Drowning Dry by Laurynas Bareiša named Lithuania's Contender in the Oscar Race

The committee approved by the US Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Lithuania, which selects the nominated movie for the Oscars, has decided that Laurynas Bareiša’s film Drowning Dry (prod. Klementina Remeikaitė, Matiss Kaža) will be submitted for the prestigious award. 

Bareiša’s sophomore film has recently won two awards at the Locarno Film Festival. Drowning Dry is the director’s second film to be nominated as Lithuania’s entry for the Oscars.

According to Neringa Kažukauskaitė, chairwoman of the Lithuanian Oscar selection committee, Drowning Dry was selected for its original direction, unique storytelling, bold creative exploration, and excellent ensemble cast. ‘The film further solidifies the belief that high-quality auteur cinema in Lithuania is thriving and valued worldwide, successfully competing in prestigious festivals and competitions,’ says N. Kažukauskaitė.

Drowning Dry unfolds on a hot summer day, where two couples—Justė with her family and Ernesta with her son and husband—arrive at a countryside home for a peaceful weekend. While everything seems normal, underlying tensions of jealousy and competition soon surface, turning the weekend in an unexpected direction.

At the recently passed Locarno Film Festival, Drowning Dry won an award Best Direction, and the cast—Gelminė Glemžaitė, Agnė Kaktaitė, Giedrius Kiela, and Paulius Markevičius—was recognized for Best Acting.

Laimonas Ubavičius, the CEO of the Lithuanian Film Centre, expresses pride in the growing international recognition of Lithuanian cinema. ‘Drowning Dry reflects current trends in Lithuanian cinema and represents the highest level of creative excellence on the international stage, making it a truly deserving candidate for the Oscars’, claims L. Ubavičius. 

Following its selection in Lithuania, Drowning Dry will be evaluated by other Academy committees who will choose five finalists from around the world, with only one winning the Oscar.

In 2023 Lithuania’s Oscar nominee was Marija Kavtaradze film’s Slow, and in 2022 the choice was Laurynas Bareiša’s debut feature film Pilgrims.

The Oscar selection process is organised by the Lithuanian Film Centre and the Lithuanian Filmmakers Union.

About the Evaluation Committee

This year’s Oscar committee members in Lithuania, delegated by the Lithuanian Filmmakers Union, include Neringa Kažukauskaitė (chairwoman) – film critic, Rasa Samuolytė – actress, Ignas Miškinis – director, Marija Razgutė – producer, and Algimantas Puipa – director.