The National Film Centre’s 2015 film production funding contest has ended, and State financing has been granted to the production of 2 feature films, 6 animation films and 4 documentary films. This is the first and largest of the funding contests scheduled by the NFC for 2015, with a total of EUR 911,954 available for financing – EUR 500,393 for features, EUR 83,069 for documentaries, and EUR 328,492 for animation.
8 feature, 9 animation and 19 documentary film projects were submitted for a combined request of EUR 3,177,504 in financing. Animation projects were evaluated by Anna Veilande-Kustikova, Bruno Aščuks and NFC representative Kristīne Matīsa, features by Pēteris Krilovs, Atis Amoliņš and NFC representative Uldis Dimiševskis, and documentary film projects by Daira Āboliņa, Dāvis Sīmanis and NFC representative Kristīne Matīsa.
Financing was granted to 2 feature film projects (directors Jānis Nords and Aik Karapetian), 4 documentary films (directors Ivars Zviedris with Andris Kalnozols, Roberts Rubīns, Vitālijs Manskis, and Gints Grūbe with Estonian director Jaak Kilmi), and 6 animation films (directors Edmunds Jansons, Nils Skapāns, Kārlis Vītols, Jānis Cimermanis, Reinis Kalnaellis and Ilze Burkovska-Jakobsena). See the attachment for a breakdown of the projects and the respective financing.
The experts emphasized that the thematic and stylistic spectrum of the films-to-be is essential for the Latvian film sector, so that any viewer can relate, and that the 4 supported documentary film projects cover a broad range. According to expert Pēteris Krilovs, a masculine view of life was dominant within this year’s features. Both supported features will be made by the most capable among Latvia’s age 30-something directors – Aik Karapetian and Jānis Nords.
FILM PROJECTS RECEIVING FINANCING:
FEATURES
Pirmdzimtais (Firstborn) EUR 208 000 for phase 1 of production (director Aik Karapetian, cinematographer Jānis Eglītis, producer Roberts Vinovskis, Locomotive Productions) A psychological thriller about a middle-aged intellectual who, in an attempt to restore his reputation in his wife’s eyes, accidentally commits a murder. As time passes he begins to see a link between the deceased, his wife’s pregnancy, and the mysterious blackmailer who is forcing him to act against his will.
Ar putām uz lūpām (Foam at the Mouth) EUR 292 393 for production completion (director Jānis Nords, cinematographer Tobias Datum, producers Alise Ģelze and Aija Bērziņa, Tasse Film) Former cop Didzis is attempting to start up a service dog training business. Unbeknownst to him, his wife Jana is seeking romantic fulfilment through an affair with a much younger man, Roberts. When Didzis’ beloved dogs escape, posing a threat to the city’s inhabitants, Didzis and Jana are forced to confront their past demons and find common language in order to avert an impending disaster.
DOCUMENTARIES
Cilvēki no nekurienes (People from Nowhere) EUR 32 000 for phase 1 of production (directors Gints Grūbe and Jaak Kilmi, cinematographer Aigars Sērmūkšs, producer Antra Gaile, Mistrus Media) The reconstruction of a personal story of Cold War espionage as investigated by Ieva Lešinska, daughter of CIA and KGB double-agent Imants Lešinskis.
Radinieki (Ukrainas krīze, mana ģimene un es) Close Relations, A Ukrainian Home Movie EUR 21 530 for production completion (director Vitaly Mansky, cinematographer Aleksandra Ivanova, producer Guntis Trekteris, Ego Media) Ukrainian-born film director Vitaly Mansky investigates the effects of the Maidan revolution on Ukrainian society through a personal prism – his relatives, who reside in various parts of the country: in Lviv, Odessa, and in the separatist-controlled Donbas and Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula.
Es gribētu būt aplis (working title) EUR 14 839 for production completion (director Roberts Rubīns, cinematographer Uldis Jancis, producer Antra Cilinska, Juris Podnieks Studio) A film about Alexei Avechkin – a talented, creative dancer, who opened up a new page in Latvian ballet history, but was taken from life unforgivably early. About searching, striving and sources of inspiration.
Zāģeri (Loggers) EUR 14 700 for phase 1 of production (directors Ivars Zviedris and Andris Kalnozols, cinematographer Ivars Zviedris, producer Ivars Zviedris, Dokumentālists Studio) They fell trees in the forest, work in brigades, and live in trailers or empty apartments, far from home. The work is heavy. During moments of respite they like to sit on the stumps and talk about life. And about women – those waiting at home, or those they imagine.
ANIMATION
Bize un Neguļa (Pigtail and Mrs. Sleeplessness) EUR 57 500 for phase 1 of production (director Edmunds Jansons, artist Reinis Pētersons, producer Sabīne Andersone, Atom Art) Pigtail loves the winter holidays, but this year, shortly before Christmas, Brother comes into the world, turning everything upside down. Grandmother arrives from the countryside as Pigtail’s parents no longer have time to take her skating, but Pigtail and her best friend Mrs. Sleeplessness don’t like the new order. They come up with a plan – to send Brother and Grandmother to the Moon, in a bid to reclaim parental attention.
Brilles (Glasses) EUR 58 620 for phase 1 of production (director Nils Skapāns, artist Nils Skapāns, producer Roberts Vinovskis, Locomotive Productions) Brother and Sister, as is happens with children, have a hard time getting along. Then Granny gets involved, arriving on a scooter and twisting the green button on her vest, thus launching an unbelievable series of sandbox adventures.
Mans mīļākais karš (My Favourite War) EUR 47 605 for phase 2 of production (directors Ilze Burkovska-Jakobsena and Trond Jacobsen, artist Svein Nyhus, producer Guntis Trekteris, Ego Media) An animated documentary; a personal story about how Ilze, as a girl, loved to play war, as it fit into both her world of play and Soviet ideology. As she gets older, though, she discovers the truth through learning more about history, gaining the courage to pose critical questions.
Meistara slepenā dzīve (Master’s Secret Life) EUR 65 851 for production completion (director Jānis Cimermanis, artist Māris Putniņš, producer Māris Putniņš, Film Studio Animacijas Brigade) A mysterious memory game about the Master – Arnolds Burovs (1915-2006), the founder of puppet animation in Latvia – retelling his life’s story through archival footage, film imagery and newly-created animation, which transports the Master to the dreamland of Bimini.
Mīnotaurs (Minotaur) EUR 18 494 for production completion (director Kārlis Vītols, artist Kārlis Vītols, producer Līga Gaisa, Air Productions) The story of a small Minotaur who tries to find playmates in the endless labyrinth while his Dad is at work. He only manages to meet mythological characters, busy with their own ambitions.
Dziedošās vistas neticamie piedzīvojumi (working title) EUR 80 422 for production completion (director Reinis Kalnaellis, artist Olga Sokol, producer Vilnis Kalnaellis, Rija) A story by Kaspars Roga about a chicken who lives in a comfortable barn, but is bored, and wants to become famous and sing on stage. Destiny pulls her into unbelievable adventures that lead to dreams coming true.