- Original name: Pilsata pi upis
- Country: Latvia, Czech Republic, Lithuania
- Genre: drama
- Producer: Viesturs Kairish
- World premiere: 15 january 2020
- Starring: D. Suharevskis, B. Cmuntová, A. Cirule, A. Jurgaitis, G. Abolins, J. Budraitis, G. Pelna, M. Susejs, I. Slisans and others.
- Duration: 118 minutes
The name Viestrus Kairish is not familiar to most viewers. But he is considered one of the most powerful directors of contemporary Latvian cinema, and his films are received by critics very favorably. Several months ago, the director completed work on a new tape, which tells about difficult times in Latvian history. The official trailer of the movie "City by the River" with a release date in 2020 is already available for viewing, the details of the plot and the full cast are known.
IMDb rating - 7.7.
Plot
The film tells about the life of a small Latgale town in the period from the mid-30s to the early 40s of the XX century. In the center of history, in the cycle of changing ruling regimes, there is a young painter Ansis, who dreams of becoming a real artist. His profession is far from politics, but services are always in demand, regardless of the reigning regimes. And it is through his eyes that viewers see the arrival of Soviet power, the fascist occupation, the execution of the Jewish population.
And also in the life of a young man there is love. True, he is torn between two girls. One of them is a Jewess who dreams of fighting for Soviet ideals, and the other is the daughter of a veteran of the War of Independence.
Production and shooting
Director - Viestrus Kairish (Pelican in the Desert, Invisible City, The Chronicles of Melania).
Film team:
- Screenplay: Viestrus Kairish ("The Chronicles of Melania", "To Leave Passingly", "Dark Deer"), Gunars Janovskis;
- Producers: Guntis Trekteris ("Flashback. Look at the Threshold", "Summer Madness", "Natives"), Kestutis Drazdauskas ("The Last Resident", "Tokyo Trial", "100 Years Together"), Michal Krechek ("Journey to the Forest "," Pardon "," The Magic Pen ");
- Operator: Gints Berzins ("Losses", "Two Women", "Magic Kimono");
- Composer: Juste Janulyte;
- Artist: Ieva Yuryane ("Wedding", "Throw in passing", "Dark deer");
- Editing: Zaks Armands (What No One Sees, Breathing Into Marble).
Information about the start of work on the project appeared 5 years ago, but the first workers were leaked to the network only in the summer of 2018. Filming took place in Kraslava, Subate, Jekabpils, Daugavpils, Rezekne, Ludza, Aglona. Locals starred in cameo roles and crowd scenes.
Ego Media was responsible for production.
Director and screenwriter V. Kairish about the film:
“The film is very serious and strong. This is a monumental painting. This is a huge part of my life. "
Maris Suseis, who played one of the roles, said: "Kairish tells the story very easily, but at the same time makes you think about the past."
Actors
Cast:
- Davis Sukharevskis - Ansis;
- Brigita Tsmuntova - Zissel (Bouncers, Family Film, Brecht);
- Agnes Cyrule - Naiga (Dusted with Ashes, The Man in the Mirror, Marcus);
- Aydas Yurgatis - Andreas ("Mountain of Owls", "Chernobyl");
- Gundars Abolins - Bernstein, Ziseli's father ("The Mystery of the Old Council", "Red Chapel", "Forgotten");
- Juozas Budraitis - captain of the ship ("Pied Piper", "Sniffer", "Star");
- Guntis Pelna - Mamonov, NKVD officer.
Interesting Facts
Did you know that:
- The film is based on the novel of the same name by Gunars Janovskis.
- The age limit of the film is 12+.
- The English version of the title of the painting City on the River.
- The Chronicles of Melania, directed by V. Kairish, represented Latvia at the Oscar competition in the Best Foreign Film nomination.
- The director also has a Crystal Globe nomination for the film To Quit In Pastime.
The details of the plot and the cast of the movie "City by the River" (2020) are already known, an official trailer has appeared, and a release date is expected soon.