CONTENTS 3 Photo Flashback on BSF 2013 4 Introduction by Dace Melbārde, Minister for Culture of the Republic of Latvia 5 Introduction by Dita Rietuma, Director, National Film Centre of Latvia 6 Film Programme POWER OF SILENCE FORUM PROJECTS 13 180 Beats per Minute – France 15 Acid Forest – Lithuania 17 Ash Mountains – Estonia 19 Behind the Fence – Estonia 21 Birdwatching – Poland 23 Close Relations, A Ukrainian Home Movie by Vitaly Mansky – Russia / Germany / Latvia 25 Dangerous Liaisons. Russia’s Soft Power – Latvia 27 Era of Dance – Latvia 29 Genius on Demand – Poland 31 Grey Violet – Finland 33 Inga Can Hear – Latvia 35 Johanna’s Secret – Poland/Germany 37 The Language of Silence – Sweden 39 My Beliefs – Russia 41 New Berlin Wall – Georgia 43 No Addressee – Estonia 45 No Train to Germany – Georgia/France 47 Red Roofs – UK 49 Returning to Riga – Denmark 51 Staring at the Sun – Poland 53 Tal – Latvia 55 Tchaikovsky on the Edge – Germany ORGANIZERS AND SUPPORTERS 57 Thanksgiving Day – Lithuania 59 We’re Going the Same Way – Belgium 62 Decision Makers 68 Tutors 72 List of Participants BALTIC SEA FORUM FOR DOCUMENTARIES 2013 BALTIC SEA FORUM FOR DOCUMENTARIES 2014 Latvia, age 18 is the world. In turn, it’s a wonderful frivolous and making light of age of majority. For the opportunity for documentary the serious. In looking over the IN 18th time, the Baltic film viewers to see the latest in list of this Forum’s exceptional Sea Forum for Documentaries internationally-recognized works presenters and promising films, is bringing together film and documentary film trends. It’s I’m convinced that this early professionals and the public, in a also very positive that, for the third autumn time will be fruitful for testament to its strength, beauty year in a row, the films are being documentary film professionals and necessity as a tradition. screened outside of Riga as well, and audiences alike. enabling other regions in Latvia The Baltic Sea is not just a spot to take in the best of international The documentary film genre on the world map, and it’s not documentary film. is special – refined, elegant, just a body of water enveloped by delectable. Have a wonderful sandy shores and coastal cities. It’s Although the Forum is named for time in Riga, with many the story of the twists and turns the Baltic Sea region, it provides new impressions, successful of history, of the Amber Road, the impetus for discussions on collaborations and creative natural and man-made wonders, themes pertinent throughout the inspiration! shipping traditions passed down world. This year’s programme, through generations, the myriad of Power of Silence, is comprised DACE MelbārDE cultures and languages, and of the of films about copyright and Minister for Culture of the people who live along its shores. censorship issues, global Republic of Latvia The Baltic Sea region is a treasure immigration, child adoption, chest for those who like to tell environmental protection, stories – including documentary global economic growth, etc. filmmakers. And in order for the This once again attests to the rest of the world to marvel at these diversity present in documentary stories, we need to work together. film, the unlimited opportunity The Forum is an important way for to discuss topics that are often documentary film professionals hard to express in words, and the to attract co-financing for enormous power to offer various projects, ensuring a pathway to versions, revealing information, an international audience. It’s events and phenomena from an a great practice, and one that is unexpected viewpoint, heralding familiar across Europe and the the truth, lending gravity to the 4 Photo: Jānis Deinats BALTIC SEA FORUM FOR DOCUMENTARIES 2014 elcome to Rīga and another Forum tradition is to from 2011-2013. The Bulgarian the 18th edition of the infuse their programmes with a film Uncle Tony, Three Fools and W Baltic Sea Forum for “metaphoric code”. This year’s the Secret Service explores the Documentaries! line-up of nine documentary films question of remaining true to your is wide-ranging thematically and own history. For those of you participating stylistically. The Forum’s visual for the first time, hopefully you’ll symbol is the main heroine from The geographical locations of the find that the Forum is essential the film Good Ol’ Freda (dir. Ryan films is varied – Norway, Denmark, for you as a meeting place for White) – Freda Kelly, secretary India, Russia, the USA, Bulgaria, et film professionals – a space filled and head of the fan club for the al., and the range of countries of with a sharp-minded and talented legendary band The Beatles, origin of the Forum participants documentary film spirit. who looks at her youth and work is just as broad. The Forum’s local with The Beatles, right from the geography isn’t limited as well, as I hope that