IZAOKAS

Lithuania

Synopsis

In 1941, Lithuanian activist Andrius Gluosnis kills a Jew, Isaac, at the Lietukis garage massacre. Years later, in Soviet Lithuania, his friend, movie director Gutauskas, returns from the USA with a screenplay of a film that tells in detail the massacre and a situation where Isaac is being killed. This screenplay becomes evidence for an investigation that the KGB began on the events of 1941. Gluosnis' friend Gutauskas becomes the main suspect. Gluosnis’ life sets about to crumble during the preparations for the film – his guilt tortures him until he understands that he has to make peace with the victim.
The film discusses themes of guilt, friendship, love, regret and self-liberation in the difficult historical context of the Holocaust and post war Soviet era in Lithuania.

Director's Statement

Writing this screenplay we wanted to comprehend the everyday life of the post-war Soviet era and through that – to better understand our parents, grand-parents and the whole society of that time and how it formed in the shade of the former tragic events. However, the ideas of the film should be relevant during any historical period, as well as nowadays, as Isaac is about the constant fight within the human being – with himself and his environment.
I wouldn’t call this a film a historical drama, I think it's more of a dream about a period of time, where we tried to re-invent history through stories, photographs and films. In order to create our own world. I see it more as a bad dream from which you can’t wake up.

Director's Biography

Jurgis Matulevičius is a director, screenwriter and editor form Vilnius, Lithuania. He graduated from the Lithuanian Music and Theatre Academy with a degree in Film Directing. Jurgis has worked with well-known Lithuanian film directors Šarūnas Bartas, Algimantas Puipa and others.

FILMOGRAPHY:
2019 ISAAC
2015 INTERROGATOR, short
2013 VICTIM, short
2012 ANIMA ANIMUS, short
2011 ABSURD PEOPLE, short
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Cast & Crew

Directed by: Jurgis Matulevičius

Written by: Saule Bliuvaite, Jurgis Matulevičius, Nerijus Milerius

Produced by: Stasys Baltakis

Cinematography: Narvydas Naujalis

Editing: Jurgis Matulevičius, Saule Bliuvaite, Gintare Sokelyte

Production Design: Paulius Anicas

Costume Design: Agne Matuleviciute

Make-Up & Hair: Juste Butke

Original Score: Domas Strupinskas, Agne Matuleviciute

Sound: Wojciech Mielimaka

Visual Effects: Aleksandras Polevojus, Simonas Korsakas

Cast: Aleksas Kazanavicius (Andrius Gluosnis), Dainius Gavenonis (Gediminas Gutauskas), Severija Janušauskaite (Elena), Martynas Nedzinskas (Kazimieras)

Nominations and Awards

  • European Discovery - Prix Fipresci 2020