Friday, September 1, 2017

'We Will Riot' DVD: Young Lithuanian Lion Zabaraukas Tells Tale of Vilnius Beatmakers


[EDITOR'S NOTE: This review of the 2013 drama "We Will Riot" is the last article on the trilogy of movies by filmmaker/gay rights activist Romas Zabrauskas ahead of a mid-September interview with the auteur himself.]

The feature-length 2013 drama "We Will Riot" by young lion of the Lithuanian independent film world Romas Zabrauskas  is a good middle film between his (Unreal TV reviewed) 30-minute 2011 movie "Porno Melodrama" and his 2016 (also reviewed) feature "You Can't Escape Lithuania."

The following YouTube clip of the SPOILER-DRIPPING theatrical trailer for "Riot" highlights the intensity and related drama of the tale of the passion of the youth in a repressive society.


"Riot" centers around Luke, a 20-something black guy from New York whose birthday presents include learning that the white grandmother whom he grows up believing to be dead is alive and thriving in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius. This prompts a confrontation with the black mother and his white father that leads to Luke traveling to Lithuania to better discover his roots.

The grandmother-grandchild reunion that is a only an plane trip away goes surprisingly well and even more unexpectedly leads to meeting with the fictional mayor of the real city. That municipal leader recruits "wannabe DJ" Luke to first create a city-owned night club for the youth of the city and then manage the joint.

This leads to a club-music infused montage in which Luke directs contractors and reviews plans with the mayor; an amusing scene from this portion of the film has Luke negotiating with Andy, an insecure gay Lithuanian who is promoting the local musicians The Beatmakers who are critical to the success of the venture. A mirror is highly symbolic (and equally prophetic) in this exchange.

The honeymoon period for Luke extends beyond his business succeeding in the eyes of the club kids and the city alike. He is enjoying a good relationship with white rebellious party girl/fag hag Marta. Marta is a twofer regarding Zabrauskas trademarks in that she is the girl to the two guys who are central characters and fills the role of that female in having an memorably insightful line. The observation this time is that Andy being gay precludes him from being prejudiced against Luke because that not-at-all ugly American is black.

This also is a period in which Luke encourages Andy to not suppress his sexuality despite the rampant government-sanctioned homophobia in Lithuania. Zabrauskas provides an awesome payoff regarding this in an equally sweet and amusing scene in which Andy reaches the point that he openly makes out with his adorable boyfriend.

As is often the case in relationships of all types, the honeymoon lasts roughly one year. Luke becomes a victim of his own success in that the club does so well that the city covertly and overtly acts to shut it down to make room for development that is inconsistent with the business that is responsible for revitalizing the area. Discovering the extent to which he is being duped is very painful for our hero.

All of this leads to the spectacular Zabrauskas trademark of a passionate speech that accompanies a surprising act of freedom of expression. In this case, the grand gesture is very apt for this film in which historic and current suppression is a major theme.

On a larger level, "Riot" shows once again that Zabrauskas is an actor's director. This reflects both that he is a peer of his main cast and that those (mostly Lithuanian) thespians share his passion regarding the prejudice and corruption in that country with a challenging past.

Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Riot" is encouraged either to email me or to connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.











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