2023 IN-PERSON SCREENING LINE-UP
REMEMBER TO BLINK (Per arti)
Austėja Urbaitė, Lithuania, 2022
108 minutes. In English, French with English subtitles North American Premiere
In the picturesque French mountains, a couple's dream of a family turns into a tumultuous journey when they adopt two Lithuanian children, and employ a young Lithuanian interpreter to help with the transition. Austėja Urbaitė's debut film delves deep into the complexities of parenthood and cultural clashes, as the idyllic façade of their new family arrangement unravels, challenging the boundaries of culture and identity.
Director Austėja Urbaitė will present a Q&A following the screening of the film.
In-Person Screenings: Wednesday, November 8, 6:30 pm (Opening Night, VIP Pass Holders only)
Saturday, November 11, 1:00 pm
Virtual Screening:
WHAT WOULD YOU TAKE? (Mille Sina võtaksid?)
Heilika Pikkov, Estonia, 2023
23 minutes. In Ukrainian, English, Russian with English subtitles
Home. Your home. Your place. Your memories. Your belongings. In the blink of eye, it's gone. 'What Would You Take' is a documentary narrative portraits from Ukrainian refugees, the largest displacement of people in Europe since the Second World War.
In-Person Screening: Thursday, November 9, 6:30 pm
The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Andrew Horodysky (Ukrainian Institute of America) with director Heilika Pikkov, painter Lesia Khomenko, and art historian and curator Katherine Carl and will conclude with a concert by Estonian musician Maria Faust.
$10 from each screening ticket will be donated to the Ukrainian war humanitarian relief effort.
MACHINA FAUST (Machina Faust)
Kaupo Kruusiauk, Estonia, 2023
77 minutes. In Estonian with English Subtitles
North American Premiere
Machina Faust is an authentic and raw documentary that offers an unfiltered look at the life of Estonian composer and saxophonist Maria Faust. Directed by Kaupo Kruusiauk, it portrays Faust as a relatable and inspiring figure, shedding light on the challenges women face in the music industry and in society at large.
Maria Faust will present a Q&A following the screening of the film.
In-Person Screening: Friday, November 10, 6:00 pm
Virtual Screening: November 5-14
COLLECTIVE (Kolektīvs)
Aik Karapetian, Edgars Kaupers, Papa Chi, Oskars Rupenheits, Marta Elīna Martinsone, Mārtiņš Grauds, Latvia, 2023
98 minutes. In Latvian with English subtitles
International Premiere
Collective is a film anthology that revolves around the participants of the Latvian Song and Dance Festival, a cherished cultural tradition thriving in the Baltic states. Drawing inspiration from real-life events, this anthology features six directors, chosen for their distinctively different artistic styles and body of work and viewpoints.
In-Person Screening: Friday, November 10, 8:00 pm
MELCHIOR THE APOTHECARY: THE EXECUTIONER'S DAUGHTER (Apteeker Melchior. Timuka tütar)
Elmo Nüganen, Estonia/Germany/Latvia/Lithuania, 2022
90 minutes. In Estonian with English subtitles
North American Premiere
In the latest film in the Melchior the Apothecary trilogy, the protagonists’ quest to uncover the mystery behind a brutal attack brings him into contact with a shadowy night brotherhood and the arrival of a ruthless witch-hunter from Rome, pushing him and his wife to the brink of peril in a treacherous and enigmatic Tallinn.
Actress Maarja Johanna Mägi will present a Q&A following the screening of the film.
In-Person Screening: Saturday, November 11, 3:15 pm
SOVIET MILK (Mātes piens)
Ināra Kolmane, Latvia/Belgium, 2023
110 minutes. In Latvian, Russian with English subtitles
North American Premiere
Set against the backdrop of Soviet-occupied Latvia, Soviet Milk follows Astra, a doctor who defies the totalitarian regime, which leads to the unraveling of her professional and personal life. Based on Nora Ikstena’s bestselling novel, the film sensitively captures the tumultuous lives of its characters as they wrestle with personal demons while confronting an authoritarian regime, offering a poignant exploration of resilience and sacrifice.
In-Person Screening: Saturday, November 11, 5:30 pm
SLOW (Tu man nieko neprimeni)
Marija Kavtaradze, Lithuania/Spain/Sweden, 2023
108 minutes, In Lithuanian with English Subtitles
New York Premiere
In Marija Kavtaradze's moving film, a contemporary dancer and a sign language interpreter embark on a magnetic journey of love and understanding. As their relationship evolves from platonic to romantic, it becomes a profound exploration of asexuality, showcasing the limitations of physicality in closeness while challenging societal norms and expectations.
Director Marija Kavtaradze will present a Q&A following the screening of the film.
In-Person Screening: Saturday, November 11, 8;15 pm
CRIME SOLVING FOR BEGINNERS (Krimināllieta iesācējam)
Armands Zvirbulis, Latvia/Lithuania, 2022
2 x 45 minutes, In Latvian, Russian, English, Armenian with English subtitles
International Premiere
In the turbulent landscape of post-Soviet Latvia, a murder investigation intertwines the lives of a young investigator, a newly released criminal, and a politician, revealing a web of political conspiracy and personal struggle. Crime Solving for Beginners is a gripping Baltic Noir series that navigates the complexities of a nation in transition, where the shadow of the past still looms large, all within a captivating narrative structure that explores the intricate connections between personal and political battles.
The first two episodes of this seven-episode TV series will be screened in person at the Scandinavia House. All episodes will appear online on our streaming platform the day after.
Director Armands Zvirbulis will present a Q&A following the screening of the film.
In-Person Screening: Sunday, November 12, 2:00 pm
THE POET (Poetas)
Giedrius Tamoševičius, Vytautas V. Landsbergis, Lithuania, 2022
112 minutes, In Lithuanian, Russian with English subtitles
North American Premiere
In post-war Lithuania, a talented, yet disgraced, poet faces a moral crossroads when recruited by the KGB to infiltrate the forest-dwelling partisans as a way to save his career. As he grapples with his tarnished reputation and the oppressive Soviet regime, he must navigate a treacherous path between survival, loyalty, and resistance in this gripping exploration of courage and sacrifice.
Directors Giedrius Tamoševičius and Vytautas V. Landsbergis will present a Q&A following the screening of the film.
In-Person Screening: Sunday, November 12, 4:15 pm
SMOKE SAUNA SISTERHOOD (Savvusanna sõsarad)
Anna Hints, Estonia/France/Iceland, 2023
89 minutes, In Estonian, Seto, Võro with English subtitles
Smoke Sauna Sisterhood intimately explores the healing and communal experience of Estonian smoke saunas, highlighting their age-old tradition as a ritual among women in the Võro region. The film's masterful cinematography and authentic portrayal of women delves into themes of trauma, healing, and sisterhood. It won an award for Best Director at Sundance, and has been chosen as Estonia's contender for the Academy Awards.
Director Anna Hints will present a Q&A following the screening of the film.
In-Person Screening: Sunday, November 12, 7:00 pm