In Passing
For more than a decade, Artūras Morozovas has been photographing people in vulnerable situations – people affected by the war in Ukraine, as well as people experiencing social isolation in Lithuania. He is exploring social problems that the soviet regime has done to both countries. In the film, we meet Rita, a mother of three children who lost her husband to suicide and has a disability; Danutė, who lives alone in the forests; soldiers Lisa and Jaška, brutally murdered by the Russians, as well as Ivan, whose home was recently destroyed by a bomb. Despite Artūras desire to remain impartial and objective, a close bond forms between the photographer and his characters, so the film is about the miracle of human connection and hope.
Naples, Florida
In 1997, the author’s family illegally emigrates to Florida, in search of a better life. They settle in a small apartment, celebrate their first Christmas, and soon the mother starts working as a housekeeper. As the mother juggles three jobs to outrun their debt, the distance between her and her family grows, eventually leading to a psychological breakdown and hospitalisation. Decades later, as she approaches the age her mother was then, the filmmaker hopes to find answers in archival material and in conversations with her mother today.
RITA
Rita (37) is a mother of three living in social housing in
Švenčionėliai, Lithuania. Born with cerebral palsy and
raised in poverty and violence, she has spent her life
overcoming hardship. After her husband's suicide, Rita
is left to raise her children alone: her daughter Gabrielė
(15) has dropped out of school, while her sons Dovydas
(13) and Arnas (10) spend most of their time on the
streets. Seeking stability, Rita enters a relationship with
Voldemaras (37), a man imprisoned for murder and
released on weekends. As the relationship becomes
unsafe for her children, she makes the difficult decision
to leave him and rebuild her family. Determined to
change her life, Rita begins studying social work. Despite
setbacks, she holds on to hope — believing she can break
the cycle of poverty and create a safer, more stable future
for her children.
Švenčionėliai, Lithuania. Born with cerebral palsy and
raised in poverty and violence, she has spent her life
overcoming hardship. After her husband's suicide, Rita
is left to raise her children alone: her daughter Gabrielė
(15) has dropped out of school, while her sons Dovydas
(13) and Arnas (10) spend most of their time on the
streets. Seeking stability, Rita enters a relationship with
Voldemaras (37), a man imprisoned for murder and
released on weekends. As the relationship becomes
unsafe for her children, she makes the difficult decision
to leave him and rebuild her family. Determined to
change her life, Rita begins studying social work. Despite
setbacks, she holds on to hope — believing she can break
the cycle of poverty and create a safer, more stable future
for her children.