FROM LATVIA

Published by the National Film Centre of Latvia2008F R O M L A T V I ASpecial IssueLatvian Documentaries2008

LATVIANDOCUMENTARIESCONTENTSThe Deconstruction of an Artistby Kristīne Matīsa, Film journalist 2The Soviet Storyby Kristīne Matīsa, Film journalist 6Latvian Documentaries – Arts & Culture 8Latvian Documentaries – History 10Special IssueLatvianDocumentaries2008Latvian Documentaries – Politics 11Latvian Documentaries – Natural History & Wildlife 12Latvian Documentaries – Sciences & Technology 12Latvian Documentaries – Social Issues 12Latvian Documentaries – Sports & Adventure 15Latvian Documentaries – World 16Snow CrazyComing soon self-ironic documentary by Laila Pakalniņa 17Front Cover Debt to AfghanistanEditor Zigita SaulīteText Kristīne MatīsaContributors Zanda Dūdiņa, Ilze Gailīte Holmberga, Lelda OzolaLanguage Editor Sarma GaideDesign and layout Arnis GrinbergsPhotos Agnese Zeltiņa, Edmunds Jansons, Uldis Cekulis, Neils Matīss, Kaspars Goba,from the archive of the National Film Centre of LatviaBaltic Sea Forum for Documentaries in Rīga 18Printer Apgāds Imanta© National Film Centre of Latvia and Media Desk Latvia, 20082 2FN | 1

And I understood that it’s much moreeffective to tell the fate of Latvia andLatvians through a world-renown figure,and not through some introvertedpatriot quietly clenching his fists in hispockets.By the way, I think it’s interestingthat the film’s text, which sounds sopersonal, was actually co-written by atleast four authors, and we all came tothe conclusion that Latvians have beenresponsible for their own harsh fate,first under the Czar and then in SovietRussia. Latvians are a strange people –prone to collaborationism, and yet stillfairly independent with a strong innerresistance to forced ideas.In the middle of the editing processI had already decided that the filmwill end with International, and I evenheard the way it would sound. Now I’mvery proud of this finale, which makes itall even more significant – it’s no longerthe misfortune of a stupid Latvian farmerbelieving in the wrong ideas.Now that you’ve looked deeplyinto Gustavs Klucis, have you understoodhim? He invested his talent inthe adulation of these ideas – did hebelieve in them until the end of his life,or did he start to understand the messhe was in after a while?I think he agreed with the idealsof the regime, but understood very wellthat Stalin was a monster. In his writings,Klucis is very demanding – of people,of their personality traits, and thatis why, I think, he knew very well thatmany of those from the upper echelonssurrounding Stalin, trying to get closerto power (Latvians among them), werepetty and despicable, and that is why insome way they found his punishmentjustifiable.By the way, in deconstructing Klucis’posters, we too relished his workprocess and could imagine how he felt,for example, taking Stalin’s stumpy littlefigure and stretching it out to makea monumental image. Some sort of attitudehad to develop in the process ofbending reality, and I think it was ratherironic.Valentina Zeļukina, expert onKlucis’ works, said that even thoughKlucis worked on a flat surface, he hadunique three-dimensional thinking. Iwould like to say the same of the film– in the moments when Klucis’ postersrise up from an archive image orphotograph, the screen’s surface alsocomes to life and gains extra dimension.You could call that our film’s patent– we discovered that Klucis’ postersare an exceptional phenomena from thepsychological perception viewpoint.The viewer feels like he is on a movingplatform in his posters, constantlychanging angle and distance to the object,because there are such differentperspectives and measures in the arrangementof forms in one image. This isa brilliant device that many 3D graphicsexperts have yet to grasp. Eighty yearsago Klucis was a lot more progressive.By the way, audiences abroad see moreof this artistic effect in Klucis’ posters,while we are weighed down more by theideological.So you think that this film isviewed differently in Latvia, Russiaand elsewhere in Europe?Yes, you can already sense it – inLatvia, where the film’s run has beenextended, the public sees more thetragic fate and repression. In othercountries they see more the story of anexceptional artist. As an expert said, heliked the fact that the film differs fromthe usual artists’ biographies – full ofadmiration, distanced; here the film’shero is opened from within, explored,and perhaps even understood.That then is the deconstructionmentioned in the title. Another effectivedevice in the film is the staging– did Klucis himself inspire this?Strangely enough I knew that therewould be actors in this film from the beginning– also because I’ve already usedstaging in several documentaries. Oneof the reasons is that there isn’t verymuch material on Klucis, but the filmneeded visual events, which is, simplystated, something has to move in thescene. It’s a sort of period reconstruction,trying to bring to life feelings, colours,light and being convinced that ahand or shoulder movement or shadowcan do more then text.My day-to-day job of teachingyoung actors certainly helped this process– we frequently act out sketches thatseemingly do not have story, action anddialogue, only some small point of referencefrom which to unravel emotionsfor a scene. I can truly say that I’m experiencedin this reanimation genre, andit was a real treat for me as a features’director.You still view yourself as a featurefilm director even after such a stellardocumentary?Yes, definitely. Only I’m concernedwith a problem I see in workingwith budding directors and seeing thefilms of others – contemporary cinemais becoming more and more narrativeand literary. There is a lot of action onscreen, but it is mostly effects – with badprose beneath it, force-fed by primitivestory devices. Now, with the experienceof this film, I can say to younger peoplewith much more assurance – you haveto fight for a film’s visuals, because it isa very essential quality. And if it can bedone in a documentary, then it can bedone even more so in a fiction.Pēteris KrilovsDate of Birth 18.02.1949.Professional Education1969-1975feature film director, Moscow State Instituteof Cinematography (VGIK)Work Experience1993-todayProfessor at the Drama Department,Latvian Academy of Culture1994-1996Artistic Director at the Daugavpils Theatre1975-1990Film director at the Riga Film StudioProfessional Skills1990-today ten documentaries1990-today fifteen theatre productions1985-1989 three short films1977-1989 five feature filmsFN | 4 FN | 5

