Director S. Baradinskas, who is starting filming in Vilnius: “We are ready to give Lithuania a musical” | Culture

Together with a team of more than 100 people, the director promises to take future viewers to the magical realism of the 90s, when he worked in the districts urlaganai, and many felt insecure. “I want to show the international audience what it means to grow up in the area and feel constant fear, but at the same time I can assure you that it will not only be a cruel, but also a very beautiful film,” says S. Baradinskas.

– Saul, The filming of the musical “Concrete Children” will begin soon. What are the feelings, what are the moods when starting work?

This year is the most intense in my life, during which I have already made four films, we will film the fifth in Lithuania. There is nothing better than to return to Lithuania for a short time after studying in Hollywood and make a film here. I have been developing the idea of ​​creating a full-length musical for four years, so I am happy to be able to shoot a short film this time, which will become its introduction. I feel the meaning of diving into unfamiliar waters and boldly dream of giving Lithuania another musical after “The Mood of the Devil”.

Personal archive photos/Filming

– “Concrete Children” theme – juvenile delinquency. Why is this topic relevant? What did you think about when creating and developing the idea?

I think that every Vilnius resident who grew up in a post-Soviet area remembers the feeling of insecurity that prevailed in the 90s. When Lithuania became an independent country and society was forming, crime was very high not only in the yard, but also in the close environment, at school.

“Concrete children” – adults (eng. coming of age) is a story about a young man and his journey. Although most of the film will take place in playgrounds, the musical is about young people who have never played there. In the musical, the story revolves around a talented boy, Rock, who sings amazingly, but grows up in a poor neighborhood and faces violence.

During the film’s journey, he has to make a decision – whether to respond in kind or to follow the path of light and music. I want to show the international audience what it’s like to grow up in the area and feel constant fear, but at the same time I can assure you that it will not only be a brutal but also a very beautiful film.

One of the most important themes of this musical is the freedom to be yourself. Traveling and traveling around the world, I too had to become free and democratic. Although our parents opened a new world for us after winning independence, we did not know how to live in it. I don’t fully know that even now, because freedom comes with great responsibility.

As a nation, we experienced three occupations, collective trauma, we never had emotionally communicating generations, we never went to therapy. However, my generation, my parents’, and today’s generation together managed to create a free state. I think it is important that, against the background of the war going on today, we talk about it loudly and strive to make Lithuania’s name and music sound in the world.

– You mentioned that this movie – prelude to the full-length musical Concrete Music.

– After graduation, my dreams lead to the musical “Concrete Music”. This is a magical realism film about a young man, Rock, who escapes from a mafia family after his mother is killed by the mafia associated with his father. I’m talking about three independent Lithuanias: a state within a state where the mafia operates, an informal Lithuania with subcultures, squires, metalheads and punks, and a young Lithuania that, after the murder of Vito Lingis, adopted a law guaranteeing state protection for those cooperating with law enforcement, Lithuania that joined NATO and the EU, Lithuania, which was born in all regions and cities. It’s good to tell the story of my generation through a young guy who grew up in the years of independence and chose to be free.

– You spent your childhood in Pashilaičiai. Maybe the movie is about your own life story?

– To this day, I remember my childhood in Pashilaičiai, the battles of the district, when as a teenager I fell in love with a girl who had a relationship with a boy from the colony. That time it ended well because the police intervened, but to this day I remember being threatened with a gun. As a director of the young generation who grew up in independent Lithuania, it is important for me to talk not only about my experiences and experiences, but also about a young creator in an environment where the conditions for growth are not necessarily the best.

As a nation, we experienced three occupations, collective trauma, we never had emotionally communicating generations, we never went to therapy.

– I wonder why you chose the musical genre?

– Those interested in my career will probably not be surprised by this choice. In total, I created about 200 music videos, including works for the Eurovision song “Dischotheque” by the group “The Roop”, the group “Antis”, artists Jazzu, Monika Liu, Moniqué. It was music that brought me to cinema. When I presented three feature films to the audience that received international acclaim, I naturally combined the two things that make me a director – cinema and music. True, I thought that creating a musical would be easier (laughs).

