Baltic Event Co-Production Market
Flood
It's a scorching summer on a secluded island. In the midst of their vacation, the couple hears a rumour about an impending flood. Fear and anxiety, combined with local mystic rituals, make it hard to maintain a harmonious relationship.
Summer on a secluded island. While renovating their newly bought summerhouse, a couple hears a rumour about an upcoming flood. There is no scientific evidence for these predictions, but the locals take the matter very seriously. Backed by local magical rituals forecasting the flood, the behaviour of the villagers changes. The mood becomes sour, and people start to flee their houses, leaving everything behind. Since the villagers do not speak any common language, it is hard to figure out what is truly going on. Seeing all that fear and unease begin to take over the woman’s heart. She tries to convince her partner to leave their new home, but the man does not believe in any threat. Trust between the couple starts to crumble, and maintaining a harmonious relationship becomes increasingly challenging.
Keywords: environment
Director's note:
The main theme of this story is fear—fear of an upcoming disaster that cannot be proven, and fear of commitment. In both cases, it is a fear of change and losing control, rooted in mistrust of oneself and others. Two years ago, I had a discussion with my family about whether to quit our jobs and leave home because of an upcoming war. There were different opinions on what was going to happen, leading to a serious conflict. Although the political atmosphere has since thickened, we forgot about the argument. However, the insecurity from our inability to share a similar perspective remained. I became curious about how one's interpretation of their surroundings can affect the connection and trust between a couple and the reasons for differences in beliefs. With this project, I aim to explore the dynamics of love and trust in the face of a threat.
Producer's note:
The topic of the "Flood" – this existential fear of the unknown, which is an allegory of the current environmental, political, and humanist crisis, is relevant and ambitious. Another important subtopic – the disinformation that reaches postmodern people and the difficulties in choosing what is real and what is fake – will resonate with international audiences. We plan to create a Baltic-Nordic film with international appeal - filming part of the film on a Scandinavian island. By the end of 2024, we will complete the second script draft. The film was included in the "Smart Casual" Media program's "SLATE" application in Autumn. We also intend to involve potential co-producers in the early stages because their involvement during the development would naturally and organically connect creators or actors, thereby enhancing the film's potential in the international market. In 2025, we will apply to the Lithuanian Film Center for production funding and film at the end of summer 2026.
About: Smart Casual, founded by producers Rüta Petronytė and Justinas Pocius, is a film production company that values both meticulousness and spontaneity. They embrace diverse ideas and genres, prioritizing substance and integrity while serving as trusted partners for creators.