The Lithuanian Film Studio has made a name for itself in the international film world thanks to a number of successful collaborations with top American and British filmmakers.
Since becoming director in 1992, Urbonas has heavily marketed the studio with U.S. and British crews, playing up its low production costs and Lithuanian cities decidedly European character that makes them ideal stand-ins for more famous continental cities.
A U.S. crew just finished shooting "Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde," a new film version of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic.
How has the year gone so far for the studio?
It began successfully because a project has been followed by another project. The first project was "The Story of Gizela Perl" with the film company Show Time. The company had already shot films here in 1995 and 1998. The movie tells an authentic story of a doctor during the Holocaust. We turned Vilnius into a small Hungarian town called Siget, staged the railways of Siget and Auschwitz in Bezdonys, just outside Vilnius. Christine Lahti, who has won several Oscars, was the first such celebrity to act in Lithuania.
Another company, the successful Los Angeles-based independent company New Image, was news for us. The company is known for making action movies. The work was interesting for there were numerous special effects, shootings and explosions. In April and May in Sapiegine Park and Vilnius' Uzupis district, we created the fictional republic of Moldonia for a film called "Special Forces."
Why do foreign film studios choose Lithuania?
The reason for New Image's arrival was money. At first, they wanted to make "Special Forces" in India, but then there was an urgent call to Lithuania. We were asked if we could work in cooperation for the sum they offered. We said yes, so the film was successfully made here. All I can say is that the company wants to come back. They produce more than 15 films a year, including with famous actors such as Steven Siegal and Jean Claude Van Damme. British film companies have also started looking for new places for their productions because their filming costs have risen by 10 percent. Prague, Budapest and Bucharest have enough work, so their eyes are on Lithuania.
How would you compare your present state to the past few years.
The cinema business is unsteady. The rise and fall of the dollar have something to do with that. We were extremely successful in 2000 and expected more of the same in 2001, but it turned out to be a financial downturn and we didn't have much work. This year, we are on the rise, but our situation is determined by the dollar since we mainly cooperate with U.S. companies.
When did the filming of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde" begin?
When "Special Forces" was wrapping up, we immediately began preparing for a new project based on Stevenson's novel. The British company Working Title was behind it, and it was our first time working with them. In fact, it was our first project with a British company and an interesting experience. The British company presented its own requirements for the interior. A lot of things were borrowed from antiquarians and collectors. On the one hand, more charm was given to the project, because we didn't create London, we performed Vilnius, which can be called a place somewhere in Europe. On the other hand, it was easy to work because of extremely good relations with the British group.
How did the British approach differ from the American one?
Americans are usually more nervous. That's OK, we are used to such a style of work, but the planning is more hectic. Sometimes there is more talk than action.
Everything turned out swiftly with the Brits. They were not only flexible but also had trust in Lithuanians. That's why everything fit into the schedule frames.
Which places of Vilnius were chosen for the film scenes?
The Vilnius University ensemble, St. Johns' Church, the Verkiai Palace, several streets in the old town and Uzupis districts were used. For the last two weeks, shooting happened at the studio.
The character's personality doubles in the movie, Dr. Jekyll transforms into Mr. Hyde, so the two-sided Vilnius was shown too. The beautiful side of the city, for example streets besides the National Philharmonic, was the district of Dr. Jekyll. The shabby places of Vilnius, where we tried to replicate the slums, the places were Mr. Hyde lurked.
How did the actors behave during the filming process?
The actors didn't cause any problems. As far as the human side is concerned, much depended on the producers, who were even-tempered. Also the leading actor, John Hannah, was extremely nice, a man of high culture who takes notice of anyone regardless of the occupation.
How many actors were there in all? Do Lithuanian actors have any chance of winning a role in a foreign film?
Lithuanian actors traditionally got parts as extras in crowd scenes or such little parts as a woman in a street or a drunken man, where no dialogue is necessary. It is possible for Lithuanians to get bigger parts, but the British had already cast actors. There were 33 actors in all, 16 of them British.
Where and when will the film be shown?
Producers promise the opening of the film will be held in Vilnius at the end of October or the beginning of November. Then, Bravo Television in the United States will get the film. Also, it will be shown in Great Britain.
What else does the studio have planned this year?
Traditionally, we create short Lithuanian cartoons and documentaries. We have recently received funding for four new ones.
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