We’ve already told you about the festive concert program planned for Rīga over coming days, so let’s sidestep the Christmas theme and focus on some other cultural happenings instead. What about a visit to the movies? Here are three films to enjoy plus one bonus stocking-filler for kids.
If you’re in Latvia but yet to see ‘Straume’ (‘Flow’ in English) there’s really no excuse. Earlier this week it was named on the Academy Award shortlist for best foreign film (as well as best animated feature) so this is one of your last chances to claim you saw it before most other people did. After it wins an Oscar EVERYONE will have seen it. Imagine the embarassment of admitting it was playing for months just around the corner but you never bothered. Don’t worry about subtitles – there aren’t any, for the simple reason there is no dialogue. It’s on general release everywhere.
Latvians are particularly good at making documentary films and while watching a documentary about a large infrastructure project in the Baltic states might not sound like the most interesting way to spend an hour, Nord Express makes for compelling viewing as it traces the endless twists and turns of the troubled Rail Baltica project, as described in our recent review . It’s on widespread release.
If you’re in the mood for melodrama, the cosy Kino Bize in Rīga is the place to head on Saturday, 21 December for a special screening of the new film ‘Cildenie’ (The Exalted) about an apparently super-successful middle-aged couple who find themsleves embroiled in a corruption scandal that strains their relationship to breaking point. Everyone loves a good corruption scandal! A screening at 16:00 comes with an introduction by director Juris Kursietis. With a bit of luck he’ll also be there at the end to explain the bits you didn’t understand.
Another cozy independent movie house, Kinosuns , is turning Santa Claus by offering a series of free Christmas international screenings for kids. Films include Panda Bear in Africa, Die Chaosschwestern und Pinguin Paul, Mary e lo spirito di mezzanotte, SuperKlauss, O psie ktory jezdzil koleja, and several more. It should make a pleasant change from the usual Xmas movie rotation.
