# Runner (2021 film)

Runner (Lithuanian: Bėgikė) is a Lithuanian film written and directed by Andrius Blaževičius, released in 2021.
This dramatic thriller explores the themes of self-sacrifice, love, and toxic relationships, realistically portraying 24 hours of a toxic relationship, which eventually contaminates the entire city of Vilnius, Lithuania, all within a chaotic and frenzied chase.

## Plot

After her boyfriend Vytas (played by Marius Repšys) experiences a psychotic episode and disappears, Maria (portrayed by Žygimantė Elena Jakštaitė) is determined to find and help him. Chasing every clue about his whereabouts, she embarks on a fast-paced odyssey through the city. Always one step behind and against all odds, she fights for both, her love and her freedom.

## Cast

* Žygimantė Elena Jakštaitė as Marija
* Marius Repšys as Vytas
* Laima Akstinaitė as Ona
* Vytautas Kaniušonis as Marija's Father
* Viktorija Kuodytė as Marija's Mother
* Valentinas Krulikovskis as Petras
* Emilis Aškelovičius as Pranas
* Lukas Malinauskas as Jonas
* Indrė Patkauskaitė as Jūratė

## Production

Runner is the second feature film by Andrius Blaževičius, marking his second collaboration with producer Marija Razgutė (M-Films) after The Saint in 2016.
Formerly titled Paralysis, Runner was produced by M-Films (Lithuania) in co-production with Bionaut (Czech Republic). The film was financed by the Lithuanian Film Centre during the scriptwriting, development, and production stages, as well as through tax incentives.
Filming took place in Lithuania in the city of Vilnius during the summer of 2019.

## Reception

The film was generally well received by critics. It garnered 67% positive reviews based on 390 reviews collected, on the website IMDb and 3.4/5 stars for 350 votes on the website Letterboxd.

## Accolades

| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipients | Result |
| Crossing Europe Film Festival 2022 | 2022 | Best Films | Andrius Blaževičius | Selected |
| National Lithuanian Film Awards 2022 (Silver Crane) | 2022 | Best Actress | Žygimantė Elena Jakštaitė | Won |
| National Lithuanian Film Awards 2022 (Silver Crane) | 2022 | Best Supporting Actress | Laime Akstinaitė | Won |
| National Lithuanian Film Awards 2022 (Silver Crane) | 2022 | Best Actor | Marius Repšys | Nominated |
| National Lithuanian Film Awards 2022 (Silver Crane) | 2022 | Best Film | Andrius Blaževičius | Nominated |
| National Lithuanian Film Awards 2022 (Silver Crane) | 2022 | Best Director | Andrius Blaževičius | Nominated |
| National Lithuanian Film Awards 2022 (Silver Crane) | 2022 | Best Screenplay | Marija Kavtaradzė Teklė Kavtaradzė Andrius Blaževičius | Nominated |
| National Lithuanian Film Awards 2022 (Silver Crane) | 2022 | Best Cinematography | Narvydas Naujalis | Nominated |
| National Lithuanian Film Awards 2022 (Silver Crane) | 2022 | Best Editing | Ieva Veiverytė | Nominated |
| National Lithuanian Film Awards 2022 (Silver Crane) | 2022 | Best Sound | Martin Ožvold | Nominated |
| National Lithuanian Film Awards 2022 (Silver Crane) | 2022 | Best Makeup | Jurgita Globytė | Nominated |
| National Lithuanian Film Awards 2022 (Silver Crane) | 2022 | Best Art Direction | Justė Kalnietytė | Nominated |
| National Lithuanian Film Awards 2022 (Silver Crane) | 2022 | Best Costume | Fausta Naujalė | Nominated |
| National Lithuanian Film Awards 2022 (Silver Crane) | 2022 | Audience Award | Andrius Blaževičius | Selected |
| Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 2021 | 2021 | Best Film - Baltic Competicion | Andrius Blaževičius | Won |
| Riga International Film Festival 2021 | 2021 | Best Film, International competition | Andrius Blaževičius | Won |
| Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2021 | 2021 | Best Film, International competition | Andrius Blaževičius | Selected |