.
What characters?
We'll talk tomorrow morning.
No, Romas, we'll delete
everything.
Carlos told me that
you're paying him!
What?
Maybe you should pay me first
before filming your bullshit, OK?
I am a renowned filmmaker.
And you're too incompetent
to share your opinion at all!
Romas, you have no talent.
Wait.
Stop!
No, stop!
[Emergency number]
I'm sorry.
For what?
It's only acting.
I know you're tired.
But maybe let's film
that final killing scene?
Which scene?
The final one.
You're going to the police
after all.
So we need to film,
to finish the film.
OK.
So give me the knife.
Give me the phone.
ONE YEAR LATER
Hello!
I'm sorry.
Good evening, everyone.
I'm happy that our gallery is presenting
a new Lithuanian film today.
This premiere is part of the Vilnius Film Forum
and is expanding to new spaces.
I don't think I need to
introduce Romas Zabarauskas.
But I'm happy to present his work
in the contemporary art scene.
Let's just welcome
Romas Zabarauskas.
Romas, I haven't seen the film yet,
but I wanted to ask what inspired you?
What inspired.
I prepared a few things but
wasn't ready for questions.
Please, the stage is yours.
Thank you.
I'm very happy you came here.
We can be sure that in this
hall we are the new Lithuania.
A Lithuania without racism,
sexism, or homophobia!
Please applaud!
Thank you.
When I write my scripts, I dance.
I just dance.
I put on some music and dance
in my room with all my energy.
I dance until I forget my body and
stay with my thoughts, alone.
But this time I didn't
write a script.
I turned the camera on myself
and filmed myself dancing.
I'm not a professional dancer.
Is watching me dance
interesting enough?
You decide.
But at least one day
I can say that I danced.
I danced.
To dad
Some theories say that the traditional
film narrative, as we know it...,
is in fact a historical
practice...,
...feminists accuse this narrative
of reinforcing patriarchal norms.
Indeed, a story structure is often
compared to an act of male orgasm.
The climax of the story
being an ejaculation.
So these theorists claim...
...we should rather attempt to escape
the patriarchal form of narratives...
...and do something more avant-garde
and experimental instead.
Three act structure, the climax
and its' entertainment value...
...all of it can be seen as
neoliberal form of art...
...made to create emotions
and manipulate the viewer...
...in order to retain the
existing social boundaries.
Let's say for a moment that the
story is a metaphor of life.
Then, lets also say that the
story I am telling has no meaning.
Does that mean that life
has no meaning?
What if life doesn't have
any meaning?
Romas!
Should we then cease telling
stories altogether?
Or maybe, in fact, we tell stories
in order to pretend...
- Should I turn it off? - No
- ...that fife does have meaning.
Maybe we are telling
all these stories...
...neoliberal and avant-garde
historical and psychoanalytical...
only because....
Subtitle by Misterhutch
Follow me on Wattpad: misterhutch
Dearest, we're back to
review today's press.
And we see some
hot photos:
it's a naked, gay,
Romas Zabarauskas!
It's written that on Friday, the filmmaker
successfully funded his new film.
He promised to send his naked pic
to those who donated.
Many wanted to see it
and he collected $20,000!
Though Romas's films aren't commercially
successful, as DELFLIt reports.
He could now easily
change his line of work....
Bitch.
Indré!
Romas!
Oh my God.
Sorry, I'm coming here
so unexpectedly.
I'm sorry.
No problem.
I didn't give any notice.
No, no. I just can't believe it.
Well, come in.
My goodness, I have so many
questions for you.
Do you want tea?
Yes, please.
Thank you.
The red one is really good.
I bought it in London.
Try it out.
I want chamomile.
Chamomile is good too.
Can you buy it in Moscow?
It's very Lithuanian.
I don't know. I don't drink it there.
It is somewhat Lithuanian, isn't it?
It isn't really Lithuanian.
So how are you?
Good.
Very well.
How was your premiere?
Russian Pudding?
Good. It went really well.
He's a good director.
Awesome.
Mhm.
How are you doing?
Good, everything is really well.
We showed We Will Riot
here and there.
But we didn't make a profit.
I know I still owe you.
Oh, you think that's why I came?
I don't know.
C'mon, I understand.
How is your love life?
Very good.
I showed the film in Mexico
and found a boyfriend.
Really?
Yes.
Mexico, but it's so far away?
Yeah, but he's here.
Where?
Here. You want me to call him?
He's sleeping.
Oh, here?
No, don't call him now.
What is it?
What happened, Indré?
I went....
I went....
No.
No.
I was noticed by the famous
acting coach.
