Runner (2021 film)

Runner
LithuanianBėgikė
Directed byAndrius Blaževičius
Screenplay by
Marija Kavtaradzė
Produced by
Marija Razgutė
  • Jakub Kostal
  • Vratislav Slajer
  • Brigita Beniušytė
Starring
Žygimantė Elena Jakštaitė
CinematographyNarvydas Naujalis
Edited byIeva Veiverytė
Music byJakub Rataj
Production
company
M-Films
  • Bionaut
Distributed byAlief
Release dates
  • 21 August 2021 (2021-08-21) (Czech Republic)
  • November 2021 (2021-11) (Lithuania)
Running time
87 minutes
CountryLithuania
LanguageLithuanian

Runner (Lithuanian: Bėgikė) is a Lithuanian film written and directed by Andrius Blaževičius, released in 2021.

This dramatic thriller explores the themes of self-sacrifice, love, and toxic relationships, realistically portraying 24 hours of a toxic relationship, which eventually contaminates the entire city of Vilnius, Lithuania, all within a chaotic and frenzied chase.[1]

Plot

After her boyfriend Vytas (played by Marius Repšys) experiences a psychotic episode and disappears, Maria (portrayed by Žygimantė Elena Jakštaitė) is determined to find and help him. Chasing every clue about his whereabouts, she embarks on a fast-paced odyssey through the city. Always one step behind and against all odds, she fights for both, her love and her freedom.

Cast

  • Žygimantė Elena Jakštaitė as Marija
  • Marius Repšys as Vytas
  • Laima Akstinaitė as Ona
  • Vytautas Kaniušonis as Marija's Father
  • Viktorija Kuodytė as Marija's Mother
  • Valentinas Krulikovskis as Petras
  • Emilis Aškelovičius as Pranas
  • Lukas Malinauskas as Jonas
  • Indrė Patkauskaitė as Jūratė

Production

Runner is the second feature film by Andrius Blaževičius, marking his second collaboration with producer Marija Razgutė (M-Films) after The Saint in 2016.[2]

Formerly titled Paralysis, Runner was produced by M-Films (Lithuania) in co-production with Bionaut (Czech Republic). The film was financed by the Lithuanian Film Centre during the scriptwriting, development, and production stages, as well as through tax incentives.[3]

Filming took place in Lithuania in the city of Vilnius during the summer of 2019.[4]

Reception

The film was generally well received by critics. It garnered 67% positive reviews based on 390 reviews collected, on the website IMDb and 3.4/5 stars for 350 votes on the website Letterboxd.[5][6]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipients Result
Crossing Europe Film Festival 2022[7] 2022 Best Films Andrius Blaževičius Selected
National Lithuanian Film Awards 2022 (Silver Crane)[8] 2022 Best Actress Žygimantė Elena Jakštaitė Won
2022 Best Supporting Actress Laime Akstinaitė Won
2022 Best Actor Marius Repšys Nominated
2022 Best Film Andrius Blaževičius Nominated
2022 Best Director Andrius Blaževičius Nominated
2022 Best Screenplay
Marija Kavtaradzė
Nominated
2022 Best Cinematography Narvydas Naujalis Nominated
2022 Best Editing Ieva Veiverytė Nominated
2022 Best Sound Martin Ožvold Nominated
2022 Best Makeup Jurgita Globytė Nominated
2022 Best Art Direction Justė Kalnietytė Nominated
2022 Best Costume Fausta Naujalė Nominated
2022 Audience Award Andrius Blaževičius Selected
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 2021[9] 2021 Best Film - Baltic Competicion Andrius Blaževičius Won
Riga International Film Festival 2021[10] 2021 Best Film, International competition Andrius Blaževičius Won
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2021[11] 2021 Best Film, International competition Andrius Blaževičius Selected

References

  1. ^ "RUNNER". www.en.northernlightsff.com. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  2. ^ Boyce, Laurence (20 August 2021). "Karlovy Vary 2021: Andrius Blaževičius talks love and freedom in 'Runner'". Screen. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Presskit du Festival du Film International de Karlovy Vary".
  4. ^ F. N. E. Staff. "FESTIVALS: Runner by Andrius Blaževičius Screens at 2021 Scanorama - FilmNewEurope.com". www.filmneweurope.com. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  5. ^ Runner (2021), retrieved 7 September 2023
  6. ^ Runner (2021) - Ratings - IMDb, retrieved 7 September 2023
  7. ^ "Bėgikė | Crossing Europe". www.crossingeurope.at. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  8. ^ "Lithuanian Film Awards (2022)". IMDb. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  9. ^ admin. "RUNNER". LTKinoGoesBerlin. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  10. ^ Abbatescianni, Davide (25 October 2021). "Andrius Blaževičius' Runner wins the Riga International Film Festival". Cineuropa. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  11. ^ "Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (2021)". IMDb. Retrieved 7 September 2023.


  • Runner, programmed at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (with press kit)
  • Runner - Baltic Film Festival teaser on YouTube (video, Lithuanian)
  • IMDB