A fresh take on coming-of-age: ‘Toxic’ at Locarno Film Festival

A new voice in cinema

Emerging from the vibrant landscape of Lithuanian cinema, writer-director Saulė Bliuvaitė’s debut feature, “Toxic”, is making waves at the Locarno Film Festival. This hard-hitting coming-of-age story delves into the lives of two 13-year-old girls navigating the complexities of their bodies and identities during a sweltering summer in Lithuania.

The protagonists’ journey

Marija (Vesta Matulytė) and Kristina (Ieva Rupeikaitė) are two young girls who form a bond as they aspire to join a modeling school, seeking an escape from their mundane reality. The film captures their journey with a raw and unfiltered lens, avoiding the typical clichés of the genre.

A personal reflection

Reflecting on her own experiences, Bliuvaitė shares, “When I was 13, it was very popular for very young teenage girls to try and enroll in modeling agencies. Girls from the Baltic countries were highly sought after for their pale skin and thin figures. I remember standing in long lines at the mall, feeling like we were all part of a girl factory.”

Bliuvaitė’s personal anecdotes add depth to the narrative. “I was actually enrolled in a modeling agency at 14. I remember a lady measuring me and drawing lines on my body, indicating where I needed to lose weight. My mother was bewildered, wondering where these ‘big parts’ were. Looking back, it was a harsh experience for a young girl.”

Inspiration and casting

Part of the film’s inspiration came from a 2011 documentary that explored similar themes. “Watching that film reminded me of the castings I participated in,” Bliuvaitė recalls.

Casting the female leads was a meticulous process. “We met with many girls over two years. These casting sessions were low-key, more about gathering information and engaging in conversations. The girls shared their experiences, which I incorporated into the script. We also conducted workshops and acting games to make the casting process enjoyable.”

A unique cinematic approach

While the story is rooted in social realism, “Toxic” stands apart from traditional naturalistic films. “I wanted to move away from the typical coming-of-age, teenage film where the camera is in your face, following the characters’ emotions. I aimed to make the film about the environment and the places where the story unfolds. There are also scary elements, like maggots, to convey the uncharted territory and fears teenagers face.”

The horror of growing up

Bliuvaitė emphasizes the physical changes teenagers undergo. “I wanted to make the film very fleshy, to make the audience feel the flesh through the screen. The scenes depict deep situations connected to the body, like getting a tongue piercing or touching a body part for the first time. There’s a weirdness and ugliness to it, but also a lot of mystery.”

Production and accolades

“Toxic” is produced by the Lithuanian independent studio Akis Bado, founded by Giedre Burokaritè and Robertas Nevecka. The studio is known for its award-winning animated shorts, “Snow Shelter” (2020) and “Mora Mora” (2021). The film received support from the Lithuanian Film Center and Lithuanian National Radio and Television, and it won the Work in Progress Award at Meeting Point Vilnius 2024.

Explore more

For those intrigued by this compelling narrative, you can watch the trailer for Toxic and delve deeper into the world Bliuvaitė has crafted.

“Toxic” is not just a film; it’s a visceral experience that captures the tumultuous journey of adolescence. Bliuvaitė’s debut feature is a testament to the power of personal storytelling and the universal challenges of growing up.