Gina Caplan.
She works with a lot of
stars in Hollywood.
She had a master class in
Moscow a month ago.
She noticed me from a
thousand participants.
I volunteered for an improvisation
and she noticed me.
Afterwards she proposed
I take her courses.
And I agreed.
I decided to
quit everything and go.
But I need money.
The courses cost $20,000,
let alone living costs.
I came to Lithuania
to get my money.
She owes me.
When my parents divorced...
...my father left me half of the
House she's living in now.
It's clear.
But my mom...
She never gave me anything.
She said, "If you want,
come and live here."
But mom...
I don't even live in Lithuania.
But maybe she doesn't
have any money?
She does.
She married a successful
businessman.
She's just using me to get
revenge on my father.
She wants his attention.
It's unfair!
So, she promised me money.
She promised to cover
my LA expenses.
We made a deal.
She said, "Come. We'll go to
the bank and fix everything."
I came from Moscow.
And it's same bullshit again.
She will only give me half and
I'm supposed to ask my father for the rest.
It's unfair.
She has to give me my share.
My father dealt with her
a long time ago.
He even told me to take
her to court.
But how did you?
I took the keys from
the safe.
The safe is under this ugly
Sarfinas Sauka painting.
I took it down.
I opened the safe.
And then she got in my way.
I pushed her to
the side of the safe.
It was an accident.
I really, really didn't intend to.
Then she started screaming.
And I hate her yelling.
And I pushed her again.
I pushed her two,
three times total.
Romas, I think I did
something wrong.
Nijolé Grubiené, the mother of the
famous actress Indré Latinyté…,
…was found dead in her home.
The police suspect homicide.
The police have not
named suspects.
The body of Nijolé Grubiené
was found in her home.
Police officers are
at the scene.
Anyone with relevant information
should contact us as soon as possible.
Who?
Police officer Nerijus Dambrauskas
briefed us at the scene.
I don't know.
Nijolé Grubiené was married to a…
Give me the phone.
…businessman, Audrius Grubys.
Her daughter, Indré Latinyté
works and Rives in Moscow.
And what if?
It will be fine.
But if they?
Really.
Answer it.
Who?
Hello?
Hey Romas, it's Diana,
sorry to disturb.
Did you hear the news?
What news?
The mother of your actress
friend was found dead.
Of who?
Indré Latinyté.
Did you know her mother?
No, I didn't.
Really? I'm at the scene now.
Her stepfather and
the police are here.
It's a terrible event.
I'm just thinking of who
might know something.
I don't know what to say.
But maybe you know someone
who might have some information?
No, I don't.
Well then.
You can write that I think
she has nothing to do with it.
That's what I think.
Thanks.
Who was it?
A DELFI journalist.
I'm screwed.
You can't go to
the airport.
Did you steal it?
I didn't steal it. I took it.
YOU CAN'T ESCAPE LITHUANIA
Subtitle by Misterhutch
We'll take a small road and
cross the border to Poland.
Or no, there aren't borders
Now we're one European Union.
Then Germany.
We'll pass France, Spain,
And finally get to Portugal.
In Portugal, we'll rent you a place
somewhere in the mountains.
No questions asked.
When things calm down,
we'll come visit you.
Stay here.
Do you want anything?
Give me the tablet.
Here.
Did you get any water?
Get down.
You had to tell me,
but yes, I did.
Where is Carlos?
He went to smoke.
We don't smoke.
- Don't be stupid.
- No stupid.
- Come with me!
- No.
What the fuck?
I don't understand nothing!
What?
You don't translate
me nothing.
Baby, I'm sorry.
Look, your friend kill mother.
No need help.
Well, it's not that simple.
My friend mother no good.
They fight, mother dies.
But she's my friend and
I have to help her.
Can we go now?
If you go with me,
you can fuck me tonight.
They suspect me.
The police named me
as a suspect.
What?
Eight years to life.
This punishment would await actress
Indré Latinyté if convicted.
Wait a sec.
A life sentence?
Why?
Because she's your mother.
What's the difference?
There is a difference.
But why?
Why?
Indré Latinyté is the main
suspect in her mother's murder.
Police are asking anyone
who has seen the actress...,
...or who has related information
to contact them without delay.
Gay filmmaker, Romas Zabarauskas's
exclusive interview on DELFI.
"I don't think she
could have done this."
Look, maybe we can stop.
I'm sick.
Subtitle by Misterhutch
Carlos!
Carlos!
Carlos, help Indré.
- No.
- Give me.
No, no. I don't want to.
Give me.
No.
What are you doing?
Stop!
