VIII edition
KING’S SHIFT
Title | KINGS’ SHIFT |
Original title | Karaliu pamaina |
Year of production | 2016 |
Country | Lithuania |
Scriptwriter | Ignas Miskinis, Saulius Drunga |
Director | Ignas Miskinis |
ScripTeast Edition | VIII |
Creative Advisors | Antonio Saura
Marc Baschet |
Head of Studies | Christian Routh |
Krzysztof Kieślowski ScripTeast Award / Special Mention | – |
Producers/co-producers/ funding / | TREMORA (Lithuania), FILM ANGELS PRODUCTIONS (Latvia), financed by Lituanian Film Centre, Latvia National Film Centre, supported by Eurimages |
Sales agent |
Reel Suspects |
Distributor | Garsu Pasaulio Irasai |
Trailer | http://www.tremora.com/portfolio-posts/brilliant-design/ |
Poster | http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5664042/mediaviewer/rm721225472 |
Festivals/ awards/ cinema results | · Lithuanian Film Awards 2016: won – Silver Crane – Best Supporting Actor (Geriausias antro plano aktorius) – Vidas Petkevicius, Best Score (Geriausias garso takelis) – Edgars Rubenis Nominated: Silver Crane -Best Film (Geriausias filmas)
· Montreal WFF (Official Selection) · Molodist IFF (Official Selection) · Braunschweig IFF (In Competition) · Goa IFF (Official Selection) · Muces FF (Official Selection) |
Synopsis | A rookie policeman is left alone in a private clinic to guard a comatose suspect of World War II crimes. His shift is long over, yet nobody comes to replace him. However, the youngster is determined not to leave his post until he gets permission from his authorities to do so. Lack of sleep, loneliness, hunger and the persistence to serve his duty turn the young man into a ticking time bomb at the very wrong time. He must decide how far he can go guarding this suspect who is hated to death by everyone. |
Full Credits | http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5664042/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 |
Link to the project – archive | http://scripteast.pl/kings-shift/ |
Christmas Eve. A remote private clinic. The policeman KASTYTIS (20) guards a patient suspected of World War II crimes. Kastytis has been on duty for overtime but no one comes to replace him, and his superiors do not get in touch with him. Despite the uncertainty and the clinic’s unfriendly staff Kastytis does not leave his post because he believes that a good cop must always complete his assignment.
The nurse JULIJA (23) comes late to her shift. Always chatty, the girl manages to have a joyful word with everyone. Even with Kastytis. Unfortunately her careless treatment of the patient Kastytis is guarding makes him lose his temper. Their quarrel grows into a scuffle – a medicine trolley is knocked on the floor with a bang. An intervention is needed by the on-duty doctor and the security guards.
Left alone, Kastytis feels sorry for overreacting. Julia, who comes to tidy up the room, doesn’t want to blame anyone either. The tension dissolves. Later on, Kastytis is addressed by the rest of the clinic’s staff. He is invited into the ward of an old and respected patient of the clinic, where everybody gathers to celebrate Christmas Eve. The party is nice and warm and Kastytis begins to feel like a part of a friendly family. However, the idyllic evening is spoiled by an argument about the point and sense of a trial of the disabled WW2 crime suspect that is staying at the clinic.
The same people that were wishing each other kindness and love just minutes ago, begin to throw accusations and insults. Past sins and doings are remembered. The darkness of human infamy unravels before Kastytis’ eyes, brightened only by Julia’s smile. At that moment, an alarm goes off in the clinic. The clinic’s respectful patient goes into a crisis due to fiery debates. The situation is critical – his life can be saved only by drugs, of which… a single ampule is left. And it’s been saved for sustaining the life of the comatose war crime suspect. Ironic as it is, the rest of the ampules were broken during the conflict between Julia and Kastytis.
The clinic staff, including Julia, demands Kastytis to co-operate in saving the respectful patient’s life. And to forget about the dude he’s guarding. Social status is what matters now, even if it is acquired by ways morally indifferent from war crimes. Yet Kastytis is unsure of what he should do. He tries to solve any doubts by using his service gun.

Lithuania
Ignas Miškinis
Born in 1978. In 2003 he obtained master degree in TV directing at Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. In the same year Ignas made a debut short “EASILY AND SWEETLY” (Roterdam FF, Melbourne FF, Kurz Film Hamburg, Cottbus FF, Interfilm Berlin, Asiana FF (Seoul)). In 2006 wrote and directed his first low budget, controversial but successfully released in Lithuania feature “DIRINGAS”. In 2009 he created his second feature, an urban road movie “LOW LIGHTS”. The film was made in coproduction with Germany and released in both countries (“Silver Crane” as the best Lithuanian film of 2009, World premiere – Karlovt Vary FF, “East of the West” competition, Warsaw FF, Kinoshok FF, Hamburg FF, Busan FF, Nordic FF Lubeck, Sevillia Europien FF, Leeds FF, Brussels FF, Cottbus FF, Rome FF, Jekaterinburg FF – „Best film award“). At the moment he is developing his next feature “Kings’ Shift”.

Lithuania
Saulius Drunga
Born in 1972. Self-taught cinema dramaturge and filmmaker. Worked with Lithuanian underground filmmakers (as co-writer and consultant). In 2005 one of his screenplays made a good impression on well-known European script editor David Wingate, who recommended author to SOURCES 2 Script Development Workshop, which takes place in Potsdam/Germany. There was developed “Anarchy in Žirmūnai” screenplay – winner of MEDIA New Talent Award at Cannes Film Festival in 2007. The same year Saulius Drunga became gainer of Debut of the Year Prize founded by Lithuanian Cultural Department. Another Drunga’s screenplay “Laura and The Movies” was developed through script development workshop SCRIPTEAST (2008- 2009) with such script consultants as Andrew Birkin, Gordon Hoffman, Miguel Machalski and Christian Routh. His debut film “Anarchy in Žirmūnai” from award winning script reached cinema theatres in September of 2010, became most controversial film debut in Lithuania, got nomination for Best Film in annual Lithuanian film awards and was successfully sold abroad. In 2011 film won Best “Perspectives” Competition Film award at International Moscow Film Festival. Currently Drunga works on some film and TV projects.

Udayan Prasad
“ScripTeast is the programme all the advisors wish they could have attended at the start of their careers. It would have saved all that stumbling around in the dark looking for the key that stimulates the imagination so much more effectively.”
BAFTA nominated, director of “My Son the Fanatic”, “The Yellow Hankerchief” and ”Opa!”, 5th edition ScripTeast creative advisor, UK

Tom Abrams
“ScripTeast’s top-notch team of professional advisors, each year’s talented group of participants, and venues in Poland, Germany and France continue to make it the very best development workshop in the world today.”
ScripTeast Head of Studies, Associate Professor – Screenwriting and Production at School of Cinematic Arts, USC, screenwriter and director, author of the script for the Oscar-nominated film “Shoeshine”, USA

Scott Alexander
“ScripTeast is a fascinating mix of cultures, political ideas, and voices. I learned a lot, and I think the participants learned a lot more. If only they served vodka!”
Golden Globe awarded author of “The People vs. Larry Flynt” and “Ed Wood” with two Oscars, 5th edition ScripTeast creative advisor, USA