EFF: The Southern Chronicles

This film is also showing at our sister cinemas, Classic Cinemas and Ritz Cinemas

Pietinia Kronikas

Australian & New Zealand Premiere

“If you are craving period oufits, 1990s design and a soundtrack full of Eurodance classics [...] The Southern Chronicles (Pietinia Kronikas) has you covered.” – The Hollywood Reporter

It’s the early 90s in post-Soviet Lithuania and 17-year-old Rimantas spends his days playing rugby, listening to Eurobeat music and hustling for money on the black market. One day, Rimantas happens to cross paths with Monika, who lives in an affluent neighbourhood and goes to private school, and despite their clashing backgrounds, the two begin to fall for one another. Monika shares her love of literature and poetry with Rimantas, opening his eyes to a new world of arts, culture and alternative possibilities.

Based on a bestselling novel, this charming coming-of-age dramedy absolutely smashed box office records in its home country, becoming the highest-grossing Lithuanian movie of all time (ahead of Avatar: The Way of Water and Minions). It dominated the Lithuanian Oscars, winning 12 Silver Crane awards from 14 nominations, won Best Baltic Film at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival and has now been chosen as Lithuania’s entry for the Best International Feature Film category for the 98th Academy Awards.

Festivals & Awards

Academy Awards 2026 - Lithuania’s submission for Best International Feature Film
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 2024 – Best Baltic Film
Tromsø International Film Festival, Norway 2025 – Official Selection
12 Silver Crane Awards (Lithuanian Oscars) including Best Film

Rating

Unclassified 18+

Duration

121 min

Country

Lithuania, Estonia

Language

Lithuanian (English subtitles)

Cast

Džiugas Grinys, Digna Kulionytė, Robertas Petraitis, Irena Sikorskytė

Director

Ignas Miškinis