Elze Is Gilijos

Trying to get acquainted with Lithuanian cinematography could be a hard and abominable task. Yet, it's a miracle when our "LKS" (Lithuanian cinema studious), create a little piece of gold, instead of leasing the technology and employ all the specialists in Hollywood production groups! So what, that the production of a feature film in Lithuania costs a half of the budget, that should be used in Western Europe or America, it's a rare case, we can enjoy a real Lithuanian movie. "Elze is Gilijos" has wonderful costumes, shows the traditions, that disappeared in XIX century, actors have intense feelings among themselves! The Prussian lifestyle is some kind of mystery for modern lithuanians as well as for eg. the cultures of Mayans or Inks, so Algimantas Puipa (with a great variety of popular Lithuanian actors Kostas Smoriginas, Antanas Surna, Janina Lapinskaite, Egle Jazelskyte, Eduardas Pauliukonis) has made something special, bringing exotic features of our ancestors.

The movie was greatly appreciated by the Berlin Cinema Festival.

This film was first of Lithuanian movies which was in normal budget. Our financial situation isn't very good, so this movie was unbelievable. Many many people came to cinema to watch Lithuanian movie not Russian. I think movie was made perfect. Lithuanian traditions, German and Russian invasions, everything that our country felt ... Photography was excellent, actors very professional, story amazing ...

The quality of picture, sound and editing makes this movie one of the best made in Lithuania. It is a little bit unusual, that director A.Puipa made this movie easy understandable (comparing with his other movies). Anyway, this is a nice love story, a sketch of germanized small Lithuania and a renaissance of a lithuanian cinema. Great job!

Having seen two short films, both directed by Janina Lapinskaite, I'm starting to think that she might be the greatest director on Earth. If you think ELZE IS GILIJOS is enchanting and brilliant, try Lapinskaite's other short film, THE LIFE OF ELVES -- it's a masterpiece. You'll be mesmerized.

I know that I should be offering my opinion on ELZE in this forum, but I am forced to concentrate on the brilliance of Lapinskaite's direction. Anyone who sees The Life of Elves will be haunted by the stark images of the elderly dwarf carrying the family's daily chicken dinner to the chopping block, and the haggard family digging on their hands and knees in search of a potato or two. Watching the the three, elderly, elfish siblings sitting awestruck around the ancient television waiting for the weather report and hoping for Spring is strangely not so tragic.

What would this director do with a big budget? It boggles the mind. I can't describe this director by comparing her to anyone -- maybe Diane Arbus -- but in essence she is peerless.

Damien