The International Feature Film Competition at the 31st edition of the IFF Art Film places a strong focus on themes of adolescence and escape from grim reality, as well as reflections on current events beyond Slovakia\u2019s borders. Curated by the festival\u2019s artistic director Martin Pal\u00fach, the section primarily features debut works by European female and male directors, along with one American filmmaker.<\/p>\n
Toxic<\/em>\u00a0is the feature debut of Lithuanian director Saul\u0117 Bliuvait\u0117, telling the story of 13-year-old Maria growing up in an industrial town steeped in toxic beauty standards. New to town and living only with her grandmother, Maria enrolls in a modeling school in an attempt to escape her bleak day-to-day life. However, the modeling world that promises glamour and escape instead subjects the girls to humiliation and extreme experiments with their bodies. The film won four awards at the Locarno Festival, including the Golden Leopard, and was nominated for the European Discovery \u2013 FIPRESCI Prize at the European Film Awards.<\/p>\n