PARTHENON
Mantas Kvedaravičius
Crime Experimental Drama 119' (18+)
Lithuania Ukraine France Ukrainian Russian English Arabic Turkish with English Subs
Festivals IFFI GOA 2021, Palic FF, Molodist FF, Hisa Strpnosti FF 2020, L'Aquila FF, Scanorama FF, WP SIC Venezia FF 2019

In a derelict bordello at the foothills of an Athenian fortress, a man recounts the magnificent events of his life. In one of the stories, the man finds his riches, in another he becomes a vagabond prophet, in yet another he returns home to his wife. Memories betray him, but he knows for sure that in one of these lives, he will be killed.

Mantas Kvedaravičius (28 August 1976 – 2 April 2022)

was a Lithuanian filmmaker, anthropologist, and archaeologist.


Parthenon [+], is his sole narrative feature, which World premiered In-competition in 2019's edition of Venice International Film Critics' Week. His two previous documentary features, Barzakh (2011) and Mariupolis (2016), skillfully explored the themes of dreams and death, and art forms and warfare, respectively. On this occasion, Kvedaravičius chooses to focus his attention on body and memory, and his film is the result of ethnographic research that lasted three years, and which was conducted in Odessa, Istanbul and Athens. Those who are familiar with (and fond of) hybrid genres, ethnographic documentaries and contemplative cinema will find an enriching, unforgettable visual experience in Parthenon. Kvedaravičius' directorial choices are brave and commendable.


"Filmmakers of his kind guarantee the development of cinematic experimentation and remind us – rightfully – that there are plenty of unexplored narrative possibilities other than the ones offered by established fictional or non-fictional structures and formats" - Cineuropa