Kristīne MatīsaFilm journalistThe Soviet StoryOur main goal is to breakthrough the wall ofsilence, say the film’sauthors. And they’vesucceeded – EdvīnsŠnore’s documentaryThe Soviet Story has, like no other filmin Latvia’s recent history, provoked somany active disputes, cardinally opposingopinions and even aggressive deeds,including the burning of the director’seffigy.The film’s author, an internationalrelations student, collected the film’smaterial for ten years. Upon examininghistorical archives he felt bitter disappointmentabout the injustices arisingfrom the depiction and assessment ofevents in the last century. “Delving intothe documents revealed increasinglyclose ties to both totalitarian regimes -Nazism and Communism, which werenot only similar, but in the middle ofboth regimes there was also good cooperationand understanding on, forexample, the necessity of the holocaust,mass murder and concentration camps.But all that has even deeper roots, foundin Marx and Engel’s philosophy, whichgrew in Europe’s culture.” believes thefilm’s author.The film took two years to make,and victims of the communist regimewere interviewed in the process, aswere politicians, leading historians andexperts from all of Europe. Filming tookplace in Russia, Ukraine, Germany,France, the UK, Belgium and Latvia,and the circle of people involved in thefilm allows it to enlarge upon more thanjust being a Latvian product. A chronologyof events shows that the film’s resonancereaches far beyond the borders ofLatvia.March – the film’s website www.sovietstory.com goes live, stating – thecreative group behind The Soviet Storyhas been driven by the desire to counterbalancethe film Nazism Baltic Styleby Moscow’s Third Rome Studio, whichwas screened in Russia, and whichLatvian historians deemed to be anti-Latvian propaganda with the aim todemonstrate a so-called fascism revivalin the Baltics.April 4th – newspapers write thatnews of The Soviet Story in Latvia’s Russianinternet portal has provoked an unprecedentednumber of comments andhundreds of letters have been receivedby the website. Interest in The SovietStory has been expressed by Azerbaijantelevision, and Paul Raidna, the EstonianHonorary Consul in the U.S., hasasked about buying rights to the film.April 9th – premiere of the filmat the European Parliament in Brussels.Financial support was given tothe film by UEN (Union for Europe ofthe Nations) and European parliamentdeputies from Latvia, Inese Vaidereand Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis, who areboth in the film as well. Vaidere says atthe premiere: “…The Soviet Story willbe a significant breaking point in understandingEuropean history.”, whileKristovskis stresses: “As soon as thereis any question related to Russia, manyEU officials still cringe. This film is onlya starting solution that has to stir uppublic thinking, and from now on, inthe name of security and conciliation ofEurope’s future, there has to be honestdiscussion on the totalitarian regimesthat ruled in Europe.”May 5th – the film is screened inLatvia’s capital, in the movie theatreRīga, and among the persons attendingthe premiere are high-level governmentofficials, foreign ambassadors, representativesof the politically repressed,and historians. Initially the movie theatreplans to screen the film for threedays, but the run is extended due to thedemand for tickets.May 6th – the UEN (Union for Europeof the Nations) press secretary releasesinformation stating that the filmhas been sharply criticized by Russianofficial media, even though it has yetto been screened there. “There is evena persecution campaign against Russianhistorians who participated in thefilm. For example, Roginskis, head ofMemorial, has been forced to publicallyexpress his regret for participating in aproject “hostile to the state”, despite thefact that Roginskis wasn’t even involvedin the film…”.Film director Edvīns Šnore’s viewis: “It’s comical that the Russian propagandamachine is already exposing indetail the so-called falsifications in TheSoviet Story, and as proof pointing outmistakes in the names of organizationsand military person ranks in Nazi andSoviet collaboration documents. Thesedocuments really do appear in the film,but without the mistakes indicated!”May 7th – President of Latvia,Valdis Zatlers, watches the film, andimmediately afterwards the President’sChancery contacts the film’s producersasking for a copy of The Soviet Story inDVD format. On May 22nd, the Presidentgives DVD copies as gifts to thepresidents of Estonia, Lithuania andPoland.May 8th – Latvian Justice MinisterGaidis Bērziņš requests that the Ministryof Education and Science ensurethat The Soviet Story is shown in allLatvian schools, and the Minister is alsoof the view that the film should be seenby all high-standing government officials.The Minister believes that The SovietStory is a striking example of how toshow historical facts to the public: “Thefilm very clearly and precisely provesthat the German Nazi dictatorship andthe Soviet Union’s communist regimewere in essence not only one and thesame, but even collaborated in occupyingother countries”.May 17th – At the Latvian Embassyin Moscow, pro-Kremlin youthorganization Rossija Molodaja stagesa protest campaign Don’t Let Them RewriteHistory! Some 70 activists publicallyhang and burn a symbolic effigy ofdirector Šnore, throwing broken pencilsinto the flames, and the organization’sleader, Maksim Mischenko,demonstratively breaks a gold Parkerpen. Rossija Molodaja representativestry to hand Latvian Ambassador AndrisTeikmanis a letter with a thousand signatureswhile he is at the Europe Dayscelebrations in Gorky Park. In it theyask the Latvian government to ban thescreening of The Soviet Story. The Ambassadordoes not accept the papers,indicating that they should be sent tothe Embassy by mail. The Embassydoes not receive anything in the mail inthe following days.May 18th – The Latvian Ministry ofForeign Affairs sends a note to the RussianForeign Ministry, asking in the futureto notify them in a timely mannerof any protests planned at the LatvianEmbassy.May 21st – Latvian Television announcesthat the film will be shown onthe LTV 1 channel on June 17th – the68th anniversary of the day Soviet militarytanks rolled into Latvia, and thegovernment of independent Latviawas forced to step down as result of anUSSR ultimatum.May 22nd – During the EuropeanParliament plenary session in Strasbourg,Baltic Intergroup deputies,representing eight Baltic region countries,are informed of the protest inMoscow. Baltic Intergroup chairman,Christopher Beazley, stresses that it’simportant to react to such incidents;he notifies the EU’s External RelationsCommissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner,of the protest. UEN President BrianCrowley announces that he will alsoinform EP Chairman Gert Poetteringof this issue. A letter submitted to theEP Chairman states: “We propose thatthe question of the violation of diplomaticnorms in relation to one of theEU member states be mentioned in thenext EU-Russia Summit. In this wayyou would not only express your negativeattitude towards the mentioned incidentin Moscow, but you would alsoextend your moral support to thosepeople who believe that the crimescommitted by the two totalitarian regimes– Nazism and Stalinism – willreceive equally large condemnations inan international arena.”May 23rd – The Economist writes:“Edvins Snore’s film The Soviet Story isthe most powerful antidote yet to thesanitization of the past. BEING burntin effigy on the streets of Moscow bynationalist hoodlums must count as akind of Oscar if you are a Latvian filmmakerwhose aim is to expose modernRussia’s blindness to the criminal historyof the Soviet Union. Mr. Snore andhis sponsors in the European Parliamenthave produced a sharply provocativework.” Moreover, The Economistpoints out that those who want to banit should try refuting it first.May 27th - Movie theatre Rīgaannounces that they are once againextending the film’s run on account ofaudience interest.June 1st – Kristaps Valdnieks, thefilm’s producer, announces that theyare in talks with several countries toshow the film abroad.June 6th – Kremlin historian AlexanderDyukov, writing in his internetblog on www.livejournal.com, admitsthat he watched 2/3 of The SovietStory and had only one desire: “to killthe film’s director and set the LatvianEmbassy on fire”. The historian begandisputing the film even before it premiered,calling the filmmakers bastards.Among historians, Dyukov is known todoubt the validity of the Molotov-Ribbentroppact’s secret protocol.June 10th – The Occupation Museumof Latvia begins showing the film,joining the many municipal institutionsand schools that have expressedinterest in having the film shown outsidemovie theatres.Reviews of the film are publishedin the Russian media: Pravda, Izvestia,Komsomolskaja Pravda, NezavisimayaGazeta, and in European media: Le Figaro,Economist.com, Parliament.com,European Voice, Hospodarske Novinyand others.Tue Steen Müller, Filmkommentaren.dk:“The director has done hugeand impressive research in the archives.It’s a film you cannot escapefrom (..), it’s a film for public and globalTV channels.”FN | 6 FN | 7

