Baltic Event Screenings Wednesday, November 26 10:00 Screening 1 Modris ( Latvia / Germany / Greece) 12:00 Screening 2 OKI - In the Middle of the Ocean (Latvia) 14:30 Screening 3 Cherry Tobacco (Estonia) Thursday, November 27 10:00 Screening 4 When You Wake Up (Lithuania) 12:00 Screening 5 Landscape with Many Moons (Estonia / Finland) 14:30 Screening 6 Non Present Time (Lithuania) 16:15 Screening 7 The Man in the Orange Jacket (Latvia) Friday, November 28 10:00 Screening 8 Rocks in My Pockets (Latvia) Baltic Event industry screenings will take place in cinema Artis, which is situated in Solaris Centre (Estonia pst 9) within 5-10minutes walking distance from Nordic Hotel Forum. Coming from the hotel and through the park, you will first reach the Estoniapuiestee access to Solaris Centre. Just walk through the centre, turn right before the other exit and use the stairs or lift opposite the Burrito place to reach the cinema on the 3rd floor. Baltic Event industry screenings are accessible with industry badges only.
Modris Screening 1 Modris is a normal 17-year-old with a girlfriend and some good pals at school. But his addiction to gambling makes his relationship with his mother difficult, especially since she keeps on reminding him that his father is in prison - so Modris must have inherited his bad genes. Things come to a head in the middle of the Nordic winter when Modris pawns his mother s electric heater so he can play the slot machines. She betrays him to the police, and as he begins his adventures in the Latvian justice system, his relationship to the outside world changes. Soon Modris becomes determined to find the father he never knew. Latvia, Germany, Greece 98 min, DCP, 1:2,39, 5.1 Original title: Modris Genre: drama : Juris Kursietis Screenwriter: Juris Kursietis Cinematographer: Bogumil Godfrejow Editor: Yorgos Mavropsaridis Main cast: Kristers Pikša, Rezija Kalnina Producers: Vicky Miha, Juris Kursietis Co-producers: Ingmar Trost Production companies: Red Dot Media (Latvia), Sutor Kolonko (Germany), Boo Productions (Greece) Premiere: September 2014 (Toronto International Film Festival) Looking for: festivals, distribution Juris Kursietis (director/writer) started his career at the age of 20, when he worked for the Latvian Television news department as foreign news correspondent. At that point he was also taking his first steps in longer feature stories or mini-documentaries. In the 15 minute slots that went on prime time TV, he developed and directed from character stories to journalistic investigations. After 6 years in television he turned to cinema. He went to the UK to do his masters in film directing at the Northern Media School. At the same time in 2007 and 2008 he worked as 1st assistant director on several feature films in Latvia. He graduated his film school with distinction and his graduation mid length (42 minutes) fiction film received attention in the UK and Latvia. In 2008 he joined Red Dot Media, where since he has directed numerous TV commercials, directed full length documentaries, worked as a scriptwriter for feature films and shot his debut feature film Modris. Red Dot Media Dzelzavas iela 120s LV-1021, Riga, Latvia Phone: +371 2676 7280 E-mail: modris@reddotmedia.lv www.modrisfilm.com 75
Oki In the Middle of the Ocean Screening 2 Maris Martinsons is an internationally awarded film director, screenwriter, editor and producer. After graduating from Latvia Conservatoires in 1989 as a drama theatre director he worked together with Latvian musicians as an independent director/producer for music videos. Martinsons originally worked in the TV field, creating numerous original TV shows, music videos and TV series mostly as director and screenwriter and each of these productions brought him a step closer to creating a feature film. During 2008-2010 Martinsons first feature film Loss traveled all round the world participating in numerous film festivals and official screenings, winning A class film festival awards - Best and Best Music in Shanghai IFF (2008). Loss represented Lithuania in the Academy Awards as the Best Foreign Language film. After the international premiere of Loss, Martinsons met Japanese actress Kaori Momoi, and devoted her a new story film Amaya (2010) that lately was shot in Hong Kong. Latvia 82 min, DCP, 1.1,85, Stereo Original title: Oki in the Middle of the Ocean Genre: drama / mystery : Maris Martinsons Screenwriter: Maris Martinsons Cinematographer: Valdis Celmins Editor: Maris Martinsons Main cast: Kaori Momoi, Andris Bulis, Hannah Levien Producers: Linda Krukle, Maris Martinsons, Uldis Cekulis Production companies: Krukfilms, VFS films, Backyard Productions Premiere: April 2014 Looking for: distribution Rob, a former real estate broker, unemployed, starts following a strange Japanese woman, Oki, who constantly moves from house to house. He drags his roommate Wylie into the investigation during which they have to face the dark past and curse of Oki, while dealing with the history of their own. Next feature films have been created as very low-budget films and the reason hasn t been only lack of money, but mainly - to have bigger freedom and independent feeling on the filming location. Thus was created Christmas. Uncensored (2013), shot in Lithuania, Oki - in the Middle of the Ocean (2014), shot in Los Angeles together with Kaori Momoi. Linda Krukle Krukfilms, Kalnciema 1a-11, Riga, LV-1048, Latvia Phone: + 371 2205 1060 E-mail: linda.krukle@gmail.com Sales Vilnis Kalnaellis Rija Films, Meness str. 4, Riga, LV-1013, Latvia Phone: + 371 6736 2656 E-mail: info@rijafilms.lv www.rijafilms.lv 76
