Toxic - Saule Bliuvaite

Toxic, awarded the Golden Leopard at the 2024 Locarno International Film Festival, is a bold film that plunges into the turbulence of adolescence. Through the story of two girls, Marija and Kristina, growing up in an industrial town, the film explores their complex relationship with their bodies and societal expectations of beauty. Enrolled in a modelling course, they are pushed to the limit to conform to unattainable ideals of the “perfect” body. With a feverish montage blending archival footage and performance, Toxic exposes society’s damaging influence on self-image and depicts the struggle against an oppressive system. Lithuanian director Saule Bliuvaite presents a raw and uncompromising portrait of youth in an era obsessed with appearances. This film is presented as part of the exhibition Picture Perfect.