Harijs Beķeris

A documentary in four parts, outlining the history and the importance of the Latvian Song and Dance Festival, from its beginnings in the 19th century till the modern day.

For the post-war generation in Latvia, the dream of the “good old days” became a significant part of the process of regaining independence. The dream of restoring the countryside to the way it was during the first independence is only now seen by most as naïve and unreal. Six episodes that reflect the historical development in the nation parallel to the fate of the director’s mother are used to explore the effects of political order on everyday lives. Though she is now leaving the countryside, the process of moving her life provides a visual stimulus for memories.

World War II and Latvians – the second most affected nation in this slaughter of superpowers. However, the number of people drafted into the war and killed is only a statistic, behind which lies the tragedy of each individual and an entire nation. Latvians, ruled, deceived, and coerced by foreign powers, had to fight under foreign flags on both sides of the front. Brother against brother, father against son... It was not a Latvian war, because Latvians had nothing to gain from it. It was not even a war between good and evil, it was a war between red and brown.

A film about how ideology destroys nations and controls people's destinies – a documentary story about a family turned into strangers. Little Nora reads her great-grandmother Eleonora's diaries and witnesses an entire political era through her eyes.

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.

Stories about the most important events in Latvia from 2000 to 2010 are compiled from materials from the LTV and LTV news service archives and excerpts from newsreels.