Bendita Film Sales Acquires Lithuanian Locarno Competition Player ‘Toxic’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Bendita Film Sales has picked up international rights to Saulė Bliuvaitė’s debut feature “Toxic,” selected to screen in Locarno’s International Competition this summer. On the occasion of today’s Locarno lineup announcement, Bendita has given Variety exclusive access to the Lithuanian film’s first trailer, seen above.
Set in a grim industrial village, “Toxic” tells the story of 13-year-old Maria, who lives with her grandmother after being abandoned by her mother. During a violent interaction in the street, Maria meets Kristina, another girl her age who dreams of becoming a model. Hoping to get closer to Kristina, Maria enrolls in a mysterious and cult-like modeling school where young girls are preparing for the area’s biggest casting event.
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“As I myself grew up in a bleak industrial area, I was living with the thought of escaping – not just from my surroundings, but also from my body,” director Saulė Bliuvaitė said of the film’s origins. “I was very thin, trying to enroll in modeling agencies around my town, but I was constantly told some parts of my body were too big to fit the standard. I kept pursuing it, seeking validation in places where I couldn’t find any.
“This film is based on my own experiences as a 13-year-old girl and on the events that unfolded around me at that time. The core subject of this film is the human body. It explores the ways we relate to our bodies and deal with our imperfections,” she added.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Bendita Film Sales on the debut feature film ‘Toxic,'” producer Giedrė Burokaitė told Variety. “Their lineup is unique and distinctive, and their team has been incredibly professional and pleasant to work with, showing a discerning taste in quality cinema and a willingness to explore new ways of storytelling. We are honored to have “Toxic” included in their impressive lineup and are excited to partner with such a boutique sales agent that shares our passion for bold and auteur-driven films.”
Bendita’s Luis Renart added, “‘Toxic’ is a bold and dazzling debut—daring, evocative, striking, and profoundly touching. We are confident it will deeply resonate with a global audience and eagerly anticipate its presentation to industry professionals and buyers at the Official Selection of the Locarno Film Festival.”
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