RUNNER

In his second film, Lithuanian director Andrius Blaževičius explores the subjects of love and freedom since, as he puts it, "I'm interested in a person's free will and choice to sacrifice their freedom for something extremely important to them." Blaževičius has created an immensely dynamic drama, set over the course of 24 hours, in which formal elements such as a shaky camera and an unsettling soundtrack significantly add to the main protagonist's emotional state. Marija is played with vital energy by Žygimantė Elena Jakštaitė, who was chosen for the prestigious European Film Promotion's Shooting Stars program at this year's Berlinale.
- Lenka Tyrpáková, Karlovy Vary Film Festival

"A Punchy, Panic-Attack Drama About a Different Kind of Love on the Run"
- Jessica Kiang, Karlovy Vary Review (Variety)

"A kinetic, pummeling experience"
- Neil Young, Karlovy Vary Review (Screen)

"A breathless examination of the limits of love, freedom and sacrifice"
- Laurence Boyce, Karlovy Vary Review (Cineuropa)

"Jakstaite's breakthrough performance as Marija is certainly the stuff of awards, harking back to the spectacular emergence of Jennifer Lawrence." - Neil Young, Film Critic


Director: Andrius Blaževičius, Scriptwriters: Marija Kavtaradzė, Teklė Kavtaradzė, Andrius Blaževičius, Cinematographer: Narvydas Naujalis, Production designer: Aurimas Akšys, Sound designers: Martin Ožvold, Lukáš Moudrý, Kryštof Blabla, Producer: Marija Razgutė (M-Films),Co-producers: Vratislav Šlajer, Jakub Košťál (Bionaut)