RELEASEDIn Bed withSurrealism. SukutsDocumentary, 30’, Betacam SP, 4:3, colour, stereo,Latvia, 2007Created with the support of the State Culture CapitalFoundationDirector Ilona Bruver / Producer Ilona Bruver /Production company Kinolats /Contacts Kinolats, Kapseļu 3b, Rīga LV 1046 /tel.: + 371 2644 0907, art.is@apollo.lvThe internationalfilm festivalArsenals has beena fixture on theRiga scene for thelast 20 years. Ithas introduced new film aesthetic and wasone of the only creatively free events inSoviet times. Over the years the festival hasinfluenced culture and society in EasternEurope, continually dazzling us with itscreative point. The film is a portrait of thedirector, the father of Arsenals and the trustyknight of surrealism.Released September 2007RELEASEDKLUCIS.The Deconstructionof an ArtistDocumentary, 56’/90’, Digital Betacam, 16:9, colour, stereo,Latvia/ France/ GreeceCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia,State Culture Capital Foundation, Riga City Council, MEDIABroadcasting, LTV, LRT, ETV, YLE, RAIDirector Pēteris Krilovs / Producers Uldis Cekulis,Jean-Francois Le Corre /Production Company Vides Filmu Studija (Latvia)/ Co-production with Vivement Lundi (France)and ERT (Greece) / Contacts Vides Filmu Studija,Lapu 17, Rīga LV 1002 / tel.: + 371 6750 3588,vfs@vfs.lv, www.vfs.lvLatvian artistGustavs Klucisembraced thetechnologicalrevolution of theearly 20th centuryand applied it to his art, becoming a classicof Russian constructivism. He createdphotomontage and Lenin’s public image,and became the most important artist of theSoviets. Killed by Stalin’s regime, his artisticcareer poses many unanswered questions.This documentary reveals many secretsand intimate moments of his dramaticpersonality – the unequal duel between theArtist and the Power.Arts &CultureThe StationsDocumentary, 25’, Betacam SP, 4:3, b/w, stereo,Latvia, 2008Created with the support of National Film Centre of Latvia andState Culture Capital Foundation, Latvian TelevisionDirector Ilona Bruver / Producer Ilona Bruver /Production Company Kinolats /Contacts Kinolats, Kapseļu 3b, Rīga, LV 1046 /tel.: + 371 2644 0907, art.is@apollo.lvA film about theromantic days pastof railway stations,as seen throughthe eyes of an oldengine conductorand a cashier in one of the forgottenrailway stations that trains only pass by.It’s a lonely world, full of memories andrailway ambience. A story without words,but with music, sounds of the railroad andunrealized journeys that make their livesendurable.Released January 2008RELEASEDTO BE RELEASEDLife Unworthy of LifeDocumentary, 52’, HDV, 16:9, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia,the State Culture Capital Foundation, Media Plus, Riga CityCouncilDirector Dāvis Sīmanis / Producer RobertsVinovskis / Production Company LocomotiveProductions / Contacts Locomotive Productions,Bruņinieku 28-57, Rīga LV 1011 /tel.: +371 2929 8667, + 371 6729 8538,office@locomotive.lv, www.locomotive.lv.Love, hate,power and greedare just a smallspectrum of humancharacteristicsencoded in RichardWagner’s Die Walkure. It is universal operaand therefore creates a massive challengeto an artist’s imagination. Life Unworthyof Life is an investigation of the director’smentality into and beyond the reality ofstaging the Walkure at the Latvian NationalOpera. Taking the Walkure phenomen toan abstract level, the film seeks the fragilelink between a pragmatically constructedperformance and the world of theunconscious that lies within the music andthe narrative.To be released November 2008Loner and BacchanalDocumentary, 56’, HDV, 16:9, colour, stereo, LatviaDirector Andis Mizišs / Producer Laima Freimane/ Production Company Screen Vision / ContactsScreen Vision, Baznīcas 31, Rīga LV 1010 /tel.: +371 6729 1584, laima@screenvision.lv,www.screenvision.lvAnšlavs Eglītis(1906-1993) wasthe only Latvianwho was a memberof the HollywoodForeign PressAssociation for more than 30 years. He wasnot only a film critic, but also a talentedwriter, dramatist, and poet, known for hisdeep cultural knowledge, sparkling wit andimagination. Afraid that he would make upinterviews, his editor ordered him to takea photo together with each celebrity heinterviewed, thus creating a unique photoarchive.To be released March 2008The Sounds thatSun MakesArts &CultureMansur’s War DanceDocumentary, 52’, Betacam SP, 4:3, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the State Culture CapitalFoundationDirector Aija Bley / Producer Guntis Trekteris /Production Company Ego Media /Contacts Ego Media, Stabu 17, Rīga LV 1011 /tel.: + 371 6729 1720,egomedia@egomediaweb.com,www.egomediaweb.comMansur Musaevis a 12 year-oldChechen boywho has spenthis childhood inwartime and as arefugee. Mansur is an exceptionally talenteddancer who has been performing since hewas a toddler.To be released: June 2008RELEASEDNazis and BlondesDocumentary, 58’/ 84, HDV, 16:9, colour, stereo,Latvia/ Estonia, 2008Created with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia,the State Culture Capital Foundation, Estonian Film Foundation,EurimagesDirector Arbo Tammiksaar / Producers JaakKilmi, Askolds Saulītis / Production CompaniesSubjektiv Filma (Latvia), Kuukulgur Film OÜ(Estonia) / Contacts Subjektiv Filma,Stabu 17, Rīga LV 1011 / tel.: + 371 6729 5640,subjektivfilma@inbox.lvAbout the fate ofBaltic Film actorsin Soviet periodcinema. Not aboutthe glory – the bigroles and stardom– but about the darker side, the way thestereotype of the enemy was created by theSoviet era industry.Released June 2008Released May 2008TO BE RELEASED1x1Documentary, 52’, Betacam SP, 4:3, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia,State Culture Capital Foundation, Latvian TVDirectors Daina Rašenbauma, Gints Grūbe /Producer Inese Boka-Grūbe /Production Company Labvakar /Contacts Labvakar, Šmerļa 3, Rīga LV 1006 /tel.: + 371 6752 1414, birojs@e-labvakar.lv,www.labvakar.lvSince Latviaregainedindependence in1991, only a smallnumber of all thosewho emigratedduring the 1940’s returned, though many ofthem had been waiting for the occupationto end. This is about the first generation ofLatvian émigrés – those who came back,those who chose to stay in the West.To be released November 2008TO BE RELEASEDThe Latvianwith a $100 000 Priceon His HeadDocumentary, 52’, HDV, 14:3, colour, stereo, Latvia/ SwedenCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of LatviaDirector Una Celma / Producer Dace Siatkovska/ Production Company Latsfilma / Co-productionwith Lats Film (Sweden) / Contacts LatsfilmaČaka 33-43, Rīga LV 1011 / tel.: + 371 2947 5390,latsfilma@one.lvLars Vilks is aSwedish artist ofLatvian ancestry,a universityprofessor, sculptor,provocateur,scandal-maker and State Secretary of hisown micro-nation of Ladonia. He is theonly Swede and the only Latvian to have a$100 000 price on his head. But perhaps hiscreative and intellectual powers are worthmuch more?NudeDocumentary, 26’, Betacam SP, 4:3, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latviaand the State Culture Capital