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World Cinema Dramatic Competition

How to Divorce During the War

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Lithuania/Luxembourg/Ireland/Czech Republic2026108 minLithuanian, English, Russian, Ukrainian
How to Divorce During the War

In Vilnius in 2022, Marija has a revelation that she wants to divorce her husband, Vytas, right before Russia invades Ukraine. Forced to confront their crumbling relationship, they navigate the process of divorce as it collides with the ongoing war.

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In Vilnius in 2022, Marija has a revelation that she wants to divorce her husband, Vytas, right before Russia invades Ukraine. Forced to confront their crumbling relationship, they navigate the process of divorce as it collides with the ongoing war.

Writer-director Andrius Blaževičius creates a sensitive and timely film that delicately inflects a compelling domestic drama with insight about the complicated experience of navigating daily life in an increasingly war-torn world.

Just as they are dissolving their union, Marija and Vytas find that many of the values on which they’ve built their safe and comfortable lives feel in danger of crumbling. They are forced to juggle their anger and fear over a war igniting on their doorstep; a desire for normalcy for themselves and their clear-eyed daughter, Dovile; and the need to be on the side of right. While focused on the separating couple’s precarious path forward, Blaževičius’ script also sharply illustrates the myriad ways the Russian invasion impacts the entire cast of complex, believable characters who cross into the film’s frame. — HZ

This film contains strobe effects.

Available in person. Also available online for the public (January 29–February 1) and credentialed press and industry (January 28–February 1).

World Cinema Dramatic CompetitionAll FeaturesInternationalNon-English LanguageDramaFictionEnglish SDH SubtitlesEnglish SubtitlesOpen CaptionPhotosensitivityU.S. Only- less

Credits

  • Director(s)

    Andrius Blaževičius

  • Screenwriter

    Andrius Blaževičius

  • Producer

    Marija Razgutė

  • Cinematographer

    Narvydas Naujalis LAC

  • Production Designer

    Greta Viliekytė

  • Editor

    Anna Ryndova

  • Composer

    Jakub Rataj

  • Co-Producers

    Vincent Quenault

    Jessie Fisk

    Jakub Kostal

  • Associate Producer

    Brigita Beniušytė

  • Principal Cast

    Marius Repšys

    Žygimantė Elena Jakštaitė

    Amelija Adomaitytė

    Indrė Patkauskaitė

    Gintarė Parulytė

Meet the Artist

Panelist Name

Andrius Blaževičius

    Andrius Blaževičius is a Lithuanian filmmaker whose debut, The Saint (2016), premiered at Warsaw and Busan, winning six national awards. His film, Runner (2021), premiered at Karlovy Vary, earned two awards, and highlighted actor Žygimantė Elena Jakštaitė as a European Shooting Star. His latest film, How to Divorce During the War, is premiering at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.

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