Great interest in the new feature film by Viesturs Kairis “January”

With several sold-out screenings in Riga and regions of Latvia, the screening of director Viesturs Kairiš’ new film “Janvāris” began on 11 November.

The film tells about the events of January 1991. After graduating from school, Jazis cannot decide how to live on, he is threatened with draft into the Soviet army. First serious relationship, early 90s bohemian, generational dispute. Meanwhile in Latvia the struggle for the country’s independence continues, the OMON special operation unit of the Soviet militia threatens to stop the struggle for Baltic freedom, barricades are being built in Riga. The young characters of the film are far from any political life, but circumstances force them to come to the epicenter of events and make a choice. “January” is a historical and autobiographical excursion about young filmmakers involved in the political events of January 1991 in Riga.

“It was a great responsibility to make a film about an era that we all remember. The film “Janvāris” has already reached viewers outside of Latvia and we are very grateful that the film is currently attracting so much interest from viewers of different generations in Latvia. Thanks to all the team of the film, supporters of the film and colleagues of the film studio “Mistrus Media”, who worked every day for more than three years to make the film in Latvia and reach the world,” said Inese Boka- Grūbe, one of the producers of the film “Janvāris” at the premiere of the film. .

On the first day, more than 3,000 viewers have already seen the film across Latvia. Simultaneously with the premiere in Riga on 11 November, the film was shown in more than 50 cinemas in Latvia and several Latvian schools organized screenings of the film for students to give them the opportunity to travel through the time lived by their parents and grandparents with the help of the film.

After the film, the audience spoke very highly of the film, saying that it stirred up memories and made them go back to such a defining moment for Latvia and for everyone who lived through it.

The roles in the film are played by Kārlis Arnolds Avots, Alise Dzene, Sandis Runge, Baiba Broka, Artūrs Skrastiņš, Lauris Dzelzītis, Imants Strads, Kaspars Dumburs, Estonian actor Juhans Ulfsaks and Lithuanian actor Alex Kazanavičs. The film was made in the film studio “Mistrus Media”, its director is Viesturs Kairišs, cinematographer – Vojcehs Starons, artist – Ieva Jurjāne, costume designer – Rūta Lečaite, make-up artist – Ilze Trumpe, composer – Juste Janulīte, producers – Inese Boka-Grūbe and Gints Grube.

The film has already attracted wide international interest: the world premiere took place at the Tribeca Film Festival in the United States, where the film won the award for best foreign film, several awards were also won at the Warsaw Film Festival and the Rome International Film Festival Festivals.