FoundationDirector Ināra Kolmane / Producer JānisJuhņēvičs / Production Company Film StudioDeviņi / Contacts Film Studio Deviņi, Šmerļa3-326, Rīga LV 1006 / tel.: + 371 6724 1688,devini@parks.lvSome people collectfamily albums, butaccomplished artsscholar, SarmīteSīle, takes a nudepicture of herselfevery ten years. Behind this unique series ofnude photos that span a lifetime is her story.To be released September 2008Documentary, 70’, HD, 4:3, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia,State Culture Capital FoundationDirectors Dāvis Sīmanis, Gints Grūbe /Producer Inese Boka-Grūbe /Production Company Mistrus Media /Contacts Mistrus Media, Stabu 33, K-211,Rīga LV 1011 / tel.: + 371 2925 9580,inese.boka@mistrusmedia.lvThe documentaryfilm The Soundsthat Sun Makesfollows the processof musical creationduring the uniquecollaborative project World’s Sun Songs.Seventeen contemporary well knowncomposers from all over the world who havemet in a single musical space, mediatedby the Latvian choir Kamēr… The filminvestigates the world of sonic creation ofseven composers involved in the project– Giya Kancheli of Tbilsi, Pēteris Vasksof Latvia, Leonid Desyatnikov of Russia,Polina Medyulianova of Uzbekistan, SirJohn Tavener of Great Britain, John LutherAdams of the United States, Ko Matsushitaof Japan.To be Released December 2008Perpetual RehearsalDocumentary, 2 x 52’, Betacam SP, 4:3, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia,Keren Rabinoviz Culture Foundation, IsraelDirector Herz Frank / Producer Herz Frank /Production Company Film Studio EFEF,Kaupo Filma / Contacts Film Studio EFEF,Kr. Valdemāra 18-1, Rīga LV 1010 /tel.: + 371 6724 2611, herzfrank@yahoo.comObserving therehearsals ofYevgenij Arye, thefounder and artisticdirector of Israel’sworld-famousGesher Theatre over a ten-year period,shows an artist aiming for the ideal.To be released July 2008To be released May 2009FN | 8 FN | 9

600 StoriesThat Have to be ToldDocumentary, 52’, Betacam SP, 4:3, colour, mono, Latvia, 2007Director Dzintra Geka / Producer Dzintra Geka /Production Company SB /Contacts SB, Graudu 41 A, Rīga LV 1058 /tel.: + 371 6762 9960, dzintrag@inbox.lvwww.sibirijasberni.lvInterviews wereconducted overa seven yearperiod with 670people who weredeported to Siberiaas children in 1941. Fragments of theirmemories form a mosaic revealing theirpast experiences of losing fathers, mothers,brothers and sisters. Time heals, butnothing is forgotten and the stories must betold.Released June 2007RELEASEDThe Soviet StoryDocumentary, 52’/ 86’, DV, 4:3, colour, stereo, Latvia, 2008Created with the support of European Parliament,Riga City CouncilDirector Edvīns Šnore / Producer KristapsValdnieks / Production Company Labvakar /Contacts Labvakar, Šmerļa 3-326, Rīga LV 1006 /tel.: + 371 2919 9400, sovietstory@gmail.comThis is a story of anAllied power, whichhelped the Nazisto fight Jews andwhich slaughteredits own people onan industrial scale. Assisted by the West,this power triumphed on May 9th, 1945. Itscrimes were made taboo, and the completestory of Europe’s most murderous regimehas never been told. Until now…Released April 2008RELEASEDDebt to AfghanistanDocumentary, 58’, HDV, 16:9, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia /State Culture Capital Foundation / MEDIADirector Askolds Saulītis / Producer AskoldsSaulītis / Production Company Subjektiv Filma /Contacts Subjektiv Filma, Stabu 17,Rīga LV 1011 / tel.: + 371 6729 5640,subjektivfilma@inbox.lv, www.35mm.lvThe politologistAtis Lejiņš setsout on a risky tripto Afghanistanto find a formermujahideencommandant, to return his heart’s debt forsaving his life during the USSR invasionin the 80ies. At that time also young menfrom Latvia fought and died in Afghanistanwithout the right to choose. Following thetragic events of September 11, 2001, in NewYork and the fall of the Taliban regime,Latvians are back to Afghanistan – as part ofNATO missions.Released May 2008RELEASEDTO BE RELEASEDAgapitova and IgarkaDocumentary, 52’, Betacam SP, 4:3, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of LatviaDirector Dzintra Geka / Producer Dzintra Geka /Production company SB / Contacts SB,Graudu 41 A, Rīga LV 1058 /tel.: + 371 6762 9960,dzintrag@inbox.lv, www.sibirijasberni.lvIn 1941 almost4,000 childrenunder the age of16 were deportedto Siberia. Somereturned to Latvia,many perished, and many were left in exile,where they had their own children. Whatis their children’s fate? Naģežda Āriņa andAnatolijs Taurenis were born in the 1950s inpermanently frozen Igarka. Their mothershad been childhood friends in Latvia, beforethe deportation. Nadja managed to returnto Latvia and now sells souvenirs, but forTaurenis Latvia is still a dream...In the fallof 2007, Naģežda heads to Igarka to visitTaurenis.To be released November 2008HistoryRELEASEDLittle Bird’s DiaryDocumentary animation, 24’, Digital Betacam, 16:9, colour,stereo, Latvia, 2007Created with the support of the National Film Centre of Latviaand the State Culture Capital FoundationDirector Edmunds Jansons / Producer BrunoAščuks / Production Company Studija Centrums /Contacts Studija Centrums, Alberta 7-8,Rīga LV 1010 / tel.: + 371 6733 3043,bruno.ascuks@studijacentrums.lvwww.studijacentrums.lvThe first Latviandocumentaryanimation film isbased on uniquedrawings from thediary of 80 year-oldIrīna Piļke, encompassing a period from theend of WWII until the beginning of the 80s.These drawings, where the author appearsas a little bird, show everything aroundher…everything we call life. Through theeyes of the little bird, Chiz, we get a glimpseof an earlier age.Released September 2007TO BE RELEASEDControversial HistoryDocumentary, 52’, Betacam SP, 4:3, b&w, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia /the State Culture Capital FoundationDirector Ināra Kolmane / Producer JānisJuhņēvičs / Production Company Film StudioDeviņi / Contacts Film Studio Deviņi, Šmerļa3-326, Rīga LV 1006 / tel.: + 371 6724 1688,devini@parks.lvThe whole truthabout Latviansoldiers has yet tobe unravelled. Werethey involved withthe Nazi genocideagainst Jews on the Western Front? Werethey fighting for communist ideals on theEastern Front? In a follow-up to The LatvianLegion (2000), eyewitnesses and archivematerials tell the vivid story of the destiniesof Latvian soldiers in WWII.To be released December 2008HistoryRELEASEDKLUCIS.The Deconstructionof an ArtistDocumentary, 56’/90’, Digital Betacam, 16:9, colour, stereo,Latvia/ France/ GreeceCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia,State Culture Capital Foundation, Riga City Council, MEDIABroadcasting, LTV, LRT, ETV, YLE, RAIDirector Pēteris Krilovs / Producers Uldis Cekulis,Jean-Francois Le Corre /Production Company Vides Filmu Studija (Latvia)/ Co-production with Vivement Lundi (France)and ERT (Greece) / Contacts Vides Filmu Studija,Lapu 17, Rīga LV 1002 / tel.: + 371 6750 3588,vfs@vfs.lv, www.vfs.lvLatvian artistGustavs Klucisembraced thetechnologicalrevolution of theearly 20th centuryand applied it to his art, becoming a classicof Russian constructivism. He createdphotomontage and Lenin’s public image,and became the most important artist of theSoviets. Killed by Stalin’s regime, his artisticcareer poses many unanswered questions.This documentary reveals many secretsand intimate moments of his dramaticpersonality – the unequal duel between theArtist and the Power.Released May 2008RELEASEDDebt to AfghanistanDocumentary, 58’, HDV, 16:9, colour, stereo, Latvia, 2008Created with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia, State Culture Capital Foundation, MEDIADirector