Cherry Tobacco Screening 3 Cherry Tobacco is about a small-town girl, Laura, who is constantly bored. Her mother gets on her nerves, boys her age are stupid and everything anyone wants to do seems childish. One day Laura s energetic friend Merit invites her on a hike to a bog led by a middle-aged nature-lover called Joosep. The beginning of the trip is anything but promising: the relation- ship between the reserved girl and the outgoing Joosep, who tries to impress the hiking party with his hillbilly style and bizarre rituals, becomes tense. But much to her own surprise, Laura discovers that as the hike continues she is enchanted by the rugged charms of Joosep. The quest is coming to its irrefutable end and Laura has to decide whether a relationship with an older man is a mere step along the winding road towards becoming a woman or whether it is her very first love. s Katrin Maimik (1982) received a bachelor s degree in dramatic theory from the University of Tartu in 2005 and an MA in scriptwriting from Tallinn University s Baltic Film and Media School in 2013. Filmography: Cherry Tobacco (2014), The Photo (short, 2013), Silver- Wedding (short, 2013), Old Fish (documentary, 2010). Estonia 93 min, DCP, 1:2,39, Surround 5.1 Original title: Kirsitubakas Genre: youth drama s: Katrin Maimik, Andres Maimik Screenwriters: Katrin Maimik, Andres Maimik Cinematographer: Mihkel Soe Editors: Marta Pulk, Andres Maimik Main cast: Maris Nõlvak, Gert Raudsep, Getter Meresmaa, Anne Reemann, Maarja Jakobson. Producer: Anneli Lepp Production company: Kuukulgur Film Premiere: July 2014, Karlovy Vary IFF Looking for: distribution and sales Andres Maimik (1970) studied at Tartu Art College and the Estonian Institute of Humanities. He graduated from Tallinn Pedagogical University with a degree in directing documentaries (2009). He has worked as a journalist, film director and editor, scriptwriter and copywriter. Filmography: Cherry Tobacco (full-length feature film, 2014), Farts of Fury (full-length feature film, 2011), I Will Survive (documentary, 2011), 184 Kilometers (full-length feature film, 2006), Art of Selling (documentary, 2005), Living Force (documentary, 2003). Anneli Lepp Kuukulgur Film Niine 11 10414 Tallinn, Estonia Phone: + 372 529 4604 E-mail: anneli@kuukulgur.ee www.kuukulgur.ee 77
When You Wake Up Screening 4 The singer called Punk is no longer of much interest to anyone. After his brush with fame, it only took a few years of drugs and alcohol to reach rock bottom. After yet another small town concert, Punk ends up spending the night backstage, drunk and alone. When he opens his eyes in the morning, he sees a little girl, who introduces herself as his daughter. Two lost souls set out on a trip together a trip which will not only change their lives, but will also bring them together to appreciate the joy it brings. Lithuania 100 min, DCP, 1:2,39, Dolby Digital 5.1 Original title: Pakeliui Genre: family, drama, road trip : Ricardas Marcinkus Cinematographer: Julius Siciunas Editor: Darius Silenas Main cast: Mantas Jankavicius, Dzesika Vienazindyte, Leonardas Pobedonoscevas, Janina Matekonyte, Jurgita Jurkute Producers: Zilvinas Naujokas, Ricardas Marcinkus Production companyies: Litl Baz Pictures, Full Screen Premiere: November 2014 Born in Kelme in 1979, Ricardas Marcinkus is now one of Lithuania s most talented film directors. After earning a bachelor s degree in photography in 2000, he began working at Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) as a news cameraman. In 2013 Marcinkus graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre with a degree in film directing. Marcinkus has completed several short films, music videos and documentaries. His first film was Misunderstanding, 2012), a short that he wrote and directed. All of his short films have been shown at the Vilnius International Film Festival. As a director, Marcinkus has received critical acclaim. In 2014, his documentary Final Destination won the Silver Crane s Egg award for the best student film at the 7th Lithuanian film industry awards ceremony. This film was also recognized as the best student documentary at the prestigious International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA). Another one of Marcinkus short films Experman was nominated for a Silver Crane award in 2013. In 2013, Marcinkus joined three other well-known directors to make Single Valentine. This comedy became the third highest-grossing Lithuanian film of all times in region territory admissions. Juliana Miliut, Assistant Producer Litl Baz Pictures T. Sevcenkos 16a-310 03111, Vilnius, Lithuania Phone: +370 6843 2628 E-mail: juliana@litlbaz.com www.litlbaz.com 78