– Have you not received negative reactions, criticism? After all, this genre is not very popular in our country.

– When I first came up with the idea of ​​staging a musical, I really received a lot of criticism, but I’m a positive enough person myself and I think that if you’re afraid, you won’t do anything. Together with the team, we put in a lot of work, the creation is very sincere and meaningful. This is a big responsibility, so I give myself a “license to make mistakes” – I can make a bad, imperfect film in my career. However, I believe in the actors, myself, the whole team and that we will achieve a good result.

If you ask people if they like the musical genre, usually the opinion is either very positive, or on the contrary – very negative. When creating the plot of a musical, you have to subtly transition to the music and retell the story while singing. All this has to happen in harmony because the audience is intelligent, sensitive, cinema-loving and selective. I love my viewers and I really want them to feel respected, so I will try to maintain the right balance in Concrete Children.

– Maybe you can give out who will contribute to „Concrete children“ creative teams?

– In my career, Concrete Children will be one of the most ambitious projects. The team will consist of over 100 people, joined by the “Ėuoliukas” choir and its director Vytautas Miškinis, a troupe of dancers consisting of the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theater and professional modern dance talents. The main role will be played by Domantas Starkauskas from the group “Abudu”, who is a creator of amazing talent, a professional actor and singer.

The musical will also feature Kasparas Varanavičius, Arūnas Sakalauskas, Kęstutis Cicėnas, Agnes Šataitė and other wonderful actors. The creative team of the film consists of story author Eglė Vertelytė, motion director Kipras Chlebinskas – former soloist of the Opera and Ballet Theater who created roles in “Romeo and Juliet”, “Bolero”, cinematographer Narvydas Naujalis, producer Viktorija Seniut, costume designer Mantas Bartkus, make-up artist Jurgita Globytė , film artist Daumantas Levickas, casting director Greta Petrovskytė and others.

The music for the musical is written by the amazingly talented Italian and UK composer Andrea Boccadoro, who has been working with Lithuanian creators and choir directors for many years and has composed music for over 40 films. By the way, he has what we need – not only a classical musical education, but also experience in a rock band, creating film music. He will also be in Vilnius during the filming.

– What role will your native Vilnius play in the musical?

– I am from Vilnius and I have always seen Vilnius as a cinematographic and cinema-friendly city. I remember one time during my studies in America we had to show three photos of the places where we grew up – I brought photos of the old town of Vilnius, the neighborhood and Vingis Park – my fellow students were amazed that all these spaces fit in one city.

In the musical, Justiniškės will be a character that I will try to show that the district can be both a very friendly and the most cruel playground. Also, as a film director, I want to immortalize the Soviet districts, where many talented people grew up and became an important part of our history. I am grateful to all residents of Vilnius for their patience during the filming – thanks to you, Vilnius is visible all over the world.

– How do you assess today’s Lithuanian cinema, what do you notice in the works of creators of your generation, in their approach to creativity?

– The greatest meaning of life is to create in Lithuania as well, because the people living here inspire me, I feel great gratitude for them. I love Lithuanian cinema and I am proud to be a part of this generation of filmmakers. I think that Lithuanian cinema is going through a golden age, I am a huge fan of the films of directors Lauryns Bareishas, ​​Vytautas Katkaus, Eglės Vertelytė, Marijas Kavtaradzes, as well as the films of the older generation – Ignos Jonyns, Ignos Miškinis. Our creators have courage, self-reflection, sensitively create cinema that is recognized all over the world. I will wish Lithuania Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, because Lithuania is already a small Hollywood.

However, I would like to inspire people to be more supportive of each other. I have experienced unconstructive criticism, and as a small country, we don’t need it, because even with a small budget, we are able to make great films. We really have a lot to be proud of.

– Thank you for the conversation.

The Vilnius Film Office informs about filming works in the city and short-term traffic restrictions:

July 22 preparatory work begins, and on July 23 and 24 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. filming will take place in Šypsenų aleja (Justiniškės), limiting pedestrian traffic in the filming area for a short time (up to 5 minutes) and allowing technical transport to enter, and a lift to be placed on the sidewalk.