Seses

"Seses" (Drowning Dry) feels like a perfect example of everything wrong with Lithuanian cinema today. Once again, we're subjected to endless, pointless shots of people doing nothing-unloading groceries from a car back and forth, lying in bed, scrolling through their phones, and doing headstands for an eternity. This isn't artistic; it's lazy. The first half of this film is so mind-numbingly slow that I found myself checking the time more often than following the story - if there even was one.

Sure, the film tries to touch on real-life issues, but by the time those moments appear, it's hard to care. The pacing kills any potential it had. The acting, especially with the child actors, is clumsy - characters talk over each other in scenes that clearly weren't reshot. Were these seriously the best takes? It feels like no one bothered to try again, hoping the slow, 'artsy' atmosphere would cover up the lack of effort. But it doesn't.

The second half does improve slightly, but that's not saying much. Something actually happens then. If this is the direction Lithuanian cinema is still heading-prioritizing empty, indulgent shots over meaningful storytelling - it's no wonder audiences are left disengaged.

Let me start by saying we had very little hopes knowing that lithuanian cinema rarely is climatic. This was anticlimatic times four. The prolonged scenes with no added value, the lack of chemistry between sisters, the acting itself made you question on whether this was the first take, the sound - one microphone shared amongst all 6 main characters? No character development, the random scene qutting just did not make any sense, one or two scenes that were not even close to having a meaningful symbol, and the plot itself makes you feel like you just got robbed - it is painstakingly numb and the directors wish to spice it up or deliver something deeper was again, not in the room. Save yourself the money and your time - skip it.

As usually in all the dramas I wanted to feel both: the depth and the meaning of actions, to find the answers and explanations putting it all together. I really tried. It was so slow and it was hard.

If you could just separate the picture and the sound parts of this movie, the picture was so much better.

The dialogues... They were too weak, sometimes with poor articulation.

In the part with indoor swimming pool it seemed like the actors are just improvising all the text.

The part with the girl on the shore by the lake seemed to be so important, but the conversations and acting looked unnatural.

This movie is called Sisters (in Lithuanian), however the most bright line was definitely not about them.

And the naked scene. Just why?

The movie was long, boring and about nothing. Most of the time it was showing people just chilling and doing regular everyday things.

A lot of random scenes such as a man lying in bed scrolling his phone for about 5 minutes.

The relationship between the sisters and all of the family members was weird and very cold. Very little communication happening, which does not match a realistic family relationship.

Another observation about the viewers age is 13+ and then one of the first scenes shows a full on naked man with his penis out. Felt awkard seeing young girls watching this movie in the same theatre.

The slow pace and non linear timeline and reserved but thoughtful camerawork makes this a masterpiece of European cinematography. The viewer is just as a quiet observer who is connected to the story through thoughtful choice of camera angles and brilliantly natural acting. It seems that the director purposefully omits every cinematic vehicle designed to deliver particular emotion or particular reaction. You are left to observe and interpret it all yourself. Even close ups are left out in some places to allow you to remain an observer. A lot is left unsaid and there is plenty of air to let the viewer think and feel the atmosphere the characters are in. The dialogues are uncomplicated and natural. I am well aware that this may not be everyone's cup of tea but for me it's a masterpiece of simplicity, written, directed, acted and edited exceptionally well.