Ambassadors of Lithuania, H.E. Mr. Neilas Tankevičius, Latvia H.E. Ms. Aiga Liepiņa and Estonia H.E. Mr. Lauri Kuusing invite to the 3rd edition of online Baltic Film Weekend in the Netherlands which will take place from 27 till 29 January.
”The 2023 edition is devoted to the courage and resolve of Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians whose combined efforts and closely coordinated actions in the late 1980s and in the beginning of 1990s led to the long-awaited goal of restoring independence of the Baltic nations. The month of January has a special meaning for all three Baltic States when we honour those members of independence movements who became victims of atrocities and violent measures taken by the Soviet military forces thirty-two years ago.
Although the Baltic States’ independence story is unique, nevertheless it may serve as an inspiration to others who are oppressed or facing aggression like Ukraine is experiencing at the moment. Our message in today’s dramatic and challenging times is to strongly believe in your freedom and to stay united as a whole nation in working to achieve it. Yet in the midst of violence, humanity should not be forgotten.
Enjoy the films!”
The following film productions will be shown: Estonian film “Tangerines”. It is a story of awakening humanity in the midst of violence, told with intimacy and elegance by Georgian film director and screenwriter Zaza Urushadze. Read more here:
Latvian ”Valiant” directed by Māra Pelēcis. Juris and his mates paint an old Plymouth Valiant “Slant Six”
with anti-Soviet slogans like “Nyet, nyet Soviet!” and “Go(rbachev) to hell!”. Day to day, while driving around his home state of New Jersey,Juris uses the car to further the seemingly hopeless task –
to free illegally occupied Latvia. Read more here:
Lithuanian ”The Singing Revolution” directed by Giedre Zickyte. The story of the film begins in 1984, the very beginning of perestroika in USSR, when a group of architects decided to organize a one night music band as a New Year’s party joke in Kaunas, Lithuania. The joke proved to be so good that rumors about the new exciting rock band ANTIS spread from lips to lips. Imposing make-up and props, stylized show, and lyrics were creating pervasive caricature of the Soviet propaganda and perfectly discrediting the absurdity of the Soviet reality. Read more here:
Image and source: Baltic Film Festival in the Netherlands