Askolds Saulītis / Producer Askolds Saulītis / Production Company Subjektiv Filma /Contacts Subjektiv Filma, Stabu 17, Rīga LV 1011 / tel.: + 371 6729 5640, subjektivfilma@inbox.lv,www.35mm.lvThe politologist Atis Lejiņš sets out on a risky trip to Afghanistan tofind a former mujahideen commandant, to return his heart’s debtfor saving his life during the USSR invasion in the 80ies. At that timealso young men from Latvia fought and died in Afghanistan withoutthe right to choose. Following the tragic events of September 11,2001, in New York and the fall of the Taliban regime, Latvians areback to Afghanistan – as part of NATO missions.Released May 2008TO BE RELEASEDI Inspect Bad ShipsDocumentary, 52’, Digital Betacam, 16:9, colour, stereo, Latvia/ FranceCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia, LTV, MEDIA Development and Provence Cote d’AzurDirector Roy Lekus / Producers Uldis Cekulis, Roy Lekus / Production Company Vides Filmu Studija /Co-production with Private Joke Productions (France) / Contacts Vides Filmu Studija, Lapu 17,Rīga LV 1002 / tel.: + 371 6750 3588, vfs@vfs.lv, www.vfs.lvFocussing on the dramatic stories of two ships, Victor and Olga Jthat never made it back to their home ports in Latvia and Greece,this documentary investigates mistreatment and abuse of crewsin maritime transportation. Based on director Roy Lekus’ originalfootage, the investigation takes us to France, England, Latvia,Bulgaria and Ghana. As the stories of the Victor and the Olga Junfold, they yield a picture of cynical indifference on the part of rogue ship owners whoflout the basic human rights of crews and of legal impotence on the part of national andinternational authorities.To be released October 2009TO BE RELEASEDMay 4 RepublicDocumentary, 70’, Digital Betacam, 16:9, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia, the State Culture Capital FoundationDirector Antra Cilinska / Producer Antra Cilinska / Production Company Juris Podnieks Studio /Contacts Juris Podnieks Studio, Citadeles 2, Rīga LV 1010 / tel.: + 371 6721 6967, jps@jps.lv, www.jps.lvLegal proceedings against the Banka Baltija, which went bankruptin 1995, have been going on unsuccessfully for years. The issueis why one of the first of newly-independent Latvia’s banks wasdeliberately brought down, losing the investment money of almostevery other family in Latvia. It’s one of the most glaring examples ofbrute capitalism in Latvia’s recent history, but it has been followedby others – from offshore transit-business schemes, to high-level systematic corruption instate commissions. Latvia’s entry into the EU and NATO seems to have changed the formand means of what goes on, but the story of how democracy and market economics workonly in so far as they are not replaced by ties between money, power and crime continues.This, right now, is quite possibly a breaking point or decisive moment determining what willend or go on.To be released December 2009PoliticsFN 2 | 10FN | 11 2

Three Men and a Fish PondThe Secrets of the Pyramid of DjoserDocumentary, 52’, HD, 16:9, colour, stereo, Latvia / Created with the support of National Film Centre of LatviaDirector Romualds Pipars / Producer Baiba Urbāne / Production Company Film Studio Ģilde / Contacts Film Studio Ģilde, Amatu 5, Rīga LV 1941 /tel.: + 371 6721 0022, pipars@mailbox.lv, www.gilde.lvTo be released April 2009Natural History & WildlifeLatvian scientists – archaeologists, photogrammetry and radar specialists, architects, geologists, historians,computer programmers and others, banded together to create a unique technology for exploring archaeologicalsites, and made a sensational find in 2007. In the oldest stone building in the world – Egypt’s Pyramid of Djoser – theLatvian scientific expedition discovered new underground rooms and a network of galleries. This new informationhas forced a revaluation of previous assumptions about the role and function of pyramids.SocialIssuesRELEASEDDocumentary, 52’, Digital Betacam, 16:9, colour, stereo, Latvia, 2008Created with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia, the State Culture Capital Foundation and Latvian TelevisionDirectors Māris Maskalāns, Laila Pakalniņa / Producer Uldis Cekulis / Production Company Vides Filmu Studija /Contacts Vides Filmu Studija, Lapu 17, Rīga LV 1002 / tel.: + 371 6750 3588, vfs@vfs.lv, www.vfs.lvThree elderly country bachelors idle away their time amidst semi-wild nature, closer to birds and pond fish than tohumans.Released May 2008Science & TechnologyTO BE RELEASEDRELEASEDLittle Bird’s DiaryDocumentary animation, 24’, Digital Betacam, 16:9, colour,stereo, Latvia, 2007Created with the support of the National Film Centre of Latviaand the State Culture Capital FoundationDirector Edmunds Jansons / Producer BrunoAščuks / Production Company Studija Centrums /Contacts Studija Centrums, Alberta 7-8, Rīga,LV 1010 / tel.: + 371 6733 3043,bruno.ascuks@studijacentrums.lv,www.studijacentrums.lvThe first Latviandocumentaryanimation film isbased on uniquedrawings from thediary of 80 year-oldIrīna Piļke, encompassing a period from theend of WWII until the beginning of the 80s.These drawings, where the author appearsas a little bird, show everything aroundher…everything we call life. Through theeyes of the little bird, Chiz, we get a glimpseof an earlier age.RELEASEDThree Menand a Fish PondDocumentary, 52’, Digital Betacam, 16:9, colour, stereo,Latvia, 2008Created with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia,the State Culture Capital Foundation and Latvian TelevisionDirectors Māris Maskalāns, Laila Pakalniņa /Producer Uldis Cekulis / Production CompanyVides Filmu Studija / Contacts Vides FilmuStudija, Lapu 17, Rīga LV 1002 /tel.: + 371 6750 3588, vfs@vfs.lv, www.vfs.lvThree elderly country bachelors idle awaytheir time amidst semi-wild nature, closer tobirds and pond fish than to humans.Released May 2008Aging with JoyDocumentary, 52’, HDV, 16:9, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latviaand LTVDirector Ilze Ramāne / Producers Valdis Ābols,Lukas Trimonis / Production Company VidesFilmu Studija / Co-production with UltraNominum (Lithuania) /Contacts Vides Filmu Studija, Lapu 17,Rīga LV 1002 / tel.: + 371 6750 3588,vfs@vfs.lv, www.vfs.lvThree elderlyladies – Zenta(82), Elza (90) andIlga (73) – meetevery Tuesday at aCulture House in asuburb of Riga to take part in rehearsals with40-odd other ladies of the “Granny Choir”.Despite their age, low income and healthissues, they appear to know how to grow oldwith dignity, a sense of humour and, as itseems, even joy.To be released November 2008Double Portraitof a CoinDocumentary, 2 x 52’, Digital Betacam, 4:3, colour, stereo,LatviaCreated with the support of National Film Centre of Latvia andthe State Culture Capital FoundationDirector Romualds Pipars / Producer BaibaUrbāne / Production Company Film Studio Ģilde /Contacts Film Studio Ģilde, Amatu 5,Rīga LV 1941 / tel.: + 371 6721 0022,pipars@mailbox.lv, www.gilde.lvUsing previouslyunpublishedfootage shot byamateurs in the eraof 8mm cameras,the film is about thesimple human life of those who lived in theSoviet Latvia from 1940 until 1991, a timewhen a double-moral reigned in society.To be released September 2008TO BE RELEASEDThe AntechamberDocumentary, 26’, HDV, 16:9, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the Support of the National Film Centre of Latvia,the State Culture Capital Foundation and Riga City CouncilDirector Andris Gauja / Producer Valdis Ābols /Production Company Vides Filmu Studija /Contacts Vides Filmu Studija, Lapu 17,Rīga LV 1002 / tel.: + 