“Films selected with hands and heart” – this is how the Pasaka cinemas in Vilnius like to describe themselves. Located in the Old Town and Paupys, these cinemas invite viewers to enjoy quality European and American films. Here, viewers can expect not only a cozy atmosphere and a carefully curated repertoire but also intriguing meetings with filmmakers.
The Pasaka cinema in the Old Town has been operating since 2009, and a bit later, another cinema opened its doors in Paupys. According to Laura Bartusevičiūtė, the program director of Pasaka, the cinemas often organize additional film events, premieres, and extended film experiences. “Our main value is quality cinema. We strive to make every visit to the cinema a small celebration,” says Bartusevičiūtė.
A familiar tradition for Pasaka cinema-goers is the “Blind Date with Kino Pavasaris” event on Valentine’s Day, where viewers only find out what film they will watch once they are in the cinema hall. For three years now, audiences have been invited to start the New Year on January 1st with a screening of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” and for the second year, Ingmar Bergman’s “Fanny and Alexander” has been shown.
“During various celebrations and events, we try to create a cozy atmosphere in the Pasaka spaces. During the premiere of ‘Slow,’ the cinema’s interior was bathed in yellow lights associated with the film. For the premiere of ‘Smoke Sauna Sisterhood,’ the cinema was decorated with sauna branches and filled with the scents of essential oils. We strive to transform the space according to the film and expand the cinema experience. By the way, Pasaka Distribution distributed the film ‘Sauna Sisters’ and invited guests to special screenings with sauna master Inga Kajanskaitė and emotional release instructor Justina Ignatavičienė, with the film’s director Anna Hints from Estonia attending the premiere,” Bartusevičiūtė explains.
According to the program director, recent Lithuanian films have also gained significant popularity among viewers. Among the ten most-watched films in the Pasaka repertoire, four are Lithuanian: “The Jump” with approximately 9,000 viewers, “Slow” with approximately 7,000 viewers, “Kernagis” with approximately 5,500 viewers, and “The Parade” with approximately 4,500 viewers. Viewers also appreciate auteur filmmakers and their internationally acclaimed films, such as Ruben Östlund’s “Triangle of Sadness” or Yorgos Lanthimos’s “Poor Things.”
V
