Year: 2023

Runtime: 108 minutes

Writer/Director: Marija Kavtaradz

Actors: Kęstutis Cicėnas, Greta Grinevičiūt

By Caz Armstrong

Caution: There are some spoilers below.

“Slow” is a Lithuanian film about asexual relationships, gracefully upheld by a reverence for physicality.

Dovydas (Kęstutis Cicėnas) is a sign language interpreter hired to help a class of deaf students take dance classes with teacher Elena (Greta Grinevičiūtė). A relationship begins between the two, but Dovydas’ asexuality adds a complicated dynamic.

Openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender characters are becoming more commonplace on our screens but asexuality is still far more rare. It is more often hinted at than declared outright. Sherlock and Sheldon Cooper are examples of characters whose actions and lifestyles suggest asexuality, but who never state it publicly. Sadly they also come with an awkwardness, disgust or even fear around relationships with others. They’re portrayed as abnormal.

But with “Slow,” Sundance award-winning writer/director Marija Kavtaradze challenges these stereotypes and what the average person might assume about asexuality. It shows that asexual people can and do have deep relationships, and that their wide variety of experiences are worth exploring on screen.

Kavtaradze’s characters are emotionally honest, if unsure how to make things work. The drama is on the contemplative side and comes from the situation rather than tropes of romantic errors.

Dovydas’ ability to hold down a romantic relationship without sex makes Elena feel undesired and like she’s receiving mixed messages. He lives in a world where sex is central to relationships yet it’s something he can’t offer, and struggles to explain.

Both main characters use physical expression in different ways. Elena uses contemporary dance to express her emotions, as well as teaching others to do the same. Dovydas uses sign language, which is far more than making symbols with your hands. It requires emoting with your whole body.

The film uses lingering shots and warm tones, crafted by cinematographer Laurynas Bareiša. It often focuses on movement, skin and touch but not in a sexual way. It has a reverence for the human body and communication through physicality. The dichotomy is ever starker; that bodies so graceful and expressive could be so closely connected in a way we don’t expect.

“Slow” reimagines what relationships can look like in a world that expects a fast pace and hookups. Bringing asexuality to the fore, the audience are able to admire bodies for all their grace and expression without a sexual gaze. “Slow” is directed with confidence, knowing exactly what it wants to say and how it’s going to say it.

Slow is released in the US on 3^rd May 2024 and in the UK on 24^th May 2024.