Stop it!
Damn it.
Why?
Mhm?
I'm filming our last film.
Every story has a beginning,
a middle, and an end.
Every story is
a metaphor of life.
We tell stories
all the time.
This is how we, people, communicate
and relate to each other.
Throughout history,
people have told stories.
In fact, history itself is
a collection of stories.
There are many theories
on why people like stories so much.
Psychoanalytical theory, based
on Sigmund Freud, states...
…that our narrative desire is motivated by
both our sex and death drives.
Our sex drive, Eras…,
…makes us create…,
t…o have sex, to have children…,
…to have an impact on
our society or humanity…,
…to leave stories behind,
to produce meaning.
Our death drive, Thanatos...,
...is our secret wish to dissolve into
nothingness that we once were.
This drive makes us want to
experience the end of the story.
But the story has to have
enough shifts and repetitions
so we could believe that end.
To conclude, we want
same sexual texture...,
...and then death...,
dissolution into nothingness.
This is what we want
from our lives...,
...and this is what we want
from our stories as well.
Mom.
Hello.
Hi.
Hi.
How are you?
Good.
Are you driving?
I can call you later.
No, no need.
Are you going somewhere?
I'm....
We're going to the
seaside with Carlos.
Oh, really? You didn't
say anything.
We only thought of
it this morning.
Oh, OK. I read about Indré.
Yes.
You know about it?
Yes.
It's horrible.
Horrible.
And you are OK?
Yes.
Romas, are you really OK?
I'm just very shocked.
It's very strange and sad.
I understand.
Okay, Mom. We'll talk later, okay?
Okay, okay.
I have to go, bye.
Bye-bye.
What did she say?
Nothing.
Was she suspicious?
No, don't worry.
And she knows about
Carlos and all?
What do you mean?
Well that you're together?
Yes, my mom is very
progressive.
And your dad?
My dad is very religious, they divorced
and I'm not in touch with him.
Sorry to keep asking.
No, it's OK.
My mom and her parents
support me a lot.
I just think sometimes
that I don't feel enough.
I don't feel enough for myself,
my family, friends, Carlos.
Should we speak in English?
No need.
It's not nice, no?
I said, no need.
Well but you're working with films,
working with feelings.
But you don't like my films!
I don't like how
I act in them.
Well here, I'll tell you a story.
A few months ago,
I was at our class reunion.
Everyone was talking about their news jobs,
being married, not married, etc.
Our teacher, who organized
everything,
showed us our theater plays
from different years.
She had recorded everything
with a cheap camera.
And I had a main role in all of them.
Watching it, I realized
I'm not a good actor.
I was even a really
bad actor.
You were a child.
No, wait a sec.
I was thinking, again and again,
and decided to invite her to dinner.
We went to a restaurant.
And I asked her why she let me act
and why she gave me the main roles.
At first she just laughed.
But at the end she admitted that it
was her way of thanking my parents...
...for supporting the theater
financially.
You're exaggerating.
I'm not.
My parents were always
defending me...,
...and I felt like I never
achieved anything on my own.
But you achieved a lot.
Yes, but only with the
help of my parents.
What are you doing?
Romas!
Wait!
Wait!
It's beautiful here.
Another theory claims...
...that we wan': one thing from our
heroes because of our common sense...,
...and another thing out
of our narrative desire.
For example, in a film, Titanic...,
...our common sense tells us...
...the best ending would be everyone
staying alive and in love forever.
But at the same time, we also want
something tragic to happen to our heroes...,
...because we know it would
make a better story.
It is precisely this clash of
conflicting desires that entertains us.
Put the phone away.
I'm making a film.
Your film is boring.
Give it to me!
Give it!
Carlos, come here.
Question for you.
Are you legal here?
Here, in Lithuania, understand?
What are you doing?
It's interesting!
No it's not.
Visa till July.
What, what? Say me again?
Visa till July.
Oh, I see.
And then what?
Everything is over?
Why are you filming?
I'm doing the film. Let's do it!
So....
Your love story will end?
Then I will go to Mexico.
Wow!
And then that's it,
bye-bye Carlos?
Well I'll go to Mexico.
Or I'll get Carlos
an artist's visa.
Or, he'll stay here illegally.
Give it back.
A film needs some drama! Drama!
We're making the film, aren't we?
Yeah?
Then tell me why you
killed your mother.
Stupid.
You think it was for money?
No, not for money.
You don't have any tact.
You killed her for something else.
Wanna know why?
Well, tell me.
Tell me why, you piece of shit.
Your grandpa is a famous
writer, a well-known genius.
