SLOW
In-Person Screenings: Saturday, November 11, 8:15 pm
Director Marija Kavtaradze will present a Q&A following the screening.
SLOW ( Tu man nieko neprimeni )
Marija Kavtaradze, Lithuania/Spain/Sweden, 2023
108 minutes, In Lithuanian with English subtitles
New York Premiere
In this poignant and visually captivating film by Marija Kavtaradze, contemporary dancer Elena, portrayed by the remarkable Greta Grinevičiūtė, crosses paths with Dovydas, a sign language interpreter, sensitively played by Kęstutis Cicėnas. Their immediate connection is both magnetic and effortless. As they slowly get to know one another, their relationship transitions from platonic to romantic, marked by an unwavering commitment to respecting each other's unique needs. When Dovydas confides in Elena about being asexual, their journey becomes an exploration of sacrifice, compromise, and the boundaries of generosity within a relationship.
Kavtaradze's sophomore feature showcases her mastery of telling an intimate story, evoking dance, profound silence, and an unflinching portrayal of asexuality to underscore the limitations of physicality in expressing closeness. Grinevičiūtė and Cicėnas deliver mesmerizing performances and undeniable chemistry. Slow not only rekindles the timeless theme of love but also subtly introduces the underrepresented subject of asexuality. Kavtaradze's film weaves a delicate and peaceful narrative that firmly establishes her as a director with a distinct voice, challenging the ordinary with extraordinary storytelling.
Festival History
Sundance 2023 (Winner - World Cinema Dramatic: Directing Award)
Karlovy Vary 2023
Istanbul Film Festival 2023
Sydney Film Festival 2023
Galway Film Fleadh 2023
BFI London Film Festival 2023
Director bio:
Born in 1991, film director and scriptwriter Marija Kavtaradze graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, Film Directing studies in 2014. Kavtaradze’s debut film Summer Survivors premiered at Toronto IFF in 2018 and screened at NYBFF 2019, among many other festivals. Summer Survivors was a domestic box office success and was the highest grossing independently made Lithuanian film in 2019. It went on to receive three Lithuanian Film Academy awards. Kavtaradze followed this success up with her feature Slow, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival World Cinema Dramatic Competition program in January 2023 where Kavtaradze won the Directing Award: World Cinema Dramatic.