Aija Bley

An omnibus film consisting of ten parts, each directed by a different young director from the Latvian Academy of Culture. The unifying element of the ten shorts is the place where they take place - the airport. A lot can happen there - including a strike by a comet, a malicious attempt to break havoc by passengers, or an exploration of the old airport guard's house where not a lot has changed since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The film consists of the following parts: A Mishap (Nediena) by Arta Biseniece, Blurp (Šļurp) by Aija Bley, Alien Sky (Svešās debesis) by Viesturs Kairišs, 5 Versions (5 versijas) by Dzintars Krūmiņš, Comet (Komēta) by Māra Liniņa, Cleptomania (Kleptomānija) by Andis Mizišs, Alfredo's Poetry (Alfredo dzeja) by Igors Varenieks, Little Hand (Mazā roka) by Ilze Vidauska, Comet 2 (Komēta 2) by Anna Viduleja, and Life No. 2 (Dzīve nr.2) by Kristīne Želve.

Romeo n’ Juliet depicts the contemporary love story of a young Latvian girl, Juliet, and a Russian guy, Romeo. Juliet aimlessly spends tiresome days in Jūrmala; all she has to look forward to is leaving for England with her best friend in search of a better life. Romeo also wants to live for something and dreams of a hip-hop musician’s life in Russia. After Romeo sees Juliet for the first time and falls in love, their dreams and hopes for a better future collapse in a matter of days.

Each spring, for many, many years, a new nurse has been sent to work on the island of Doctor D., but rumours persist that none have ever returned. Julia heads to the island to solve its mystery, but it turns out that she herself is the secret.

Director Aija Bley's "Brīva Vieta - T17" captures the unique testimony of the modern era of Riga - the life of "antisquoters". The film tells about the daily life and dreams of the youth community and a mute fish, the so-called commune T17. The community lives in a non-landscaped building, so its occupation is a real challenge. The house is located under the paspārns of the association " Free Riga ", whose movement is based on a responsible attitude towards nature and the careful use of resources. Here, the community is motivated by the conviction that so few resources in everyday life should be consumed in the urban environment. The film follows the everyday life of the community members, who use their lifestyle to use the resources of nature, material, culture and time.

The heroine is a widow and a fiancé who wants to begin a new and happy life. Conflicts in her family’s past prevent it, but she does not give up – she wants to clear away the ruins and do what she can. “Enough of looking for guilt, it’s time to find a solution,” she thinks, and takes action.

Once upon a time an old married couple lived in love and happiness, but they did not have any children until one day the old man found a small hedgehog in cabbages. So the fairy-tale about the endless power of love and faith begins, the fairy-tale about the Prickly.

Despite societal standards, the members of the legendary Latvian punk rock band "Inokentijs Mārpls" and well-known music journalist Uldis Rudaks have been leading a rock-and-roll lifestyle all their lives. Now, in their 50ies, the men still stay truthful to the ideals of their youth, but, off the stage, they each have to deal with different aspects of life, ageing, and the change of the world around them.

Former ice researcher and Orthodox pastor Andrey Voronin is called Ice-Breaker because of his brave opinions. A unique children’s home, whose foster children are now famous in the whole of Russia, was created under his guidance. The pastor thinks that life is a fight and you have to be prepared for it all of the time. This is why, together with the children, he conquers the tops of mountains.

A short Christmas tale about happiness that might be passing right by you. And that's when you realise you've just missed. Who's fault is that? Is it fear, is it inability to fight, or is it just a matter of luck?

A film about contemporary society's prejudiced attitude towards prisoners. This attitude causes some inmates to return to prison as a safer, more stable and more understanding environment. This is also the opinion of the film's main character, Svetlana, who has spent most of her life in prison, where she has gained the reputation of an authoritative figure, but outside prison she has nothing. Thanks to the support of the Liepaja Rehabilitation Center, Svetlana and other former prisoners admit that there is now hope of integrating into society, finding work, meeting like-minded and understanding people who can help them overcome the difficult period of adaptation when they have to start taking care of their own lives again.

She is young and beautiful. Her mischievous green eyes look for an opportunity to break out of the dull routine of daily life. She is going on a journey and her experiences will pull her into a whirlwind of passion.

It's Latvia on the 20th of September, 2003 - the day of the referendum about joining the European Union. On the day of the referendum, twelve Latvian film directors of different generations portray twelve different characters across the country. Their life stories and environments affect their decision of voting “for” or “against”.

A travel film about adventures in snowy Russia, visiting Russia's smallest nation - the Tofolars in the world's coldest pole - Oymyakon. Cut off from the outside world, Tofolaria, rich, harsh Yakutia - home to a tenacious people and the birthplace of reindeer, beckons with its poignant romance.

Chechen boy Mansur, who was born and grew up during war in Chechnya, thanks to his mother Sacita’s persistence and his own talent, garners awards in dance contests all over the world, reminding people of his nation’s culture and valour.

It is 20-30 degrees below zero. Finally, the Uda River has frozen over, becoming a lifeline between the vast Russian mainland and the Russian Tibet hidden high in the mountains - the Tofolaria Mountains, home to Russia's smallest ethnic group — a land of untouched nature and its people, who have become victims of the negative influence of civilization.

A TV film about what has been experienced in this troubled corner of the Caucasus. Three journeys capture the lives of ordinary people in a war-torn land who, despite everything, have retained their self-respect and honor their traditions. What we see with our own eyes breaks negative stereotypes and makes us admire the moral resilience and self-respect of a people who have suffered so much.

The film is a typical auteur work with an observant but emotionally charged attitude. The film's action takes place while driving past the villages of Latgale. The houses are located right by the road, but few people manage to cross the threshold of this peculiar way of life. The people are welcoming and open if you manage to speak to them from the heart, but the peculiarity of this life remains an unfathomable mystery. The film crew visited more than 20 homes in Tiskādi, Poromonovka, Ružāni, and Silmale, listened to stories of life and death, sang along with the cheerful ones, and mourned with the sad ones. The result of these human encounters is a film about a world of isolation and immeasurable vitality – the Old Believer villages of Latgale.