War Distracts From Divorce Drama

Lithuanian director Andrius Blaževičius' film "How to Divorce During the War" explores the complex interplay between personal turmoil and global conflict. Set against the initial days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in the winter of 2022, the movie centers on Marija and Vytas. The war in neighboring Ukraine creates a pervasive anxiety, yet for the couple, it also serves as a distraction from their messy separation and personal pain.

The film flashes back to the couple's strained relationship prior to the invasion. Vytas, a filmmaker, struggles with creative block while Marija, the family's breadwinner, resents his inertia and an affair, ultimately deciding to end the marriage. Their intense arguments reveal deep-seated anger and a shared sense of disillusionment with their lives.

Following the invasion, Marija and Vytas proceed with their divorce amidst significant social upheaval. Both make superficial contributions to aid Ukraine, often for self-serving reasons, such as Marija taking in refugees she quickly resents or Vytas using volunteer work to regain creative momentum. The war consistently influences their personal and professional lives, creating new pressures and conflicts.

Shot with a documentary-style remove, the film observes the couple's daily lives and their often warped altruism. Neither character is reduced to a caricature; their conflicting desires to do good while prioritizing personal relationships and careers resonate. The film concludes by showing how easily the couple can tune out the war's noise, opting for personal comfort over engagement with the international crisis.

"How to Divorce During the War" premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. Zeitgeist Films is releasing the movie in New York on August 21, 2026, with a national rollout planned subsequently.