Answer:
"Way of the Heart" is a deeply personal story that reflects
the struggles and resilience of people facing tremendous challenges in their
lives. The inspiration came from observing the harsh realities many people face
today—particularly those who are forced to leave their homes in search of a
better life. Asta's character, for example, is inspired by the countless strong
women who sacrifice everything for their families. Firaz’s journey reflects the
struggles of those who flee persecution. The story is about love, survival, and
the unyielding human spirit. It’s about finding hope even in the darkest times.
2. The story features characters from
very different backgrounds. What message do you hope to convey through their
journey?
Answer:
The main message of "Way of the Heart" is that love and
humanity transcend cultural, religious, and geographical boundaries. Asta and
Firaz come from very different worlds, but their experiences of loss, longing,
and hope bring them together. Through their journey, I wanted to show that no
matter how different our backgrounds might be, we all share common human
experiences. I hope readers and viewers alike will see the power of love and
resilience in the face of adversity.
3. What has been the most challenging
part of turning your book into a screenplay?
Answer:
Adapting a book into a screenplay is a challenging process because you
have to distill the essence of the story into a visual and dialog-driven
format. It requires deciding which parts of the narrative are most crucial to
the story's emotional core and how to express those elements through dialogue,
action, and cinematography. One of the biggest challenges was ensuring that the
depth of Asta’s and Firaz’s experiences and emotions translated effectively to
the screen while keeping the story engaging and visually compelling.
4. What do you hope a film adaptation of
"Way of the Heart" will achieve?
Answer:
I hope the film adaptation of "Way of the Heart" will resonate
with a broad audience and bring greater awareness to the struggles faced by
refugees and immigrants. More than that, I want it to be a story that inspires
hope and empathy. I believe that film has the power to move people in a unique
way, and I hope that through Asta and Firaz’s story, viewers will be reminded
of the strength of the human spirit and the transformative power of love.
Ultimately, my dream is for the film to spark conversations about compassion,
understanding, and the need for solidarity in our increasingly divided world.
5. How has your experience been sharing the screenplay at film festivals?
On Saturday, my husband and I travelled to the town of Shrewsbury, where we discovered a special relaxation room. In recent years, the so-called "Floating bath" has become a popular method for achieving complete body relaxation. English or Epsom salt is known for its healing and soothing properties, as well as being an important source of magnesium sulphate. In such a warm salt solution, the human body is freed from the burden of gravity, allowing muscles to completely relax. We decided to try this "floating bath."
At the salon, we were greeted by the owner, Kevin, who showed us the bath, explained how to use it, and left us alone. I would say this egg-shaped relaxation device looked more like a spaceship capsule from science fiction movies.
The capsule bath was filled with water. I got in, lay down in the water, and closed the lid. Wow! I didn’t sink as usual but instead floated on the surface of the water. Soft music started playing, accompanied by a display of various coloured lights. After 5 minutes, the music and lights turned off, leaving me in darkness. I tried to move and enjoyed the sensation! I felt as if I was in a state of weightlessness. The capsule was spacious and long, allowing me to float both across and along its length, feeling like an astronaut in space. It is said that similar sensations can be experienced in the waters of the Dead Sea. I don't know for sure, as I have never been to Israel to compare.
After 40 minutes of this "flight into space," the lights came back on, and the water began to drain. Once the water was gone, I tried to stand up, but my muscles felt strangely stiff. However, I knew what to do. I lay back, relaxed, and calmly got up. The parts of my body that had been above the water were covered in salt, which was quite surprising. After the session, I felt a pleasant sense of lightness and tranquility. My skin was smooth, all negative thoughts had vanished, and my husband said I looked 10 years younger.
That’s how I flew naked into the space!
Salone mus pasitiko savininkas Kevinas, kuris parodė vonią, paaiškino, kaip ja naudotis, ir paliko mus vienus. Ši kiaušinio formos atsipalaidavimo priemonė man labiau priminė erdvėlaivio kapsulę iš mokslinės fantastikos filmų.
Kai vonia buvo pripildyta vandens, įlipau į ją, atsiguliau ant vandens ir uždariau dangtį. Oho! Aš neskendau, kaip įprasta, o gulėjau ant vandens paviršiaus. Pradėjo skambėti rami muzika ir mirksėti įvairiaspalvės lemputės. Po 5 minučių muzika ir šviesos išsijungė, ir likau tamsoje. Bandžiau judėti ir man tai patiko! Jaučiausi tarsi būčiau nesvarumo būklėje. Kapsulė buvo pakankamai plati ir ilga, kad galėčiau plaukti skersai ir išilgai, jausdamasis kaip kosmonautas kosmose. Sakoma, kad panašūs pojūčiai patiriami ir Negyvojoje jūroje, tačiau, nesu ten buvusi, todėl negaliu palyginti.
Po 40 minučių "skrydžio į kosmosą" šviesos vėl įsijungė, o vanduo pradėjo leistis. Kai vonia ištuštėjo, bandžiau atsikelti, bet raumenys atrodė keistai sustingę. Vis dėlto žinojau, ką daryti. Atsiguliau, atsipalaidavau ir ramiai atsikėliau. Kūno dalis, buvusi virš vandens, buvo padengta druska, kas mane labai nustebino. Po sesijos jaučiau lengvumą ir ramybę. Oda tapo lygi, visos blogos mintys dingo, o vyras sakė, kad atrodau 10 metų jaunesnė.
Taip aš nuoga skridau į kosmosą!
One of the most fascinating segments was the maturation room, where we saw an array of oak casks aging the precious liquid. The guide explained the critical role of wood in developing the whiskey's flavour profile, and we even had the chance to nose and taste samples at various stages of maturation. This sensory experience underscored the intricate balance of science and art in whiskey making.
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Mūsų apsilankymas Airijos viskio akademijoje ir Midletono distiliavimo gamykloje buvo daugiau nei tik ekskursija; tai buvo nepamirštama patirtis, kuri sustiprino mūsų dėkingumą airiškam viskiui. Sutiktų žmonių aistra ir kompetencija kartu su turtinga varyklos istorija ir naujoviška dvasia padarė šią kelionę tikrai ypatinga.
Visiems, besidomintiems viskiu ar tiesiog mėgstantiems kultūros paveldą, Airijos viskio akademija ir Midletono distiliavimo gamykla siūlo gilų ir malonų vienos brangiausių Airijos tradicijų tyrinėjimą. Išvykome su nauja pagarba šiam amatui ir keliais buteliais mėgstamo viskio pasimėgauti namuose, kiekvienas gurkšnis primins mums apie nuostabią kelionę.
Programoje Poetai iš Lietuvos, Jav ir JK skaitys savo eiles. Koncertas dainuos Neringa Ablingytė, pianistė Jelena Makarova skambins pianin...
