Loss (film)
Encyclopedia
Loss is a 2008 film directed, co-written and co-produced by Latvian
film director Maris Martinsons
. In October 2008, it was announced that the film was Lithuania's submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in the 81st Academy Awards, becoming the first Lithuanian feature film
ever to be submitted for the Academy Awards
.
, where it was awarded with 2 Jin Jue (Golden Goblet) awards: Best Director for Maris Martinsons
and Best Music for Andrius Mamontovas
. It is the first Lithuanian feature film to be screened in the competition of A class festival and awarded prestigious prizes.
2009 "Loss" was awarded with the Latvian Film Prize for the BEST FILM.
) in Ireland who meets a woman Valda (starring Valda Bičkutė) from his native Lithuania only to find out her mysterious identity is closely connected with a darkest secret of his past.
Desperate for a better life Valda left Lithuania for Ireland, hoping to find a new purpose in life but failed to fulfill a promise to come back she made to her son. Now a boy is adopted by Nora (starring Dalia Michelevičiūtė), a childless ex-wife of the desperate businessman Ben (starring Kostas Smoriginas) whose life is falling from his hands. Caught in a struggle with her husband’s mistress Laima (starring Daiva Tamošiūnaitė-Budrė) she must fight not only for her company but also for the custody of a child who now is her only hope in life.
According to Variety
magazine film critic Eddie Cockrell, the satisfying Lithuanian drama was inspired by Six Degrees of Separation
and Dostoevsky’s line “the tears of that one tortured child”. Loss delves into the harsh realities of six people’s lives whose destinies are brought together after a tragic accident that happened over two decades ago.
. The camera's swift movements follow the heroes of the film creating a feeling of closeness to the film’s characters and allowing the audience to permeate into their hearts. To deepen the feelings even more, the director decided to shoot the film on a 16 mm film
so that during its transfer onto 35 mm the display became grainy, intentionally contributing a special kind of atmosphere to the film. The haunting music score is reminiscent of Irish folk rhythms.
town, Powerscourt Waterfall
, etc.
Latvians
Latvians or Letts are the indigenous Baltic people of Latvia.-History:Latvians occasionally refer to themselves by the ancient name of Latvji, which may have originated from the word Latve which is a name of the river that presumably flowed through what is now eastern Latvia...
film director Maris Martinsons
Maris Martinsons (director)
For the Latvian-Canadian professor of management, business research director and international business consultant, please see Maris Martinsons.Maris Martinsons is a Latvian film director, producer and screenwriter...
. In October 2008, it was announced that the film was Lithuania's submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in the 81st Academy Awards, becoming the first Lithuanian feature film
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
ever to be submitted for the Academy Awards
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
.
Awards
International premiere of Loss was held in 2008 Shanghai International Film Festival2008 Shanghai International Film Festival
The 2008 Shanghai International Film Festival is the 11th such festival devoted to international cinema to be held in Shanghai, China. It was held from June 14–22 , 2008...
, where it was awarded with 2 Jin Jue (Golden Goblet) awards: Best Director for Maris Martinsons
Maris Martinsons (director)
For the Latvian-Canadian professor of management, business research director and international business consultant, please see Maris Martinsons.Maris Martinsons is a Latvian film director, producer and screenwriter...
and Best Music for Andrius Mamontovas
Andrius Mamontovas
Andrius Mamontovas is a Lithuanian rock musician, songwriter, actor, performer and record producer. He was one of the co-founders of the Lithuanian rock band Foje . He is also one of the masterminds of the LT United project.-Personal life:His father was Russian and mother Lithuanian...
. It is the first Lithuanian feature film to be screened in the competition of A class festival and awarded prestigious prizes.
2009 "Loss" was awarded with the Latvian Film Prize for the BEST FILM.
Synopsis
Loss is a story about a Priest (starring Andrius MamontovasAndrius Mamontovas
Andrius Mamontovas is a Lithuanian rock musician, songwriter, actor, performer and record producer. He was one of the co-founders of the Lithuanian rock band Foje . He is also one of the masterminds of the LT United project.-Personal life:His father was Russian and mother Lithuanian...
) in Ireland who meets a woman Valda (starring Valda Bičkutė) from his native Lithuania only to find out her mysterious identity is closely connected with a darkest secret of his past.
Desperate for a better life Valda left Lithuania for Ireland, hoping to find a new purpose in life but failed to fulfill a promise to come back she made to her son. Now a boy is adopted by Nora (starring Dalia Michelevičiūtė), a childless ex-wife of the desperate businessman Ben (starring Kostas Smoriginas) whose life is falling from his hands. Caught in a struggle with her husband’s mistress Laima (starring Daiva Tamošiūnaitė-Budrė) she must fight not only for her company but also for the custody of a child who now is her only hope in life.
According to Variety
Variety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
magazine film critic Eddie Cockrell, the satisfying Lithuanian drama was inspired by Six Degrees of Separation
Six Degrees of Separation (film)
Six Degrees of Separation is a 1990 play written by John Guare that premiered at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater, Lincoln Center on May 16, 1990, directed by Jerry Zaks and starring Stockard Channing...
and Dostoevsky’s line “the tears of that one tortured child”. Loss delves into the harsh realities of six people’s lives whose destinies are brought together after a tragic accident that happened over two decades ago.
Style
The film is shot entirely on a hand-held cameraHand-held camera
Hand-held camera or hand-held shooting is a filmmaking and video production technique in which a camera is held in the camera operator's hands as opposed to being mounted on a tripod or other base. Hand-held cameras are used because they are conveniently sized for travel and because they allow...
. The camera's swift movements follow the heroes of the film creating a feeling of closeness to the film’s characters and allowing the audience to permeate into their hearts. To deepen the feelings even more, the director decided to shoot the film on a 16 mm film
16 mm film
16 mm film refers to a popular, economical gauge of film used for motion pictures and non-theatrical film making. 16 mm refers to the width of the film...
so that during its transfer onto 35 mm the display became grainy, intentionally contributing a special kind of atmosphere to the film. The haunting music score is reminiscent of Irish folk rhythms.
Production
Loss has been shot in Lithuania and Ireland. The exterior scenes were shot in WicklowWicklow
Wicklow) is the county town of County Wicklow in Ireland. Located south of Dublin on the east coast of the island, it has a population of 10,070 according to the 2006 census. The town is situated to the east of the N11 route between Dublin and Wexford. Wicklow is also connected to the rail...
town, Powerscourt Waterfall
Powerscourt Waterfall
Powerscourt Waterfall is a waterfall near Enniskerry, County Wicklow, in Ireland, located in a valley surrounded by Djouce Mountain and the Great Sugar Loaf...
, etc.