HOW TO DIVORCE DURING THE WAR wins Best Director at the Sundance Film Festival
The Fonds national de soutien à la production audiovisuelle is pleased to announce that Luxembourg co-production HOW TO DIVORCE DURING THE WAR, directed by Andrius Blaževičius, won this evening's Prize for best direction at the Sundance in Park City, in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition section.
Co-produced in Luxembourg by Red Lion (Vincent Quénault and Jeanne Geiben), with Lithuania, Ireland and the Czech Republic, the film is the third feature by the Lithuanian director, already renowned for The Saint and Runner.
HOW TO DIVORCE DURING THE WAR brings together an international production team including Luxembourgers Adelisa Pjanic (Art Director), Céline Bodson (Production Sound Mixer), Nicolas Tran Trong (Sound Editor), Loïc Collignon (Re-recording Mixer), Ulysse Charlier (Key Grip) and Vitalijus Kiselius (Gaffer). The Luxembourg actress Gintare Parulyte plays the role of Ona.
Synopsis:
Vilnius, 2022. A dynamic executive, Marija chooses the worst possible moment to have an honest conversation with her husband, Vytas, about their divorce: the very eve of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The couple find themselves forced to go through a separation that collides with a refugee crisis and a mid-life crisis.
In this, his third feature film, the Lithuanian director wanted to evoke polarisation, radicalisation and a growing reluctance to give up individual comfort for collective responsibility - themes that resonate deeply with Europe today.
The first major event of the year for independent cinema, the Sundance Film Festival provided a major international showcase for the film.
“This award once again confirms the artistic excellence of the co-productions supported by Luxembourg, and demonstrates the value of bold audiovisual projects developed with countries outside the usual co-production networks», says Guy Daleiden, Director of the National Fund to Support Audiovisual Production.
The 2026 edition of the Sundance Festival was the last to be held in Park City; from 2027, the event will move to Boulder, Colorado.
