Drowning Dry

This time-shuffling, doom-laden drama from ND/NF veteran Laurynas Bareiša is compelling from first moment to last—and never quite what it seems. It starts with a kick to the head. Mixed martial arts competitor Lukas has just handily defeated his opponent and celebrates with his wife, child, and friends backstage, setting the scene for a nimble combination of communal bonding and looming horrors. Writer-director Laurynas Bareiša takes us on a non-linear journey through the experiences and recollections of those who survived tragedy (and those who didn’t), shot with unceasing patience and formal rigor. Drowning Dry was the second of Bareiša’s films selected as Lithuania’s entry for the Best International Feature Academy Award in 2025. Winner of Locarno’s Best Director and, in recognition of its indispensable ensemble of four, Best Performance awards.

Part of Bareiša x 2.

Co-presented by SF Lithuanian American Community.