Cinema for me is…
Marija in 11 frames
1. What film made you fall in love with cinema?
I will cheat and say that I truly fell in love with cinema when I started volunteering at the Vilnius International Film Festival “Kino Pavasaris”. Immersing myself in the festival, watching 2-3 movies every single day and discovering arthouse and independent films was a very special experience.
2. What are the 3 best European films you have seen in the last year?
Goodbye Jerome! (Adam Sillard, Gabrielle Selnet, Chloé Farr, FR, 2022)
The Eight Mountains (Felix Van Groeningen & Charlotte Vandermeersch, BE, 2022)
Aftersun (Charlotte Wells, GB, 2022)
3. What does Europe mean to you?
For me, Europe means being connected. It’s amazing how we all have our individual differences, but there are underlying connections and similarities, especially among the younger generation.
4. In 2024, I think it is important to vote in the European elections because:
It’s important because if we want to see changes, we need to be involved in them.
5. What do you like the most about your country that makes it unique?
People in Lithuania are quite fond of melancholia. For us, it’s a normal state of mind, we make friends with it, and we end up liking the feeling of occasional sadness. Additionally, Lithuania has incredible spots to enjoy nature, so even if you are born in the city, you appreciate leaving everything behind once in a while to be by yourself in nature.
6. Your favorite film theatre? What do you like about it?
Skalvija film theatre in Vilnius. I always love coming back there, and its community is incredible.
7. What is your dream job in the film industry?
In the film industry, I’d love to continue working in the Communication field, making sure the right movies reach the right audience! If we’re talking dream jobs, my heart belongs to film festivals.
8. Which film director would you like to be?
I’d love to be Marija Kavtaradze. I appreciate the topics she explores in her films, and the vulnerability of her characters and the stories. I cannot wait to see her sophomore feature film Slow.
9. Which film character do you most identify with?
There are no specific characters that instantly come to my mind, but I often find myself feeling most connected with characters who are in the search for their self-identity, and true meaning. I guess it comes along with being in your twenties and trying to figure life out.
10. Your favorite soundtrack or song?
Not a soundtrack, nor a song, but I am obsessed with Connect w/ Coline Cornélis b2b NMSS @ Kiosk Radio.
11. If you had to live in a movie, which one would you like it to be?
I would love to experience Oslo the way it’s depicted in The Worst Person in the World (Joachim Trier, NO, 2021).
Marija Mireckaitė is the Ambassador of Skalvijos Kino Centras . Find out more about the cinema here.
