Visual Effects
Fantadroms is a Latvian children's sci-fi cartoon by production company Studio Dauka. The shorts were released sporadically between 1985 and 1995, and all thirteen of them were released as a collection on DVD in 2006. The hero of the cartoon is a yellow shape-shifting robot called Indrikis XIII, who usually takes the form of a cat. He flies through space, mediating various disputes between the other characters. One recurring dynamic in the show is the love triangle between Indrikis XIII and Receklite - the flying purple cat-octopus with whom he is in love with, and the rat – who is in love with Indrikis. Other recurring characters include a cow, a (human) woman, and an amorphous pink blob. The short "Salt" won the Lielais Kristaps award for best animation in 1985. The animation has no dialogue and drama unfolds through pantomime and expressive noises such as grunts, groans, and laughter, which allows the show to cross language barriers.
The bee has not yet been born, but its fate has already been decided – work to collect honey. But even bees can "fall out of frame". This also happens with the hero of this film - Juris. Whether by chance, or naturally, or on purpose, the little bee, whose destiny is to collect honey, becomes the rescuer and a father of a new bee hive.
An educational film about the Internet. What is the INTERNET? And how to deal with it? The film is intended for children and adults who are just starting to get acquainted with modern means of communication and information. Friend Čatiņš teaches a boy how to behave on the Internet.
The sausage ends up in a barbershop, a ministerial position, and a school, but in all situations it finds a way out and ultimately achieves her goal.
Romantic portrayals as mystical characters-white rhinos-on a hot African night, ringing golden bells, create a rain of stars that roll over the Earth inspiring all living beings. When the miracle work is done, they themselves plunge into the sea of emerald green thistles and turn into orchids.
It’s 1919. The war is raging in Latvia and bodies pile high. A young rifleman’s (Thomas, 30) cold body is placed on a floor inside a mysterious sculptors' studio. Thomas wakes up with his head locked inside a cast and tries to find a way out from the dark room, but soon enough realizes that he is not the only one, who has woken up. The Ghost mother, a pagan goddess of death, tries to pull the young man into the afterlife. Meanwhile, the sculptor places Thomas’s death mask next to the others.
A playful portrayal of a merry royal couple who set off on a secret journey without subjects in order to enjoy simple human freedom at least a little. But the world is so full of various coincidences - Leopards growl in the trees, hungry crocodiles swim, snakes, monkeys and other surprises also appear that the King and Queen have to meet.
When the last of her friends has been buried, an elderly lady is on her way home from the graveyard. Her own memories play out in front of her eyes all over the city. At the local coffin store, she has to face a choice – a coffin or an old sledge. She says her goodbyes and takes off towards the nearby forest. It isn’t easy to make death charming and almost jovial, but director Rene Turtledove accomplishes it in this animation short about an elderly woman who has buried one too many friends and decides there are better ways to spend her money and her time than on the local coffin shop.
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.
When the daughter of the Sun and the Moon is stolen, desperate parents call people to get their baby back. Helpers are given only three days: if at that time, the Sun's daughter will not be found, she will lose her strength and become an ordinary girl. A journey of danger and adventure, which teaches everyone not only to be brave and resourceful, but also helpful. The Latvian animated film is based on folklore motifs.
An audiovisual interpretation of one of the "epiphanies" by Imants Ziedonis.
The story of a lovely snake family. How they spend a holiday by the sea – swim, play ball, sail, sunbathe, eat ice cream. Like all of us. And then evening comes, and the holiday is over.
A story about the fearless Brer Rabbit and the greedy, brazen and boastful Boss Lion who uses the gullibility of the little brothers to rule over their simple lives. Rabbit comes up with a brave plan and a way to defeat the horrible Lion with his resourcefulness. The final film of film studio Dauka.
A film examining the game of doubles of democracy and capitalism since the restoration of independence in Latvia. Freedom from the USSR, pilfering the state, victory in Eurovision, joining the EU and NATO, the greatest crisis in the world – a quarter century of contrast and challenges.
A sensation or good fortune? Or a lucky occurrence? The Cuckoo has 12 husbands, all of them splendid! Can this be true, and why is she the lucky one?
Who will tell you how deep the Fox cave is or how far is the edge of the sky? A lot of questions - you need to look for answers yourself.
An animated lullaby for children by Latvian poet Māris Čaklais.
A sister and brother dream of the same adventures, though each interprets their dream differently. A dream travels where we are not, and where each misfortune turns into a new opportunity, but the goal always remains unattainable.
The motives of Latvian folk songs are based on a romantic message about human life. A bird, a human child, a fish and clouds – these are the images of the film, which are created and illuminated by the eternal sun. There is also the fiery Fox and The Wolf encountered in winter, also the little flying animal from the depths of the past. All of them live, rush, strive and yearn for the endless variations of being. One circle of The Sun, one life, moment and eternity here and there, in the mystical world "beyond nine lakes".