371 6750 3588,vfs@vfs.lv, www.vfs.lvThe only thing wecan be sure of inthis world is thatone day we shalldie. In spite of that,we tend to live ourlives as if it is never going to happen. Butthere are many among us who are deprivedof the right to think that way. Victor (31) hasa rare form of cancer in an advanced stage.Moreover, his wife is about to divorce him.Trapped in the antechamber of death andwith his family falling to pieces, he knowsthat perhaps the most important decisionsof his life must be taken here and now.To be released February 2009homo@lvDocumentary, 52’, HDV, 16:9 colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia, the State Culture Capital Foundation and EU MEDIA Plus programmeDirector Kaspars Goba / Producer Ieva Ūbele / Production Company ELM MEDIA /Contacts ELM MEDIA, Ganību dambis 15-47, Rīga LV 1045 / tel.: +371 6729 9722, elmmedia@elmmedia.lvThe film will reveal the multi-layered conflict and heated debatesbetween gays and lesbians trying to come ‘out of the closet’ in Latviaand their numerous opponents praising nationalism, Christianvalues and traditional family in the post-Soviet environment.Observation of the conflict through personal stories of mainprotagonists will provide an opportunity for the society to faceits own fear, hatred and aggression and to understand its causes and to see the roots ofradicalism in the Latvian society.To be released September 2008I Inspect Bad ShipsDestination LostDocumentary, 52’, HDV, 16:9, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre ofLatvia, the State Culture Capital Foundation, EU MEDIA Plusprogramme, Soros Foundation-Latvia and US Embassy in LatviaDirector Kaspars Goba / Producer Ieva Ūbele /Production Company ELM MEDIA /Contacts Ganību dambis 15-47, Rīga LV 1045 /tel.: +371 6729 9722,elmmedia@elmmedia.lvA story about threeSomali teenagerswho as one of thefirst ‘real’ refugeesin Latvia are tryingto start a new lifein our country. By depicting their everydaylife, the attitude of people around them,as well as events in their home country,the refugee issue will be touched on fromthree perspectives. The film will containpowerful personal narratives, the viewpointof a society that has grown hostile towardsthe immigrants, and will look at the refugeequestion in the context of current worldpolitics and numerous conflicts around theglobe.To be released March 2009Documentary, 52’, Digital Betacam, 16:9, colour, stereo, Latvia/ FranceCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia, LTV, MEDIA Development and Provence Cote d’AzurDirector Roy Lekus / Producers Uldis Cekulis, Roy Lekus / Production Company Vides Filmu Studija /Co-production with Private Joke Productions (France) / Contacts Vides Filmu Studija, Lapu 17,Rīga LV 1002 / tel.: + 371 6750 3588, vfs@vfs.lv, www.vfs.lvFocussing on the dramatic stories of two ships, Victor and Olga Jthat never made it back to their home ports in Latvia and Greece,this documentary investigates mistreatment and abuse of crewsin maritime transportation. Based on director Roy Lekus’ originalfootage, the investigation takes us to France, England, Latvia,Bulgaria and Ghana. As the stories of the Victor and the Olga J unfold,they yield a picture of cynical indifference on the part of rogue ship owners who flout thebasic human rights of crews and of legal impotence on the part of national and internationalauthorities.Released September 2007To be released October 20092 2FN | 12FN | 13

TO BE RELEASEDThe Man fromVarka KruDocumentary, 52’/80’, Super 16 mm, 4:3, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia,State Culture Capital FoundationDirector Viesturs Kairišs / Producer GuntisTrekteris / Production Company Ego Media /Contacts Ego Media, Stabu 17, Rīga LV 1011 /tel.: + 371 6729 1720,egomedia@egomediaweb.com,www.egomediaweb.comMārtiņš Rubenisis known as themost famousLatvian luger whowon Latvia itsfirst ever WinterOlympic medal. In the circles of alternativeculture he is known as DJ Betons of VarkaKru. Mārtiņš also became the centre ofinternational mass media attention when heparticipated in an organized hunger strikein front of the Chinese Embassy in Riga in2006. As a practitioner of Falun Gong and anOlympian, he refuses to accept China as thevenue of the 2008 Olympics.To be released September 2009PalavaniDocumentary, 52’, HDV, 16:9, colour, stereo, Latvia/ GeorgiaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia,Latvian Television and Georgian TelevisionDirector Temo Tsava / Producers Uldis Cekulis,Temo Tsava / Production Company Vides FilmuStudija / Co-production with Palestra (Georgia) /Contacts Vides Filmu Studija, Lapu 17,Rīga LV 1002 / tel.: + 371 6750 3588,vfs@vfs.lv, www.vfs.lvIt is a story abouttalent, aboutindividuality both incharacter and fate,about the possibilityof becoming eithera champion or a shepherd… Palavani is notabout being the strongest, it is much moreabout moral strength and the way you aretreating people and things around you. It isabout being a personality.To be released May 2009Mansur’s War DanceDocumentary, 52’, Betacam SP, 4:3, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the State Culture CapitalFoundationDirector Aija Bley / Producer Guntis Trekteris /Production company Ego Media /Contacts Ego Media, Stabu 17, Rīga LV 1011 /tel.: + 371 6729 1720,egomedia@egomediaweb.com,www.egomediaweb.comMansur Musaevis a 12 year-oldChechen boywho has spenthis childhood inwartime and as arefugee. Mansur is an exceptionally talenteddancer who has been performing since hewas a toddler.To be released June 2008TideDocumentary, 52’, HD, 4:3, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latviaand the State Culture Capital FoundationDirector Ivars Zviedris / Producer Ivars Zviedris/ Production Company Studija AVE / ContactsStudija AVE, Miera 39-27, Rīga LV 1001 /tel.: + 371 6737 0087, ave@deponet.lvIn the year 2007,300 000 passengerstook the flight fromRiga to Dublin.Valdis and his shellpickers comprisea fraction of Latvians living in Irelandnow. They lead a temporary life betweendifferent worlds, kind of repeating thehistory of Latvia in the Soviet times or thefirst independence. The "shell-pickers" dailyroutine is set by the TIDE. During low tidethey pick the shells, during high tide theysleep. The Irish sea is 4 times saltier than theBaltic sea. Also the life here is often saltierthan at home. Almost everybody suffersof the nervous tension. For some it’s moreacute, for some it’s washed over by the saltywater.Social IssuesMy Mother’s FarmDocumentary, 52’, Betacam SP, 4:3, colour, stereo,Latvia/ NorwayCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia,Latvian TelevisionDirector Ilze Burkovska – Jacobsen /Producer Guntis Trekteris / Production CompanyEgo Media / Co-production with Bivrost film &TV (Norway) / Contacts Ego Media, Stabu 17,Rīga LV 1011 / tel.: + 371 6729 1720,egomedia@egomediaweb.com,www.egomediaweb.comFor the post-wargeneration inLatvia, the dreamof the “good olddays” became asignificant partof the process of regaining independence.Dream of the restoring the countryside tothe way it was during the first independenceis only now seen by most as naïve andunreal. Six episodes that reflect the historicaldevelopment in the nation parallel to thefate of the director’s mother are used toexplore the effects of political order oneveryday lives. Though she is now leavingthe countryside, the process of moving herlife provides a visual stimulus for memories.To be released June 2008Snow CrazyDocumentary, 52’, HDV, 16:9, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latviaand Latvian TelevisionDirector Laila Pakalniņa / Producer Uldis Cekulis/ Production Company Vides Filmu Studija /Contacts Vides Filmu Studija, Lapu 17,Rīga LV 1002 / tel.: + 371 6750 3588,vfs@vfs.lv, www.vfs.lvDownhill skiing isthe most popularsport in Latviadespite the factthat there are nomountains. Indeed,there can’t be too much optimism in life,and this will certainly be an optimistic filmabout people doing what they want, defyinggeography and logic.To be released June 2009TO BE RELEASEDThe Tourist (Hello,where are you from?)Documentary, 52 / 90, HDV, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latviaand the State Culture Capital Foundation, Media Plus,Riga City CouncilDirector Roberts Vinovskis / Producer RobertsVinovskis / Production Company LocomotiveProductions / Contacts Locomotive ProductionsBruņinieku 28-57, Rīga LV 1011 /tel.: +371 2929 8667, + 371 6729 8538,office@locomotive.lv, www.locomotive.lv„Hello, where areyou from?