This year, director Viestur Kairish will release his long awaited historical fiction film “Chronicles of Melanie”. The film premieres in Latvia on the 1st of November 2016, but before hand, on the memorial day of the 1941 mass deportations, the filmmakers would like to start discussion on the impact of the deportations on future generations, and address that despite the tragic events of history, the Latvian nation has rebuilt and preserved their country.
Published: 14.06.2016.
75 years after the 14th of June, 1941 deportations
75 years ago, Soviet authorities deported to Siberia 7168 women and more than 2000 children less than 10 years old. Lawyer, journalist and writer Melānija Vanaga and her son Alnis were considered socially dangerous criminals and deported to Tjuhtet, Siberia.
The finished work of “Chronicles of Melanie”
The film is based on Melānija Vanaga’s autobiography “Suddenly, a Criminal: Sixteen Years in Siberia”- one of Latvian literature’s brightest descriptive works to date. It was the author’s first work, which she wrote without permission under Soviet conditions and published in journal form.
“The film has been made. Many people wonder about the effect of the deportations upon present-day Latvian identity. It is clear that it has an important and decisive role. But in the film’s context, it is essential to replace the concept of the ‘victim’ with the concepts of being ‘indestructible and ‘unbreakable’. This is important to me – to show people what could help I, myself, survive in all conditions. This includes contemporary Latvia and the world today. Survival, not due to being superhuman, but because of personal inexhaustible humanity. Also important – don’t see the film as a historical work, view it as a film of present day” said the film’s director Viestur Kairish.
The film “Chronicles of Melanie” is the story of the Latvian women who survived despite being deprived by Soviet power of their future dreams, the best years of their lives, their houses, their husbands, their children, their country and their health. It’s the story of women who survived in order to document and share their experiences, making sure that future generations do not forget the events they were forcibly made to endure.
The beginning of the social commemorative action “Invincible, unbreakable, remembered”
Of the 14th of June, 2016, the makers of “Chronicles of Melanie” will begin to initiate social commemorative action “Invincible, unbreakable, remembered”. The action will address the younger generation, seeking new ways to continue discussing how Latvian historical events have influenced many generations and remembering the tenacity of the Latvian women upon which the country and its future is based.
The social commemorative action began as the result of a multimedia project that will in June of 2016, after 75 years, allow viewers to travel the route from Riga to Tjuhtet – the road that in June of 1941 was travelled by deportee Melānija Vanaga, her son Alnis, and thousands of Latvia’s population.
In collaboration with “LMT Straume”, portal “Delfi” and social media platform “lsm.lv”, from the morning of the 14th of June and the following three days the Latvian population will be able to watch online the road from Riga to Tjuhtet in video format.
“The film is a story that couldn’t not be told in the language of cinema. Melānija Vanaga’s written story about a generation of powerful Latvian women has, after more than ten years, helped us rebuild our country and not forget. The film “Chronicles of Melanie” is finished, and will be available for viewing from the 1st of November. We invite our country men to take a glimpse into the generations that we owe for what we have today,” said film producer Inese Boka-Grūbe.
Film studio “Mistrus Media” together with radio station “Pieci.lv” and portal “lsm.lv” invite young people to come together and share the stories of their grandmothers, and great-grandmothers, whose lives were affected by the tragic deportations and events of 1941 and 1949.
“Chronicles of Melanie” features Latvian actresses Lilita Ozoliņa, Guna Zariņa, Maija Doveika and Baiba Broka. Latvia’s radio theatre, in collaboration with film studio “Mistrus Media” and the films actresses, has begun recording individual chapters of Melānija Vanaga’s autobiography “Suddenly, a Criminal: Sixteen Years in Siberia” in audio book format. They will be broadcast on Latvian radio in the Autumn before the film’s premiere. On the 14th of June at 22:05, Latvia’s Radio 1 will broadcast several clips from the audio books first chapters, recorded by actress Lilita Ozoliņa.
About the film
Director Viestur Kairish’s film “Chronicles of Melanie” is one of the most meaningful Latvian historical and autobiographical productions, and an essential work of Latvian cinema. The large-scale film has the potential to not only attract young people, but also promote international interest in the rich history of Europe, Stalinist repressions and the deportations of the Baltic peoples.
The film’s director and screenwriter is Viestur Kairish, director of photography – Gints Bērziņš, film artist – Ieva Jurjāne, film producers – Inese Boka-Grūbe, Gints Grūbe, co-producer – Elīna Gediņa-Ducena, film production manager – Elīna Zazerska. Playing the leading role is one Switzerland’s hihgly-acclaimed actresses – Sabine Timoteo; supporting cast are Maija Doveika, Guna Zariņa, Lilita Ozoliņa, Baiba Broka, Ivars Krasts, Jana Čivžele, Viktors Ņemecs, Austrian actor Erwin Leder. Melanie’s son is played by Edvīns Mekšs.
The film is a co-production of Latvia, the Czech Republic and Finland. The film is financed by the National Film Centre of Latvia, State Culture Capital Fund, State Film Fund of Czech Republic, Film Fund of Finland, Eurimages, North Karelia Regional Fund, Finnish Public Television YLE, Latvian Television. Film’s partners: LDZ Cargo, Latvian Railways, Eco Baltia, UPP, Sleepwalker, Latvian Fund, ALA. Information support: LMT Straume, Latvian Radio, DELFI.
More Information
Inese Boka-Grūbe
Tel: +371 67313314, +371 29259580
www.melanijashronika.lv
www.facebook.com/MelanijasHronika