He wrote a few bestsellers.
Won awards, met our President.
Your dad is also
a genius writer...,
...a journalist.
So what?
They are the best of us.
They are the voices of their generations
and you always wanted to be like them.
And what, is that bad?
Well, no.
But see, they are men
and you are a woman.
And you hate this.
And you're a queer.
In Lithuanian society, only
men are considered geniuses.
Men create. Women procreate.
You hated all this. That's why
you hated your mother.
Your mother was
avery simple woman.
She didn't know anything
about art.
She only cared about you,
loved you and irritated you.
And you were afraid to become
like her--a stereotypical woman.
Shut up.
You were convinced that the femininity
you had from her prevented you...
...from reaching fame.
Look, now really, shut it.
You want to kill
your femininity.
You want to be a man.
Shut up!
It will hurt now.
Aaa! Ouch!
Take this.
But you really are crazy.
I am really very, very sorry.
(ranting in foreign language)
While discussing narrative from
a psychoanalytical perspective...,
it might be interesting
to observe...
...that psychoanalysis is itself an
exercise in narrative building.
The psychoanalyst hears the stories, dreams,
associations of his or her analysand...
...and then tries to incorporate them
into a single, coherent narrative.
It is this narrative, and the revealed
repetitions in ones behavior...,
...that help a patient to better
understand his or her life.
I like the old tunes
that no one listens to....
C'mon!
At night I listen to metal.
Guys!
When all the neighbors sleep....
I like to live this way.
Well, snob?
And to be independent.
To be my own boss.
And to love the way I want!
I like to live this way.
And to be independent.
To be my own boss.
And to love the way I want!
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Damn it.
Where are you going?
Toilet.
We have a spare tire, but it
won't get us to Portugal.
Indré, run.
What?
I said, run!
Hello.
Hello.
It's me.
It's you.
Carlos, I need to run,
police is here.
I go with you.
Thank you so much officer.
I couldn't have done it alone
No problem, really.
I was checking for
speeders nearby...,
...saw that you're in trouble and
thought I might be able to help.
Not much to do around here.
But you weren't alone?
Not alone?
I saw two people
running to woods.
Yes, it's true.
They were hitchhikers.
And they left you
alone like this?
They--
They'll cut through the woods.
People these days.
Let's stop.
I can't anymore.
Do you hate me?
I hate.
Look, I'm sorry.
It's OK.
How did you meet Romas?
Mexico.
Yes, but how?
He show film.
Did you like my acting?
Yes.
Thank you.
Can I ask you, Why are
you with Romas?
I don't understand.
OK, forget it.
So, what do you do in life?
Guess!
I don't know, really.
Guess!
Well...
Maybe you are a war veteran?
You wok so tough.
No, no war. Peace.
Something with tourism?
No.
Well, I really don't know.
I'm very bad at guessing.
I'm an escort.
Escort?
What do you mean by that?
Gay for pay.
Oh really?
Oh, I'm sorry. I guess
it's none of my business.
It's OK.
Do you mean that
Romas is paying you?
Yes.
How much?
Four thousand euros per month.
And how long have
you been together?
Four months.
That's a big amount of money.
I know!
You are this gay filmmaker,
Romas Zabarauskas!
Yes.
Oh man, awesome!
What?
Our boss, she's also,
you know, the same.
So she's always praising
what you're doing.
Unbelievable.
Well, then...
...I'll go back to
my speed checks.
Thank you so much, officer.
No problem, Romas.
Good luck.
Officer!
Your jacket.
Thank you, Romas.
No problem.
What is?
Nothing, just...
...money.
It's all about money.
You know I play in those TV
series and commercials in Russia.
And I get paid.
Get paid very well.
But I don't like what I do.
I'm selling out.
I'm acting in all
kinds of bullshit.
And when I participate
in interesting projects,
something I believe in,
I get never paid.
Romas, for example,
never paid me anything.
Shhh, all is OK.
I just think...,
...why am I doing this?
For fame?
For art?
I just feel that I'm an
escort myself, Carlos.
Your heart is right.
We got lost.
Really?
Yeah, can you imagine?
We were running,
and then we stopped...,
...looked around, and realized
we don't know where we are.
Did you look for us?
No, I was afraid I'd get lost.
And how did everything go?
He was looking for speeders.
He helped change the tire.
What are you doing?
We're going to my grandparents'
summerhouse for the night.
Subtitle by Misterhutch
It's beautiful.
But why is it so dusty?
No one has been here
in the last ten years.
Why not?
We stopped going here after
my parents divorced.
I told my mom
that I was gay.
She understood,
but my dad didn't.
