22/09/2025 - Set in 1990s Lithuania, Saulius Baradinskas’ debut feature tells the story of the teenage son of a mafia tycoon, who discovers music while his father envisions a different future for him

Director Saulius Baradinskas (© Audrius Solominas)

Pre-production has begun in Lithuania on Concrete Music, a Lithuanian-Italian-Croatian co-production directed by Saulius Baradinskas. The film is being produced by Viktoria Films (Lithuania), with Italy’s Lumen Films and Croatia’s Metar60 on board as co-producers.

Set in 1990s Lithuania, Concrete Music follows Rokas, a teenager and the son of a mafia tycoon. As Rokas discovers music, his father has very different plans for him. The story explores whether he can ever truly become free.

The narrative navigates three kinds of “freedom” experienced in Lithuania during that decade: freedom in the absence of morality, marked by wild capitalism and organised crime; freedom “without tomorrow”, embodied by street music and the underground youth movement; and the freedom of a newly independent country, which came with responsibility – and at a price.

Music will play a central role, bridging classical and rock genres to symbolise Rokas’ fight for freedom and identity. Dance will elevate art as a symbol of resistance and hope, with choreography inspired by classic musicals.

Baradinskas commented: “I'm finally telling my generation's story of growing up as an artist in 1990s Lithuania. Concrete Music follows Rokas, a young talent seeking freedom and healing through music – it is a reflection of how music itself became the soul of our country's independence. The film will mix magical realism and a bold cinematic style; this is my most ambitious movie yet.”

Producer Viktorija Seniut-Strolienė, of Viktoria Films, added: “Each of us must be free to make choices about our lives, develop our potential as human beings, and live a life free from fear, harassment or discrimination. I am sure the theme of freedom is universal and is extremely important to all European countries nowadays, as the war is taking place in the middle of the continent.”

The casting and music composition are currently under way. Domantas Starkauskas, actor and lead singer of the Lithuanian alternative rock band Abudu, will play Rokas. The creative team also includes screenplay co-writer Eglė Vertelytė (The Southern Chronicles [+see also:
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Baradinskas, who earned an MFA at the American Film Institute Conservatory in Los Angeles, returns to Europe for the pre-production. His shorts have screened at festivals including Venice, with Techno, Mama receiving a European Film Awards nomination in 2022.

Seniut-Strolienė also stressed the importance of co-production: “I’m glad to have the chance to produce this film with Italian co-producer Andrea Gori, of Lumen Films, and Croatian co-producer Mirta Puhlovski, of Metar60. International co-productions open doors to wider markets and audiences, foster creative collaboration, and allow us to share resources such as talent and locations. They also raise a film’s overall quality, strengthen global industry ties and help national cinema leave its mark abroad.”

Concrete Music is financed by Creative Europe – MEDIA, the Lithuanian Film Centre and the Italian Ministry of Culture. It also received the Italy-Baltic States Co-Development Award at the When East Meets West Co-production Forum, and its script was developed at the Ekran+ international training programme in Poland.

Shooting is scheduled to take place in 2026 in Lithuania and Croatia.