YOU AM I

Lithuania, 2006, 90 minutes, Colour.
Andrius Bialobzeskis, Jurga Jutaite.
Directed by Kristijonas Vildziunas.

You have a middle-aged architect who drops out and builds his own house high in the trees of a forest. Thoreau-like, he is a hermit in nature. You have a group of twenty-somethings who climb a cliff, move into a holiday house and rowdily (and lengthily) celebrate a birthday – while the host is writing and telling a story about a group who climb a cliff, find a paradise and then are compelled to climb another cliff where they find another paradise. Now and again you have an indigenous man who is an apparition with wise sayings.

These are all juxtaposed rather than integrated. It depends which story holds attention most for interest and enjoyment of the film. The director leaves it to the audience to make the connections – if they wish.

1. The meaning of the title, a Mayan greeting - to indicate that we are all one? The figure of the Mayan Indian appearing throughout the film - his messages for Baron? His indication of oneness of the humanity, and respect for the environment?

2. The Lithuanian settings, the sea, the countryside, the forest? The musical score? The songs - especially for the party?

3. The opening, the writing of the diary, the boat and the people arriving and climbing the cliff?

4. Baron, the architect, giving up his work, his particular cycle, on the road, people watching, buying provisions? His meeting with his old girlfriend? Their night together, the sauna? Her symbolism as a witch of the past?

5. His finding his place in the forest, his building the house in the trees, his hard work? His living in nature?

6. The group, the climbing of the cliff, the summer house, at home with each other, the birthday party for Domynika? Inviting Baron?

7. The party, the singing and the dancing, the food, the swimming? The joy?

8. Domynika, her meeting with Baron, the sensitivity towards each other, the walk? The promise to meet on New Year's Eve? Would they?

9. Baron, his seeing the Mayan Indian again - and his feeling at one with the universe?