Lithuania will direct the Latvian co-production film “Leap” to Oscar / Article

Documentary by Lithuanian director Giedrė ŽickytėLeap”(“ Šuolis ”) was selected as a Lithuanian nominee for the“ Oscar ”award in the category“ Best Foreign Film ”, as well as in the documentary film category, reports the Lithuanian social media portal LRT. –

The film tells the story of Lithuanian sailor Simas Kudirka, who in 1970, desperate to escape from the USSR, jumped from a Soviet ship into an American coast guard boat.

Thank you to the jury for rating Leap. The theme of freedom has always been important to me, and Sima’s bold leap, which alarmed and united thousands of people on both sides of the Atlantic during the Cold War, inspired me to tell this story, “said Žickīte.” It shows that everyone and every action is important and meaningful that the desire for freedom cannot be destroyed, even in the darkest times. “

The film was chosen by a jury from Lithuania, which was approved by the American Film Academy.

“It is a masterfully made documentary about the unusual courage of an ordinary person.

It is undoubtedly one of the most stunning films of recent times in Lithuanian cinema, ”said the chairman of the jury Linas Mikuta.

The film is produced by director Giedre Žickīte (Moonmakers, Lithuania), Uldis Cekulis from VFS Films and Katrīna Simeona (Faites un vœu, France) in collaboration with Daniel Chalfen (Naked Edge Films, USA). On the Latvian side, cameraman Valdis Celmiņš, sound cameraman Arvīds Ceļmalis, camera assistant Miks Ramāns, color corrector Krišs Roziņš participated in the film team.

The Academy will select five films from national entries that will compete for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. 94. The Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 27 next year.

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