This meticulously researched, tense and timely historical drama marks the outstanding acting debut of the previously unknown Donatas elvys. The actor devoted an entire year for the challenging major leading role, living strictly in character, voluntarily starving himself and becoming a chain smoker. He was the only crew member who remained untouched by Covid. Two directors from different generations, Giedrius Tamoeviius (long-time assistant to Sergey Loznitsa on his fearture films) and Vytautas V. Landsbergis (co-writer of the IDFA winning “Mr. Landsbergis”), chose the same intimidating and suppressing post-war period as arnas Bartas in “In the Dusk”. A newly appointed teacher, Kostas Skinkys, arrives at a remote village school. The famous journalist and distinguished poet was downgraded for illegal publications and forbidden anti-Soviet verses. Suspicious locals still prefer to test his loyalties, while children willingly recite his verses from “To My Soviet Motherland”, written ...