How to Divorce During the War

One day before Russia invades Ukraine in 2022, successful Lithuanian media producer Marija decides to tell her husband Vytas that she wants a divorce. Vytas was once a successful film director, but is now in an artistic crisis. As they navigate the divorce process and try to shield their ten-year-old daughter Dovilė from their adult problems, the devastating events outside begin to affect the whole family. Marija faces a work-related crisis caused by the invasion while trying to find herself again. Vytas tries to preserve his humanity and political views while moving back in with his pro-Russian parents, while Dovilė is confronted with issues far more adult than she should face at her age. Balancing family drama with political comedy, director Andrius Blaževičius creates a timely and intimate film about war, family and personal choices. After its premier at Sundance, where it won the Directing Award in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition, How to Divorce During War screened at festivals such as Göteborg Film Festival, Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and Hong Kong International Film Festival. After the screening, a short Q&A will follow with director Andrius Blaževičius about the film and its making proces (in English).

How to Divorce During the War is part of the program Private-Public-Political. With this label, the Noordelijk Film Festival sheds light on the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war and its impact on people’s lives in Ukraine, Russia and the wider region. ‘Private-Public-Political’ explores how geopolitical conflict shapes personal lives, relationships and everyday decisions, and how people’s lives have changed over the past ten years, and particularly since the full-scale invasion in 2022.