"Audrys" is a documentary about a cardinal with an extraordinary life story. He was born in independent Lithuania, to a family of diplomats. When he was two years old, his family was forced to leave the country because of the Soviet occupation. His values were shaped in France, in a free Europe where he spent his childhood and youth, and where he chose the path of a clergyman. He studied in Rome, worked in the Vatican, had a close friendship with Pope John Paul II, went on missions in different countries on different continents - all of it gave him unique experience and perception of the world. Nevertheless, he has never lost his love for the homeland too. He could return to Lithuania only after many years, when he was appointed Archbishop of Vilnius. However, challenges and difficulties awaited him in his fatherland: the Soviet society and the church which was separated from the outer world did not easily accept the visions and dreams of Audrys Juozas Bačkis, who was unaffected by the Soviet era: a free person, different than others and therefore often misunderstood. A man whose mission was to fundamentally change the Church in Lithuania in the upcoming new post-Soviet times. After gaining authority in Lithuania, he did not lose it in the West either: he is always welcomed as a spiritual leader in Paris and Rome, participates in the consistencies of cardinals, elections of a new Pope and, according to some sources, even was a candidate himself.
The filming locations were in Vilnius, Paris, Rome and Užpaliai. Viewers will be able to see not only the episodes from the cardinal’s life, but also get to know the people that surround him; Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, Bishops Sigitas Tamkevičius and Gintaras Grušas, Under-Secretary of the Pontifical Council at the Vatican Flaminia Giovanelli, brother Ričardas Bačkis, priest Kęstutis Dvareckas, childhood friends from Paris and others share their memories and stories about Audrys Juozas Bačkis.
Authors of the film in 2015 made the documentary “I Trust in You", which won the Audience Award at the “Silver Crane” Awards. In 2016, the film was nominated among the three best Christian films in the world at the “Mirabile Dictu” festival in Rome.
Directed by ALEKSAS MATVEJEVAS
Screenplay by INGRIDA LAIMUTYTĖ
Camera by HAROLDAS KLEVINSKAS
Music by JULIUS AGLINSKAS
Edited by ALEKSAS MATVEJEVAS
Participants:
Audrys Juozas Bačkis, Valdas Adamkus, Flaminia Giovanelli, Jean Michel Dhavernas, Beatrice Dhavernas,, Gintaras Grušas, Sigitas Tamkevičius, Aldona Dalgėdaitė, Stasys Žilys, Rolandas Makrickas, Kęstutis Dvareckas, Paulius Subačius, Sigita Maslauskaitė Mažylienė, Mozė Mitkevičius, Andžej Šuškievič, Rimvydas Bačkis, Claire Bačkis and others.
Color
Runtime: 57'43''
"Vilniaus medija" © 2017