REMEMBER TO BLINK

Embedded in the idyllic surroundings of life in the French countryside, Austėja Urbaitė presents a multi-faceted family drama in her feature-film debut. As part of their plans to adopt a pair of Lithuanian siblings, husband and wife Leon and Jacqueline decide to hire Gabriele, a Lithuanian college student, who is supposed to support the children in getting acclimated during the first weeks. However, it quickly becomes evident that the kids are developing a deeper connection to "Gabi" than Jacqueline is comfortable with. In a struggle for emotional dominance, Jacqueline's unceasing need to control the situation comes to the fore, a compulsion that has already led her to drive away every member of her family. The new mother is her own biggest obstacle to realising her wish for a perfect family life. Her parenting approach seems to follow strict guidelines: speaking Lithuanian is forbidden, as are any other connections to the children's former existence. Alas, it appears that Jacqueline herself still hasn't entirely made peace with her own past. While Karolina becomes Caroline and Rytis becomes Romain, Urbaitė goes beyond simply pointing out cultural differences – by exploring the additional complexity to be found in the different expectations and traumas that exist within the family unit.