TOXIC
a film by Saulé Bliuvaité
FEATURE PRESENTATION
MAY 30, 2025 • 7:00 PM
@ THE BUS STOP THEATRE
(2203 GOTTINGEN STREET, HALIFAX)
2024 / LITHUANIA / 99 mins
In Lithuanian with English subtitles
Toxic is the debut feature from Lithuanian filmmaker Saulė Bliuvaitė. The film follows 13-year-olds Marija and Kristina as they attempt to escape their hometown through careers as international models. The two teens develop a complex friendship as they both try to manipulate their bodies as best they can while enrolled in the local modeling school. This unlikely story of friendship features incredibly mature and nuanced performances by first-time actors Vesta Matulyte and Ieva Rupeikaite.
Toxic explores girlhood, body image, and men’s exploitation of women and girls with care and unflinching honesty. This film deals heavily with body dysmorphia and eating disorders. Viewers are encouraged to watch with care.
—Tori Fleming
TRAILER
ABOUT THE FILMMAKER
Saulė Bliuvaitė
Saulė Bliuvaitė is a Lithuanian film director, screenwriter, and editor. She graduatedfrom the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre in 2018 and began her film-making career with several short films, while also co-writing Isaac, Lithuania'ssubmission for the 2022 Academy Award for Best International Feature. Her debutfeature, TOXIC, premiered in the international competition at the Locarno FilmFestival, where it won the prestigious Golden Leopard. Since its debut, TOXIC hasgarnered numerous international accolades and was nominated for the EuropeanDiscovery – Prix FIPRESCI at the European Film Awards