“ is thequestion touristsmost frequentlyhear. I am fromLatvia, a smallEastern European country increasinglyvisited by tourists. I am thirty years old, andduring the last twelve years I have madeseveral films and visited 38 countries. I canbe fairly described as a „professional tourist“.Now I‘m returning to some of the places Ihave visited in order to find an answer to acouple of seemingly simple questions – whatis a tourist and what does a tourist expectand get from the places he or she visits?To be released December 2008Social IssuesRELEASED RELEASED TO BE RELEASEDStuck in Stikine Working Class Ballet The Man from Varka KruDocumentary, 82’, HDV, 16:9, colour, stereo, Latvia, 2007Director Uģis Olte / Producers Uģis Olte,Uldis Cekulis / Production Company Klipu filmudarbnīca / Co-production with Vides FilmuStudija (Latvia), Endurance Logistics (Latvia) /Contacts Vides Filmu Studija, Lapu 17,Rīga LV 1002 / tel.: + 371 6750 3588,vfs@vfs.lv, www.vfs.lvFive men fromLatvia – 2bussinessmen, anexperiencedtraveller, acameraman andtheir tour guide head out to tame the fastestflowing river in North America – Stikine. Butunexpected winter sets in, placing them ina situaltion that could cost them their lives.Despite locals’ advice, men decide to presson, leading them to dramatic events, thatwere not supposed to happen.Released September 2007The Women andthe GuardDocumentary, 20’, HDV, 4:3, colour, stereo, LatviaDirector Una Celma / Producer Dace Siatkovska /Production Company Latsfilma /Contacts Latsfilma, Čaka 33-43, Riga LV 1011 /tel.: + 371 2947 5390, latsfilma@one.lvThis documentarywill trace theparallel lives of amilitary policemanassigned to anAfghan women’sprison under a European Union assistanceprogram, and a woman, Habiba, and herchild, imprisoned there because she wasabandoned by her husband. A philosophicalstudy in the contrasts between Eastern/Islamic lifestyles and Western goodintentions, and how a policeman’s missionbecomes paradoxically entangled with hisAfghani prisoner.To be released April 2009Documentary, 49’, HDV, colour, stereo, Latvia, 2007Created with the support of the National Film Centre of Latviaand the State Culture Capital FoundationDirector Roberts Vinovskis / Producer RobertsVinovskis / Production Company LocomotiveProductions / Contacts Locomotive Productions,Bruņinieku 28-57, Rīga LV 1011 /tel.: +371 2929 8667, + 371 6729 8538,office@locomotive.lv, www.locomotive.lvThe Europeanchampionshipfootball madness,drunken „experts“at the provincialstadium, thebackstage of the National team, ravingfans on the streets of Paris and Lisbon.Football is a sport and entertainment thoughpossibly there is more to the game. In thefilm „Working Class Ballet“ philosophers,linguists, neuropsychologist and footballcoaches contemplate the parallels betweenfootball and the drama of life, forming anunusual tale on what football is or could be.Women in4 Square MetresDocumentary, 52’, HDV, 4:3, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia,MEDIADirector Una Celma / Producer Dace Siatkovska /Production Company Latsfilma /Contacts Latsfilma, Čaka 33-43, Rīga LV 1011 /tel.: + 371 2947 5390, latsfilma@one.lvStatistics say that40% of Latvia’sdefence personnelare female. Whydo girls chose amilitary career – forthe pay, for self-fulfilment or patriotism?What do these women do in the day-todayoperations? What is the role of womenin today’s society? The answers to thesequestions come through discovering the lifeand work of five Latvian women in variousmilitary jobs.To be released December 2008Sports & AdventureDocumentary, 52’/ 80’, Super 16 mm, 4:3, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia,State Culture Capital FoundationDirector Viesturs Kairišs / Producer GuntisTrekteris / Production Company Ego Media /Contacts Ego Media, Stabu 17, Rīga LV 1011 /tel.: + 371 6729 1720,egomedia@egomediaweb.com,www.egomediaweb.comMārtiņš Rubenis isknown as the mostfamous Latvianluger who wonLatvia its first everWinter Olympicmedal. In the circles of alternative culture heis known as DJ Betons of Varka Kru. Mārtiņšalso became the centre of internationalmass media attention when he participatedin an organized hunger strike in front ofthe Chinese Embassy in Riga in 2006. As apractitioner of Falun Gong and an Olympian,he refuses to accept China as the venue of the2008 Olympics.To be released October 2009Released September 2007To be released September 20092 2FN | 14FN | 15

The Church will Arrivein the EveningDocumentary, 52’, HDV, 16:9, colour, stereo, Latvia, 2007Created with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia,the State Culture Capital Foundation, Baltic Media Centre,Denmark, MEDIA Development and Latvian TelevisionDirector Andis Mizišs / Producer Uldis Cekulis /Production Company Vides Filmu Studija /Contacts Vides Filmu Studija, Lapu 17,Rīga LV 1002 / tel.: + 371 6750 3588,vfs@vfs.lv, www.vfs.lvIn the ice-freemonths of the yearFather Gennadycaptains a bargetransformed into afloating OrthodoxChurch on a mission trip along the Volga-Don Canal to the remote Russian villages.At each port of call Father Gennady leadschurch services, distributes holy sacramentsand hears confessions. But some unexpectedcircumstances cause the mission tosuddenly take a rather different turn.Released September 2007TO BE RELEASEDChild of the Big BirdDocumentary, 52’, HDV, 16:9, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia,the State Culture Capital Foundation and Latvian TelevisionDirector Andis Mizišs / Producer Uldis Cekulis/ Production Company Vides Filmu Studija /Contacts Vides Filmu Studija, Lapu 17,Rīga LV 1002 / tel.: + 371 6750 3588,vfs@vfs.lv, www.vfs.lvAt the end of the1950s, an airplanecarrying a group ofLatvian Brazilianmissionaries landsin the jungles ofsouthern Bolivia. Among the missionariesthere is a baby, Samuel. Fifty years later,Samuel has become the soul of the Baptistmission, and the only confidante of theAyore Indians trapped in a dead endbetween the jungles and civilization.To be released October 2008RELEASED TO BE RELEASEDWorldÁigi (Time)Documentary, 26’/52’, Digital Betacam, 16:9, colour, stereo,Latvia / EstoniaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia,Estonian Film Foundation, Estonian Cultural Endowment, ETV,LTV, LRT, SVT and MEDIA BroadcastingDirector Dainis Kļava / Producers Uldis Cekulis,Riho Vastrik / Production Company Vides FilmuStudija / Co-production with Vesilind (Estonia) /Contacts Vides Filmu Studija, Lapu 17,Rīga LV 1002 / tel.: + 371 6750 3588,vfs@vfs.lv, www.vfs.lvA reindeerherdsman’s life is asgently monotonousas the tundraitself. It flows insynchrony with thelife of the reindeer herd from one migrationto the next. The time