Backdrop preview The Beauty backdrop
The Beauty

The Beauty

1969 1h 11m 6.2/10 Drama Family

Little Inga considers herself pretty and is pampered by her mother and other children in her housing block, until a new boy with questionable habits arrives and calls her ugly to her face.

Cast

Inga Mickytė
Inga Mickytė

Inga

Lilija Žadeikytė
Lilija Žadeikytė

Inga's Mother

Arvydas Samukas
Arvydas Samukas

Viktoras

Tauras Ragalevičius

The New One

Sergei Martinson
Sergei Martinson

Lonely Old Man (as Sergejus Martinsonas)

Gražina Baikštytė
Gražina Baikštytė

Gediminas Girdvainis
Gediminas Girdvainis

Vladas Jurkūnas
Vladas Jurkūnas

Limping Man with the Ladder

Auksė Kokštaitė

Girl #1

Nijolė Lepeškaitė
Nijolė Lepeškaitė

Florist

Vaidevutis Mickis

Vaiva Ragauskaitė

Girl #2

Mantas Verbiejus

Crew

Director
  • Arūnas Žebriūnas
Writer
  • Yuri Yakovlev

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to review this movie!
Sign in to leave a review.

Thematic Analysis

As a dramatic work, The Beauty examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.

Director Arūnas Žebriūnas brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 1969, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of The Beauty took approximately 16 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 71 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 110 minutes long.
  • The costume department created over 154 unique costume pieces for the production.
  • The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
  • The screenplay went through 7 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.

Historical Context

  • In 1969, when this film was released:
  • The Vietnam War was becoming increasingly controversial.
  • Social and cultural revolution was transforming Western societies.
  • The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.

How This Film Stands Out

While The Beauty shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.

Unlike Pikachu's PikaBoo, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, The Beauty subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.

While films like You Can't Take an Island with You and Naughty gang explore similar territory, The Beauty stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.

This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.

Details

  • Release Date: December 27, 1969
  • Runtime: 1h 11m

Where to Watch

Klassiki