the workshops, the start of their phenomenal rise the films are shown not only in project pitching sessions and the to fame, with a wise irony. Freda the capital Rīga, but also in the opportunity to meet documentary stepped aside from the world of Latvian cities of Jēkabpils, Rēzekne film professionals will result show business and rock history and Valmiera. in useful experience and a processes a long time ago. She’s platform for many new ideas and never written a single word about The role of documentary cinema, exceptional films. her experience with The Beatles, with its ability to analyse the not wanting to capitalize on her recent past and offer a brave The Baltic Sea Forum for status as a member of their inner take on pertinent socio-political Documentaries is not just an event circle. Freda’s essence is truly a events, is becoming more and for film professionals geared testament to the power of silence. more relevant. That’s the kind of towards the development of (A scene from the film graces the era we now live in. projects and professionalism, it’s is graphic design of the Forum.) also a significant, internationally- I hope that the films you see, and recognized documentary film Several of the films from the the days you spend in Rīga will screening event for the public. Forum’s programme are dedicated bring forth new initiatives, ideas to the current socio-political and experience! This year, the Baltic Sea Forum for situation – including the Oscar- Documentaries’ film programme nominated film The Square DITA RIETUMA is entitled Power of Silence – covering the events in Egypt National Film Centre of Latvia Photo: Kristaps Kalns 5 FILM PROGRAMME POWER OF SILENCE AT CINEMA K.SUNS SCREENINGS 21:00 SUNDAY | SEPTEMBER 7 DANCE FOR ME WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 3 Dir. Katrine Philp, Klassefilm, 13:00 78 min, 2012, Denmark METAMORPHOSEN 18:00 Dir. Sebastian Mez, Filmakademie SATURDAY | SEPTEMBER 6 Baden-Württemberg, 84 min, UNCLE TONY, THREE 2013, Germany FOOLS AND THE SECRET 11:00 SERVICE Dir. Vesela Kazakova, Mina Mileva, TWO RAGING GRANNIES 15:00 activist38, 87 min, 2014, Bulgaria Dir. Håvard Bustnes, Faction Film, TWO RAGING GRANNIES EiE Film, Fridthjof Film, 78 min, A meeting with directors Vesela Kazakova Dir. Håvard Bustnes, Faction Film, and Mina Mileva, and Latvian journalist 2013, Norway/Italy/Denmark EiE Film, Fridthjof Film, 78 min, Pauls Raudseps after the screening 2013, Norway/Italy/Denmark 13:00 21:00 UNCLE TONY, THREE 17:00 GOOD OL’ FREDA FOOLS AND THE SECRET THE SQUARE 16+ Dir. Ryan White, Tripod Media, SERVICE Dir. Jehane Noujaim, Noujaim 86 min, 2013, USA/UK Dir. Vesela Kazakova, Mina Mileva, Films, Worldview Entertainment, activist38, 87 min, 2014, Bulgaria Roast Beef Productions, 108 min, THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 4 2013, Egypt/USA/UK 18:00 15:00 MY NAME IS SALT 19:00 A HOME FOR LYDIA Dir. Farida Pacha, UNCLE TONY, THREE Dir. Eline Helena Schellekens, Leafbird Films GmbH, 92 min, FOOLS AND THE SECRET KRO Youth, 17 min, 2013, 2013, Switzerland/India SERVICE The Netherlands Dir. Vesela Kazakova, Mina Mileva, TWIN SISTERS 17:00 activist38, 87 min, 2014, Bulgaria Dir. Mona Friis Bertheussen, DANCE FOR ME Moment Film AS, 58 min, 2013, 21:00 Norway Dir. Katrine Philp, Klassefilm, 78 min, 2012, Denmark A meeting with “Twin Sisters” director MY NAME IS SALT Mona Friis Bertheussen and Latvian Dir. Farida Pacha, journalist Eva Ikstena-Strapcāne after the Leafbird Films GmbH, 92 min, screening 19:00 2013, Switzerland/India A HOME FOR LYDIA Dir. Eline Helena Schellekens, 21:00 KRO Youth, 17 min, 2013, 16+ THE SQUARE The Netherlands Dir. Jehane Noujaim, Noujaim Films, Worldview Entertainment, TWIN SISTERS Roast Beef Productions, 108 min, Dir. Mona Friis Bertheussen, 2013, Egypt/USA/UK Moment Film AS, 58 min, 2013, Norway FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 5 21:00 18:00 GOOD OL’ FREDA METAMORPHOSEN Dir. Ryan White, Tripod Media, Dir. Sebastian Mez, Filmakademie 86 min, 2013, USA/UK Baden-Württemberg, 84 min, 2013, Germany A meeting with director Sebastian Mez and Latvian journalist Maris Olte after the screeening ThE fiLMS wiLL BE SCREENED IN THEIR ORigiNAL LANGUAGE wiTH ENGLISH SUBTITLES AND TRANSLATION INTO LATVIAN 6 FILM PROGRAMME POWER OF SILENCE AT CINEMA K.SUNS A coming-of-age story intertwined FILMS with loneliness, a passion for dance, ambition, and the sweet yet GOOD OL’ FREDA fleeting taste of victory. Dir. Ryan White, Tripod Media, 86 min, 2013, USA/UK At the 2012 world championships in China, Egor and Mie placed 26th out of 54 pairs. A year later ■ The film documents events in they managed to make the quarter Egypt from 2011 to 2013, when finals but came in 14th place. After the 30 year-long dictatorship that the young dancers decided to of Hosni Mubarak was finally look for other dance partners.