between these twopoints belongs entirely to the herdsman. It’sáigi – the herdsman’s time.To be released July 2008TO BE RELEASEDTo Kill or to DieDocumentary, 56’, HDV, 16:9, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia /the State Culture Capital Foundation, Latvian TVDirector Andis Mizišs / Producer Laima Freimane/ Co-producer Uldis Cekulis / ProductionCompany Screen Vision / Co-production withVides Filmu Studija / Contacts Vides FilmuStudija, Lapu 17, Rīga LV 1002 /tel.: + 371 6750 3588, vfs@vfs.lv, www.vfs.lvThousandsof adventurelovers still readthe bestsellingTIGRERO, the storyof the Latvian-bornSasha Siemel’s life in the steaming junglesof Brazil. He was not afraid to challengea jaguar to a fair fight, being the onlyknown white man to learn to hunt themthe Indian way – with a spear. He becameincredibly popular in the 1960s by starringin Hollywood and National Geographicfilms, commercials and even comic strips.This film will uncover his unique personalitythrough unseen film footage, testimoniesof his former hunting companions and thewitty stories of his widow.TO BE RELEASEDWho Was Ed.L?Documentary, 56’, HDV, 16:9, colour, stereo, LatviaCreated with the support of the National Film Centre of Latvia,the State Culture Capital Foundation, Latvian TVDirector Andis Mizišs / Producer Laima Freimane/ Co-producer Uldis Cekulis / ProductionCompany Screen Vision / Co-production withVides Filmu Studija / Contacts Vides FilmuStudija, Lapu 17, Rīga LV 1002 /tel.: + 371 6750 3588, vfs@vfs.lv, www.vfs.lvThe extraordinaryinventor EdLeedskalnin is saidto have discoveredthe secret ofpyramid buildingof Ancient Egypt. In the course of twentyyears he single-handedly cut and movedover large distances huge blocks of coralrock to build the legendary Coral Castle inFlorida. Since then, Ed’s creation has beenendlessly researched and examined, leavingthe researchers as puzzled as ever. The filmwill unveil some of the countless legends,theories and stories around the Coral Castle.To be released January 2009Snow-CrazyComing soon self-ironic documentary by Laila Pakalniņa, 52 minDownhill skiing is the most popular sport in Latviadespite the fact that there are no mountains. Indeed,there can’t be too much optimism in life, and this willcertainly be an optimistic film about people doing whatthey want, defying geography and logic.In former times Latvians cleared woodland for tillage.Nowadays they do the same but for a different purpose:to recover land for downhill skiing courses.Main Characters:Edmunds, a mechanic. If it were not for his passion fordownhill skiing, he would never have started his ownbusiness of designing, constructing and installing skilifts. Now apart from being a skilled skier he is also aprosperous businessman. On weekends and during theholidays Edmunds together with his wife and childrengo to a ski resort and takes one of his self-made ski liftsup the “mountain”.Linda. Men like Linda, and vice-versa. But for a Latvianwoman it’s far from enough. When at some point sherealized that she was neither skiing nor snowboarding,she made her choice in favour of the snowboardbecause “I went snowboarding today” sounds moreimpressive to her than “I went skiing today”.Gints Puķīte, a businessman. An East European businessmanestablishing a flourishing enterprise in Austria.Gints began with a hotel in the Austrian ski resortBad Gastein; today he owns a Latvian Ski Centre in theAlps. In Bad Gastein, amidst signboards in German youcan also see “Slēpju noma” (Ski rental) signs in Latvian.It is also the venue of Latvian championships in downhillskiing. And why not – after all, our national flags areso similar!Pensioners. Latvian pensioners can’t be seen in Paris orLondon because they are racing down the hills in Latvia.Many ski centres in Latvia offer free admittance for theretired, provided they wear helmets. You can see a lotof old people wearing all sorts of protective headgear(including builder’s helmets). Quite often they come inpairs – a grandpa and a grandma, or two grandpas. Andthey are excellent skiers.Juris Žagars, actor and ski centre owner. Juris is one ofthe most popular actors in Latvia. For many Latvianshe is the icon of the “fatal lover”; for many he is the Godbecause he has snow and downhill skiing courses at“Zagarkalns” (Zagar’s Hill), the most popular ski centrein Latvia. It has also become extremely popular withthe Lithuanians who, according to Latvians, are lousyskiers and they jump the queues at the ski lifts. But infact, there is no hill there. The actor has set up his business… in a pit.To be released December 20082 2FN | 16FN | 17

12 th Baltic Sea Forum for DocumentariesFN | 18WhenSeptember 6-7, 2008WhereRiga, LatviaWhat is ForumThe Baltic Sea Forum is a documentary film project market organized by the National Film Centre of Latvia,MEDIA Desk Latvia, European Documentary Network and Producers Association of Latvia andsupported by MEDIA 2007 programme and Baltic Films.Meeting Point of Documentary FilmmakersThe Baltic Sea Forum brings together Baltic, Polish, Russian, Belarusian, Ukrainian and Georgian producers andcommissioning editors and representatives of film funds from all over Europe,looking for new and exciting documentary projects mostly from the Baltic region and Eastern Europe.A total of 25 projects will be selected to be pitched at Baltic Sea Forum to the panel of 12 commissioning editorsfrom European TV stations and film funds.Co-production workshopCo-production workshop will be held on September 3-5 to be lead by experienced and acknowledged European documentaryfilm experts. Participants will be introduced to the latest developments in European documentary film market,along with presentation of case studies of well-known international co-productions, and given insight to co-productioncontracts and other legal issues regarding co-production.The main focus will be on project development, story-telling and developing presentation skills.The friendly and informal atmosphere of the Forum events and receptions provide an excellent place for networking amongdocumentary film producers and filmmakers from many countries and presents platform for future collaborations.Film ScreeningsSelection of high-end documentary films on social issues will be screened on the week before the Forum andwill be accessible to all Forum participants and the general public.New Forum DevelopmentsFor the first time in Forum history film projects from all over the Europe related to the Baltic countries are admitted.Welcome to the Baltic Sea Forum for Documentaries,welcome to the beautiful Riga in September!More informationwww.mediadesk.lvFN | 19

ComeSee New HorizonsFN | 20FN | 21

The National Film Centre of Latvia is a state financedgovernmental organisation overseeingthe film branch in Latvia, granting governmentalfinancial support to Latvian films, preservingthe national audio-visual heritage, promotingLatvian films abroad, co-operating with the relevantinternational and national organisationsand organising training for Latvian film professionals.We are members of the EURIMAGESFoundation as of 2001 and MEDIA Plus as ofJanuary, 2002. At major international events wework together with Estonians and Lithuaniansunder the co-operation platform BALTIC FILMS.We are keen on attracting film, television, andvideo production to Latvia, stimulating inwardinvestment, creating employment opportunitiesfor creative staff, technicians and supportservice companies.www.nfc.lvPublished by:National Film Centre of LatviaPeitavas 10/12, Rīga LV 1050, LatviaTel + 371 6735 8878Fax + 371 6735 8877nfc@nfc.gov.lv