Crossing the Great Divide
The War Room and the Divorce Decree: A Look at Andrius Blazevicius’ Black Comedy
In the heart of the conflict, where geopolitical turmoil intersects with the most personal of human dramas, Lithuanian director Andrius Blazevicius has delivered a sharp, darkly comedic look at domestic chaos with his film, How To Divorce During The War. Set in Vilnius, Lithuania, during the tumultuous opening months of the Ukraine war in 2022, the movie explores the extraordinary challenge of navigating marital separation when the world outside is tearing itself apart.
The story centers on Marija, a successful executive whose carefully constructed life faces an imminent and radical upheaval. The ticking clock of the war forces her to confront a decision that could redefine her existence: telling her husband, Vytas, that she wants a divorce. This seemingly ordinary personal crisis is magnified exponentially by the surrounding global catastrophe.
As Marija and Vytas attempt to disentangle themselves from their shared life, they are not alone in their predicament. Vytas finds himself grappling with the stark realities of the war while simultaneously navigating a complex relationship with his family, forced to live alongside his Russophile parents. Meanwhile, Marija faces the intense pressure of the war’s impact on her professional life, all while trying to manage the emotional fallout at home.
Adding another layer of complexity is their daughter, Doville. She is the silent witness to the fracturing of her parents’ home life, experiencing the breakdown of their relationship alongside the terrifying intrusion of the refugee crisis into their lives. The film masterfully weaves together the high-stakes political drama with intimate domestic struggles, showing how even the most private lives are irrevocably altered by global conflict.
Blazevicius has previously established himself as a distinctive voice in feature filmmaking. His earlier work, such as his feature debut The Saint, set against the backdrop of the 2008 economic crisis, and his sophomore feature Begike, demonstrate an ability to find humor and depth in challenging human experiences. How To Divorce During The War continues this tradition, proving that the most profound dramas often hide within the most absurd and difficult human choices.
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