THE GAMBLER
Directed by Ignas Jonynas
PLOT
Vincentas, the best employee at the emergency services station, has a passion for gambling in different games. Whenever he faces difficulties, the medic is forced to make radical decisions to repay the debts. An idea strikes Vincentas to create an illegal game related to his profession. Financial matters keep improving, but Vincentas is going to make a fateful choice. Love, life and death will be at stake.
TRAILER
I am an editor of this full feature drama movie from acclaimed Lithuanian director Ignas Jonynas which premiered at San Sebastian Film Festival in 2013 and was an Oscar entry of Lithuania in 2015.
OFFICIAL SCREENINGS 2013-2014:
61st San Sebasian Film Festival (New Directors)
29th Warsaw Film Festival (International Competition, Special Jury Award)
6th Cineast Film Festival in Luxenburg (Official Competition)
44th International Film Festival of India, Goa (International Competition)
62nd International Film Festival of Mannheim-Heidelberg (International Discoveries)
10th Black Nights Film Festival in Tallinn (Tridens Competition)
13th International Fim Festival of Marrakech (Main Competition)
12th Pune International Film Festival, India (International Competition)
25th Trieste Film Festival (Feature Film Competition)
29th Santa Barbara International Film Festival (International Competition)
9th Jameson Dublin International Film Festival (Official Selection)
29th International Film Festival of Guadalajara, Mexico (New Europe Tendencies)
21st Fabiofest - International Film Festival of Prague, Czech Republic (Northern Lights)
20th Kino Pavasaris - International Film Festival of Vilnius, Lithuania (New Europe - New Names)
9th L’Europe Autour de l’Europe - Arthouse Film Festival of Paris, France (Prix Sauvage Competition, Special Jury Award and Prix Luna for Best Film)
4th Beijing International Film Festival, China (The Forward Future)
11th Crossing Europe - Film Festival of Linz, Austria (European Panorama Fiction)
30th Festroia International Film Festival of Setúbal (Silver Dolphins for Best Script and Best Actor)
14th East End Film Festival, London (Feature Films)
5th Odessa Film Festival (OIFF Digital)
21st European Film Festival Palic, Serbia (Parallels and Encounters)
27th European Union Film Showcase, Washington, DC
Academy Awards Screenings, Los Angeles
REVIEWS
INTERNATIONAL TRAILER
Swedish and Danish film critic, author of the book about Lars von Trier, Jan Lumholdt, praises “The Gambler” for significant contribution to changing the face of Northern European cinema. “Superb acting, good selection of locations and cinematography leads me to believe that like all Welsh are able to sing, and all Brazilians – to play football, so every Lithuanian has excellent knowledge of photography. In addition, it’s touching to see Mekas’ daughter continuing the family tradition. This exciting, sometimes sad, sometimes truly funny film features exceptional attention to detail. Background for its original idea arises from both modern and archaic national circumstances. I also see some perverted humour in the film, which, although associated with Eastern European eccentricity does not seem so alien to the Scandinavian [humour]. I look forward to the future works of these Lithuanians, which will be a significant contribution to the Northern European cinema.”
More information about the movie on The Gambler official website and Facebook
LITHUANIAN FILM INDUSTRY AWARDS 2014
NOMINATIONS & WINS AT LFIA 2014
Best Director - Ignas Jonynas (WIN)
Best Feature Movie - The Gambler (WIN)
Best Actress - Oona Mekas (NOMINATED)
Best Actor - Vytautas Kaniušonis (WIN)
Best Script - Kristupas Sabolius & Ignas Jonynas (NOMINATED)
Best Director of Photography - Janis Eglitis (NOMINATED)
Best Sound Design - Artūras Pugačiauskas (WIN)
Best Editing - Stasys Žak (NOMINATED)
Best Production Designer - Nerijus Narmuntas (WIN)
Best Music Score - Paulius Kilbauskas & Domas Strupinskas (WIN)