BIX Almost Nirvana

2025 1h 44m LT

👍

7.0

SOLID

★7.0TMDB · 1

DocumentaryMusic

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

The BIX rock bar in Vilnius was designed by Saulius Urbonavičius-Samas, the frontman of the cult rock band BIX, which was formed in Šiauliai in 1987. The film also used archival footage of BIX concerts from the 1990s to illustrate the time period. This new story captures the free and playful essence of BIX’s rebellious spirit, which once led Samas and the band to West Berlin, where they shared a stage with Nirvana. Samas, a painter and karate fan, was followed and 're-educated' by the KGB and helped spark the punk movement that protested against Soviet restrictions. Along with teacher Grikis and friends, they recorded forbidden songs away from the authorities.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Saulius Samas Urbonavičius
Self
Gintautas Gascevičius
Self
Aurimas Povilaitis
Self
Mindaugas Špokauskas
Self
Andrius Mamontovas
Self
Algirdas Kaušpėdas
Self
Marijonas Mikutavičius
Self
Martynas Starkus
Self

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Emilis Vėlyvis
Writers: Jonas Banys, Emilis Vėlyvis
Languages: English, Polish, Lithuanian
Countries: Lithuania

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released last year.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 3 languages: English, Polish, Lithuanian.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Emilis Vėlyvis, shot by Petras Skukauskas. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Kipras Mašanauskas. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Eimantas Belickas shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Saulius Samas Urbonavičius and Gintautas Gascevičius and Aurimas Povilaitis carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt38876359 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Emilis Vėlyvis directs. Petras Skukauskas behind the camera. Kipras Mašanauskas scores. Eimantas Belickas cuts. Produced in Lithuania. Dialogue in English, Polish, Lithuanian.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released last year.
2Dialogue crosses 3 languages: English, Polish, Lithuanian.
3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
4Directed by Emilis Vėlyvis, shot by Petras Skukauskas. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Kipras Mašanauskas. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Eimantas Belickas shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Saulius Samas Urbonavičius and Gintautas Gascevičius and Aurimas Povilaitis carry the top of the cast.
8IMDB entry: tt38876359 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 1 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.