August 1, 2022.
The information was prepared by Zane Dzene.
The main prize of the film, art and music festival “RojaL” held in Roja, North Kurzeme, was awarded to the short film “The Last Time” by Lithuanian director Ronald Tomasevic.
The ninth film, art and music festival “RojaL” took place in Roja from July 28 to 30. This year’s film program took place in the mood of Italian cinema, and “RojaL” visitors could watch Paolo Genovese’s film “Complete Strangers”, Stefani Cipani’s children’s film “My Brother – a Superhero!”, and Federico Fellini’s black-and-white masterpiece “Eight Arms”.
In several open-air cinemas, “RojaL” showed films made in Latvia in recent years: Ivars Zviedra’s documentary “Unseen, Brasa!” Elsa Gauja’s debut as a director – the documentary film “Meanwhile in Lucavsala”, Matīs Kaža’s comedy “Udens garsa” and the western “Wild East. Where the road leads”, Laura and Mārčas Ābeli’s documentary “Mierjemā” and Laura and Rait Ābeli’s film “Restless Minds” . Kurzeme premiered Aik Karapetyan’s latest film “Sam’s Travels”, and “RojaL” also screened Alessandro Rossellini’s documentary “I was born Rossellini”, a film co-produced by Italy and Latvia.
Film scholar Zane Balčus, film director Aiks Karapetjans and Polish actor Bogdans Graciks evaluated the works of the international competition, in which films from Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Poland participated this year. As the best film, the jury recognized the short film “The Last Time” by the Lithuanian director Rinalda Tomasevičs, in which, as the jury emphasized, “harsh personal experience is transformed into a powerful work of art. By choosing a stylistic solution appropriate to the theme of the film, a particularly convincing portrayal of the characters and the environment was created. The director very skillfully managed to the selection of actors, creating memorable characters that collide with circumstances and characters.” Jury’s special award – to director Rūta Znotiņa for the film “Start all over again” with Kaspar Znotiņa in the lead role. Quoting the jury, this award is “acknowledgment of a young director for the desire to work in a complex and rarely used genre. As a result, an attractive work was created, in which humor alternates with reflections on courage, dreams and the ability to dare. The film shows the authors’ ability to experiment and be brave, exploring art and the complex twists and turns of life.” The audience award went to Justīne Silakaktiņa for the film “Synthesis” – a film that looks into the everyday life of the female artist tandem Skuja Braden and the process of creating their works before they both go to the Venice Biennale.
The exhibition “Visionary care” by Skuja Braden (artists Ingūna Skuja and Melissa Braden) can be viewed at the tourist information center in Roja. During “RojaL”, costume artist Sandra Silas’ exhibition “Costumes in frame” was also opened, and a new object has been added to Roja’s urban environment – a calligraphic image of the ship “Roja’s sailor” created from the names of 35 ships made in Roja and the names of their captains, created by artists Anta Ūsiņa, Kristiāna Jansone and Zane Walbak. Residents of Roja and city guests could also appreciate Envija’s sculpture “Morandi: Honor to be” and Daiņš Kārkluvalkas’ photography exhibition “Ārzemes”.
The youngest moviegoers could watch the short films “Dusmukule” and “Cūkas laime” (directed by Dace Rīdūze), “Eži un lielpilsēta” (directed by Āvalds Lācis) and “Meža sargi” (directed by Māris Brinkmanis) created by the puppet animation studio “Animācijas brigāde”. as well as learn how puppet films are made. The master class for children was also led by Andris Vikainis.
High-quality musical enjoyment was provided by the string quintet of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra and accordionist Artūrs Noviks in the “Together with Tango” concert, while the closing evening of the 2022 “RojaL” on the Roja beach sounded with the compositions played by the “Boogie Trio”.
As every year, this year also “RojaL” showed the best short films of the European Film Academy.
The creation of the film, art and music festival “RojaL” was supported by the State Culture Capital Fund, Talsi County Council, Embassy of the Republic of Italy, Astarte-Nafta, Roja Parish, Tritone Studio, Krasivo Limited, Latvian Cinematographers Union, Zemgus Printing Service, Rīgas Laiks, Talsu Vēstis, Art needs space, European Film Academy, Roja Hotel, Roja Culture Center, Roja Open Air Stage, RGU, TV9 Pakalni.
Photo: Jurgis Krāsons, Kārlis Didrichsons
https://failiem.lv/u/xq6qskdcd
RojaL 2022 best film: From left – jury: director Aiks Karapetjans, Polish actor Bogdans Gracik, film scholar Zane Balčus, “RojaL” 2022 best film “The Last Time” director Rinalds Tomaševičs and head of the closing ceremony Kārlis Dzintars Zahovskis.
RojaL 2022 audience sympathy: Director Justīne Silakaktiņa received the Audience Award for the film “Synthesis”.
RojaL 2022 jury award: Zane Balčus and the actor of the main role of the film “Start all over again” Kaspars Znotiņš. Rūta Znotiņa’s film “Start all over again” received the jury’s special award
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