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Latvian films scheduled for Berlin festival

February 05, 2008

Two films with Latvian connections are to be screened during the 58th Berlin International Film Festival, or Berlinale, which runs from Feb. 7-17.

Jaunā suga (The New Species), a 2007 animation film about the insect world directed by Evalds Lācis, is scheduled for screenings Feb. 12, 14, 15 and 17 as part of the Generation K Plus competition for children’s films. The 10-minute film is produced by Rīga-based Studija AB, which has participated in the Berlin festival twice before, according to the press center of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Also screened will be Teat Beat of Sex: Episodes 8, 9, 10, 11, a seven-minute short by New York-based Latvian director Signe Baumane. Her film will be shown as part of Berlinale Shorts IV on Feb. 9, 10, 14 and 16, and as part of ShortsMix on Feb. 17. The film is an American and Italian co-production.

Two other films, the hit War of Independence feature Rīgas sargi by director Aigars Grauba and Lielais Kristaps winner Vogelfrei by directors Jānis Kalējs and Jānis Putniņš, are expected to be screened during the festival’s trade fair. A delegation of Latvian directors and producers will participate in the trade fair. Minister of Culture Helēna Demakova also is expected to attend.

Further information about the festival is available by visiting www.berlinale.de.

— Andris Straumanis