He threw me out of the house.
My mom saved me.
She and my grandparents
brought me here.
They were bringing me food and
taking me to school every day.
Yes. Thrown out of my home.
He gave me a
thousand euros.
One thousand litas.
And told me to live on my own
and then see who I think I am.
My mom couldn't
kick me out.
When my dad discovered everything
she'd done to help me, he was furious.
They divorced and we've
never seen him since.
That's horrible.
Yet, I keep thinking.
What if I had taken that thousand
and tried to live on my own?
Maybe I wouldn't be so spoiled now?
But then there wouldn't be
those silly films.
There wouldn't be Carlos.
There wouldn't be Indré.
Bedrooms are upstairs.
Wait.
I want to tell you something.
I decided...
Decided to go home.
What?
I want to go to the police
and confess.
Why?
You were right.
All my life I wanted to be
like my dad or my grandpa.
I wanted to be a genius and
fought for it for a long time.
But you can't fight for it.
You either have it
or you don't.
And I don't.
I think you do.
Let's say I do.
You really do.
Let's say so. Let's say I do.
But then I made a mistake.
I was wrong, Romas.
Why?
Because I did something immoral.
You did what you did.
But do you want to spend
your last days in prison?
Don't you understand...
...that it's worse to live all my
life knowing I killed my mother?
It would be awful.
Even my own freedom
isn't worth it.
I couldn't.
I decided. I want to go to the
police and tell them everything.
My conscience will be cleared.
It doesn't fit the plot.
What plot?
The film that we're doing.
What film are you
talking about?
We'll talk tomorrow.
Wait a sec.
To hell with your film.
What film are you
talking about?
That bullshit we shot
with your phone?
That "bullshit" has a really good
plot and classical characters.
What characters?
We'll talk tomorrow morning.
No, Romas, we'll delete
everything.
Carlos told me that
you're paying him!
What?
Maybe you should pay me first
before filming your bullshit, OK?
I am a renowned filmmaker.
And you're too incompetent
to share your opinion at all!
Romas, you have no talent.
Wait.
Stop!
No, stop!
[Emergency number]
I'm sorry.
For what?
It's only acting.
I know you're tired.
But maybe let's film
that final killing scene?
Which scene?
The final one.
You're going to the police
after all.
So we need to film,
to finish the film.
OK.
So give me the knife.
Give me the phone.
ONE YEAR LATER
Hello!
I'm sorry.
Good evening, everyone.
I'm happy that our gallery is presenting
a new Lithuanian film today.
This premiere is part of the Vilnius Film Forum
and is expanding to new spaces.
I don't think I need to
introduce Romas Zabarauskas.
But I'm happy to present his work
in the contemporary art scene.
Let's just welcome
Romas Zabarauskas.
Romas, I haven't seen the film yet,
but I wanted to ask what inspired you?
What inspired.
I prepared a few things but
wasn't ready for questions.
Please, the stage is yours.
Thank you.
I'm very happy you came here.
We can be sure that in this
hall we are the new Lithuania.
A Lithuania without racism,
sexism, or homophobia!
Please applaud!
Thank you.
When I write my scripts, I dance.
I just dance.
I put on some music and dance
in my room with all my energy.
I dance until I forget my body and
stay with my thoughts, alone.
But this time I didn't
write a script.
I turned the camera on myself
and filmed myself dancing.
I'm not a professional dancer.
Is watching me dance
interesting enough?
You decide.
But at least one day
I can say that I danced.
I danced.
To dad
Some theories say that the traditional
film narrative, as we know it...,
is in fact a historical
practice...,
...feminists accuse this narrative
of reinforcing patriarchal norms.
Indeed, a story structure is often
compared to an act of male orgasm.
The climax of the story
being an ejaculation.
So these theorists claim...
...we should rather attempt to escape
the patriarchal form of narratives...
...and do something more avant-garde
and experimental instead.
Three act structure, the climax
and its' entertainment value...
...all of it can be seen as
neoliberal form of art...
...made to create emotions
and manipulate the viewer...
...in order to retain the
existing social boundaries.
Let's say for a moment that the
story is a metaphor of life.
Then, lets also say that the
story I am telling has no meaning.
Does that mean that life
has no meaning?
What if life doesn't have
any meaning?
Romas!
Should we then cease telling
stories altogether?
Or maybe, in fact, we tell stories
in order to pretend...
- Should I turn it off? - No
- ...that fife does have meaning.
Maybe we are telling
all these stories...
...neoliberal and avant-garde
historical and psychoanalytical...
only because....
Subtitle by Misterhutch
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