PODCAST | Matt Micucci interviews Karolis Kaupinis, director of the film Nova Lituania.
An interview with director Karolis Kaupinis, whose feature directorial debut Nova Lituania had its world premiere in the East of the West competition of the 2019 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic. In this interview, he reveals some of the real events and real people that inspired both the story of the movie at the style with which it was brought to life. He also talks about Nova Lithuania’s take on masculinity, how his perception of history shapes the viewpoints of his stories and more.
Nova Lituania: 1938. A new war looms on the horizon. Geographer Gruodis comes up with a novel solution to the situation: he proposes creating a “backup Lithuania” overseas, a place where the country’s inhabitants could move in case of danger… Working with carefully composed black-and-white shots, debuting director Karolis Kaupinis has forged this original idea into the gripping drama of a man trying to save his homeland while facing the collapse of his marriage.
Oscar-winning actress Ellen Burstyn will receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival 2026, joining George Clooney among this year's recipients of the prestigious award.
Miroslav Terzić's 3 Weeks After, winner of the Europa Cinemas Label at Karlovy Vary Film Festival 2026: "It's not just about peer violence, but about a violent society, and we are all in it."
Tonia Mishiali's The Lion at My Back, winner of the Ecumenical Jury Grand Prize at Karlovy Vary 2026, is the second chapter of her trilogy on women living on the sidelines
Ivan Ostrochovský's Only Beautiful Things to Look At tackles forced sterilisation through magnificent visuals: "If the film visually goes against the topic, maybe it is scarier."