The films made about queer lives have almost been engaged with the common challenges about the relationship – youth, physical connection, and rare seen love affairs. But The Writer made by Romas Zabarauskas takes the audiences to the LGBTQ+ community through a therapeutic Journey. Zabarauskas regarded as one of the most promising and inspiring new voices among Baltic filmmakers, brings out two queers’ narratives in a room, almost said by sitting down on two chairs as client and therapist and vice versa. They discuss a wide spectrum of ideas – political, geographical, social, cultural, and religious ones. As it seems, you need to pause the film from time to time to follow the issues.
Kostas (Bruce Ross) a university professor in New York City teaching culture in the Russian and Slavic department, meets with Dima (Jamie Day) a computer engineer in Vilnius, Lithuania. Here are the ex-lovers in their 60s reuniting after 30 years. Dima comes from Lithuania for a job interview and visits Kostas in a café and requires him to sign his latest book “1990”. “To Dima, my love” comment written by Kostas is what provokes the viewers’ curiosity about their relationship at first glance.
“The Brooklyn-based story focuses entirely on the two characters and their long-awaited reunion. Their conversations uncover a personal and historical past, bringing attention to the theme of conflict between society and an individual. How much freedom do we have to direct our own lives, and how are they affected by social, political, and cultural circumstances?” Said Romas Zabarauskas in one of his interviews.
One of the film’s standout aspects is its strong character development. Kostas and Dima with their brilliant performances, bring the gentlest moments of being understood and loved. Human fragility, his struggle to be paid attention, his desperation about being left behind in a love relationship are skillfully dedicated via a strong script. While during the film, the feeling of having no gender can be felt in the depth of discourses on identity.
Here might be where a human sees no sex in connectedness to another human being.
The body fades away and love appears to place the two phenomena of awareness in one entity. Here Schopenhauer opinion on love can be questioned – as he reckons: “love is human seduction to survival” to bear and rear children on earth.
The film’s compelling screenplay offers a delicate balance between introspective moments and engaging dialogue. Zabarauskas’ writing explores themes surrounding creative inspiration, societal pressures, and the struggle for self-acceptance. Through sharp and poignant exchanges between characters, the film delves into the complexities of human relationships, both romantic and platonic.
In 1990, the Supreme Council of the Lithuanian SSR passed the Act of Independence, officially declaring Lithuania’s departure from the Soviet Union. This bold move was met with opposition from the Soviet authorities, who initially refused to recognize Lithuania’s sovereignty and threatened coercive measures. Lithuania’s declaration of independence triggered a series of events that would shape the future of the country – the future that revolutionized many people’s lives including Dima who was struggling to accept his soviet roots.
Dima’s main quest – like many experience the transformation- was about identity and what shapes human character, whether of geography, genetics, language or his choices. Beyond the individual struggles of Kostas and Dima, the film also touches on broader societal issues. It challenges the constraints and expectations imposed by traditional norms, particularly in conservative environments, offering a powerful commentary on the universal struggle for self-expression and acceptance, especially for LGBTQ+ communities.
The cinematography of the film tastefully contains the power of dialogues – the contrast of the light and dark and the angles in which we observe Kostas and Dima in the frames all show intimacy and their different viewpoints on different issues from love to politics. Zabarauskas skillfully employs striking cinematography and atmospheric lighting to create a dreamlike aesthetic that mirrors the state of mind. The use of vibrant colors and carefully composed shots adds depth and symbolism to the storytelling, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
The Writer is an enchanting and thought-provoking film that delves deep into the complexities of personal and creative identity. Romas Zabarauskas crafts an intimate and visually – verbally mesmerizing experience that engages and challenges viewers in equal measure. A testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of self-expression, The Writer is a must-watch for those seeking a captivating exploration of love, longing, and the pursuit of profound fulfillment.
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