Film Archive

Sections (Film Archive)

Retrospective 2023
Filmstill The Cathedral
The Cathedral
Laila Pakalniņa
When Soviet troops invade to suppress the independence movement, barricades are erected in Riga. A bloody struggle begins. The cathedral becomes a place of refuge.
Filmstill The Cathedral

The Cathedral

Doms
Laila Pakalniņa
Retrospective 2023
Documentary Film
Latvia
1991
19 minutes
Latvian
Subtitles: 
English

The Latvian director’s graduation film from Moscow Film School does not deliver images loyal to the regime but is a testimony to her journalistic background. When the independence struggle is to be suppressed by military power, the people in Riga erect barricades. Laila Pakalniņa captured the dramatic events whose topicality is frightening.

Katharina Franck, Andreas Kötzing

Credits DOK Leipzig Logo

Director
Laila Pakalniņa
Script
Laila Pakalniņa
Cinematographer
Gints Bērziņš
Producer
Ināra Kolmane
Sound
Juris Riekstiņš, Ģirts Gaiķis
Retrospective 2023
Filmstill The Wall
The Wall
Anatolijs Pjatkins
A piece of the Berlin Wall stands in Riga – as a symbol of the freedom that must still be achieved there. People’s looks waver between hope and uncertainty.
Filmstill The Wall

The Wall

Mūris
Anatolijs Pjatkins
Retrospective 2023
Documentary Film
Latvia
1991
10 minutes
without dialogue
Subtitles: 
None

The Wall as a symbol. While the deadly border has already been overcome in Berlin, freedom must still be fought for in other states. A piece of the Wall was sent to Riga in 1990 – as a gesture of solidarity. A short cinematic essay in which people’s looks waver between hope and uncertainty.

Katharina Franck, Andreas Kötzing

Credits DOK Leipzig Logo

Director
Anatolijs Pjatkins
Script
Anatolijs Pjatkins
Cinematographer
Moisejs Bitke
Producer
Riga Documentary Film Studio
Score
Mārtiņš Brauns