The film is a story about the interwar Latvian press queen – Latest News a Rest publisher – Emilija Benjamins, whose personality, wealth and tragic fate has become a legend of Latvian history.
“Domestic multi-series films are content loved and demanded by Latvian Television viewers. Every new high-quality series is considered a cultural event and cultural heritage, and one of the priority tasks of public television is to support content created by Latvian film producers that addresses the issue of national identity. Emilia. Queen of the Latvian Press is a bright “national series”, as well as a successful achievement in Latvian cinema, which successfully demonstrates how to tell a nationally significant and voluminous story in accordance with modern trends – both in terms of content and visually high quality, “says Zane Valeniece, head of the Latvian Television film purchasing department.
The seven series reveals the multifaceted aspects of Emilia Benjamin’s personality, as well as important fragments of her life – family, entrepreneurship, strengthening social status, influence on political and cultural developments in the 1920s and 1930s, women’s dreams and problems, employee betrayal.
“The choice of the film team to create six series in the style of feature films, while the seventh in the style of documentary cinema will be a pleasant surprise and great added value for many viewers, as the final series not only reveals the behind the scenes, but also depicts the era,” admits Zane Valeniece.
“Emilija Benjamiņa’s life story allows us to look into one of the most important stages in Latvia’s 20th century history. We hope that this unique biographical story will reach viewers at a time when we are thinking about history, press freedom and the role of gender in society,” says the film’s producer. Gints Grūbe.
The filming took place in many historical places related to the story of the film – both in the Benjamin House in Riga and in Valdeki Manor; The documentary series uses unique archival materials from the Benjamin family. The film features many representatives of the creative professions of the last century – Kārlis Skalbe, Jānis Ziemeļnieks, Vilis Lācis – and historical personalities – Eižens Finks, Gustavs Zemgals, Mariss Vētra.
Actors: Guna Zariņa, Juris Bartkevičs, Raimonds Celms, Enzo Leonardo Borneo, Sandis Runge, Baiba Broka, Ligita Dēvica, Inga Tropa-Fišere, Uva Segliņa, Artūrs Skrastiņš, Lauris Dzelzītis, Uldis Anže, Dainis Osaidis, Arnold Kaspars Zāle, Edgars Ozoliņš, Gatis Maliks and others
The screenplay was created by Baņuta Rubess, Ivo Briedis, Aiva Birbele, Tabita Rudzāte, consultants Māra Zālīte, Ineta Lipša, the directors of the feature film series are Kristīne Želve, Andis Mizišs, Dāvis Sīmanis, the director of the documentary series is Gints Grūbe, the cinematographer is Andrejs Rudzāts, Jurjāne and Aivars Žukovskis, editing directors – Andris Grants, Paula Popmane and Armands Začs, composer – Kārlis Auzāns, sound director – Ernests Ansons, producers – Inese Boka-Grūbe and Gints Grūbe.
The main producer of the film is a film studio Mistrus Media, co – producers – Latvian Television and That studiofunded by the National Film Center, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia.
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