Studija 2

A tribute to late Latvian documentary film director Juris Podnieks. It was his plan to make this film about Latvia and Russia after the collapse of the USSR.

Afterword for the film "Homeland" - January 1991. Death of Andris Slapiņš and Gvido Zvaigzne.

The film portrays the political situation in occupied Latvia 37 years ago, when writer Imants Ziedonis formed a group of like-minded peers into ‘’Dižkoku atbrīvotāji’’ – DAGi. Film reels and photos of the time show Imants Ziedonis and the DAGi participants – Māra Zālīte, Anna Žīgure, Roze Stiebra, Andris Buiķis, Vitolds Kucins and others. Today, with their contemporary experiences, they reflect on a time when the dream of an independent Latvia seemed impossibly far away. We’re Still Here reminds the younger generations that it’s possible to do good in the name your nation and its future not matter the circumstances.

Director Zigurds Vidiņš has been following Lidija Lasmane-Doroņina for more than 10 years with his camera. She was arrested in 1946, 1970 and 1983 by the Soviet regime, spending a total of 14 years in prison, her only crime: the dream of an independent Latvia. Thanks to Mikhail Gorbachev’s perestroika she was released from prison in May 1987. In 2010, Lidija Lasmane-Daroņina celebrated her 85th birthday, and On the Way of Light was released at the same time.

A documentary on elderly Naivist painters in 90ies Latvia. These people find a lot of joy and harmony in their amazing creations even if they might not know a lot about the conventional art.

Latvia's history from the occupation in 1940 to the declaration of independence in 1990 is too complex to be reflected in black and white terms. One of the most prominent figures of this period is Eduards Berklavs. A high-ranking member of the Communist Party with an impeccable past, in the mid-1950s he began fighting against the policies implemented by his own party in Latvia.

The director mixes excerpts from his documentaries Soviets and Homeland with footage of the collapse of the Soviet Union.