Olafs Okonovs

The documentary chronicles the life stories of two brothers, Kristaps and Krists. Kristaps, the elder brother, is disabled and has trouble talking, but he can rap. His younger brother Krists is one of the best freestyle BMX bikers in Latvia.

A documentary revealing society's perceptions of old age.

A family film about an adventure of kids discovering and safeguarding the mystery of an old garden.

In the cemetery of small town, a Man and a Woman, both middle-aged, meet at sunset. He has a terrible plan of how to battle with cemetery vandals, but she is suspicious of his real purpose.

Latvian painter Boriss Bērziņš talks about life and art in his workshop. A documentary that was awarded "Lielais Kristaps" for best debut.

Latvia is one of the poorest EU member states. However, its capital city, Riga, is a modern European metropolis. But less than 100 kilometers from the city center, we find ourselves in a completely different world, in a different time. People go to Riga and abroad in search of work and happiness. What needs to happen so that Latvia does not become a land of only old and incapable people?

"I have allowed myself to be selfish and do only what I like," said Imants Lancmanis. As a child, when he saw a picture of Rundāle Palace, the boy was disappointed: what kind of palace is that without a tower?! But it was in Rundāle that he was destined to build his dream palace 50 years ago. To experience victories and losses, joys and sorrows, happiness and misfortune. To measure the social hierarchy and turn down tempting job offers.

At the end of 70ies, when individual houses were getting destroyed in the Latvian countryside to put everyone in Soviet kolkhozs, painters Inta Celmiņa and Edvards Grūbe bought a house in Vidzeme, far away from everybody. It was a new beginning for the house, and for the artists as well, who now lead a double life, spending winters in Riga, and summers - in their workshop in the countryside. It's a story about the classic values of Latvian painting and the environment that breeds it.

A documentary about Latvian artist Džemma Skulme.

What kind of masters have we been in our independent country? A quarter of a century ago these four men were among those who voted for a free Latvia. 2015 was the 25th anniversary of the independence declaration. Deputies from the then Tukums district were among of the voters on that day, the 4th of May. A look from outside of Riga.

The film tells the story of A. Bikše's object "1/10 of Mother Earth's Office" in the Great Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Riga. After its closure, there were plans to create a park here, but at present it looks like a place abandoned to fate, used mainly by drunkards, mothers with prams and dogs. A confrontation between the opinions of cultural critic P. Bankovskis and artist A. Bikše on the fate of the cemetery, the contemporary meaning of art, and the creation of the art object itself.

A documentary about the almost mythical "Latvian gold" - where it comes from and what's being done with it.

A work that straddles the boundary between science and art. A story about a microphone – a sound collector.

The actors of the amateur theatre troupe in the Eastern part of Latvia (Latgale) live from the heart. In their daily life they are rooted in their own land, but on stage – true to life and funny. They are so strong they enjoy laughing at themselves. In the plays of their director Danskovīte, they do not act, they live for real. Portraits of the members of the Baltinava amateur theatre troupe “Palādas”, rehearsals and behind-scenes of staging the plays. “Determined Amateurs” is the last film by director Olafs Okonovs, after his death completed by his son, director Aleksandrs Okonovs, following Olafs’ idea.

The film tells the story of a series of events, coincidences and accidents caused by World War I, which allowed Latvians, like many other nations, to fulfill their dream of having their own country in 1918. However, the foundations of the Latvian state were laid in November 1917 in Valka, when the largest Latvian parties and social movements established the Latvian Provisional National Council. Why did Valka become the epicenter of events? What gave strength and inspiration to the men who began to build a free and united Latvia? And how heavy is the clay from which a country is made? The answers to these questions will be sought by storyteller and actor Gundars Āboliņš, together with historians and lawyers Jānis Plepu, Ēriks Jēkabsons, Ineta Lipša, and Jānis Tomaševskis.

A documentary about the artist couple Roman Suta and Aleksandra Beļcova through the eyes of their daughter Tatjana Suta.

A retrospective of art and power in the world. The life and art of Džemma Skulme as a free spirit during the regime.

Vija Celmiņš – Latvian-American painter and graphic artist, who has gained international recognition thanks to her special signature – reproductions of endless expanses (the sea, sky, desert). Her works have been included in the most significant modern art collections and displayed in retrospectives the world over. For the filmmakers, visiting Vija Celmiņš in New York was a rare opportunity to come in close proximity to this artist’s creative process and unique personality.