Landscape with Many Moons Screening 5 Landscape with Many Moons is a drama about a middle-aged man who lives a seemingly ordinary life with his wife and children. The truth is, however, that their relationship has reached a dead end but they prefer the illusory decorations of living together to the free fall into emptiness. The man gallivants around between his previous and current relationships without knowing exactly what to do with them. Living on the edge starts to overburden his nervous system and as a result, actual reality and dream-like reality blend together and it becomes ever harder to distinguish between what is real and what is not. Landscape with Many Moons portrays the explosive state right before going mad when the person cannot get into contact with life anymore. The film, however, is in no way depressing and the absurd situations, deviations from reality and surprising transitions offer comic recognition. Jaan Toomik is an Estonian video artist, painter and award-winning filmmaker, often described as the most widely acknowledged Estonian contemporary artist on the international scene. He has director two short features - Communion (2007) and Oleg (2011). Landscape with Many Moons is his first full-length feature. Estonia, Finland 80 min, DCP, 1:1,85, Dolby Digital Original title: Maastik mitme kuuga : Jaan Toomik Screentwriter: Jaan Toomik Cinematographer: Mart Taniel E.S.C. Main cast: Hendrik Toompere, Jaanika Juhanson, Maria Avdjushko, Garmen Tabor Producer: Ivo Felt Co-Producer: Kaarle Aho Production companies: Allfilm (Estonia), Making Movies OY (Finland) Domestic premiere: October 2, 2014 Allfilm Saue 11 Tallinn 10612, Estonia Phone: +372 672 9070 E-mail: ivo@allfilm.ee www.allfilm.ee 79
Non Present Time Screening 6 Non Present Time tells a story of a young man s confusion in present times. The protagonist Tadas (30) is looking for answers to questions that are relevant to many of his peers, coming of age in between nostalgic socialist childhood dreams and the ideals pushed by a young rushing democracy. Tadas is in a troubled relationship with his wife, a reserved one with his parents, and his relationship with friends? There just isn t any. His life is fast-paced, with a joint of weed being his only option to relax. There is no way out from the rut but down until one day Tadas drives off the road on his way to another business trip. He is put to the hospital, where time stops for him. Doctors aren t telling what s wrong with him, his parents look worried and on top of that, a childhood friend he hasn t seen in ages shows up out of the blue sky. Lithuania 85 min, DCP, 16:9, Dolby Stereo Original title: Nesamasis Laikas Genre: fiction : Mykolas Vildziunas Screenwriter: Mykolas Vildziunas Cinematographer: Audrius Budrys Editors: Kostas Radlinskas, Mykolas Vildziunas Main cast: Tadas Gryn, Valentinas Novopolskis, Toma Vaskeviciute, Nele Savicenko, Sigitas Rackys Producer: Dagne Vildziunaite Production company: Just a moment Premiere/release: February 2014 Looking for: festivals, sales Mykolas Vildziunas (b. in Lithuania in 1981) graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater, Theatre and Film Faculty and TV department with a BA in acting. Three years later he came back to the same Academy to study Film and TV directing and in 2009 graduated with MA in audiovisual arts. He is a co-founder of production company Just a Moment and of the independent artists company Kaukių Akademija (The Academy of Masks). Also he works as freelance actor and director for such live events and performances as the opening show of Vilnius European Capital of Culture 2009. Filmography: Non Present Time (2014), Magpie 2 (documentary, 2012), Belonging to the Kings (documentary, student film 2007), As Beautiful as Adomaitis (documentary, student film 2006) Dagne Vildziunaite Just a moment Pylimo str. 9-13 Vilnius LT01118, Lithuania Phone: +370 6868 8980 E-mail: dagne@justamoment.lt www.justamoment.lt 80
The Man in the Orange Jacket Screening 7 A young man gets fired and begins to stalk his boss and his young wife. After blood chilling turn of events he tries to escape his past and move into their luxurious mansion. Nothing can prepare him for an unsettling visit by a vaguely familiar guest. The house will not be a safe haven anymore, but becomes a twisted and dangerous trap. Aik Karapetian, born on July 10, 1983, in Armenia. He was raised and studied in Latvia. After having received his MA degree in film directing from the Latvian Academy of Culture, Aik Karapetian went on to study at the Académie Internationale des Arts ESEC in Paris where he graduated in 2008. At the Latvian National Film Festival Lielais Kristaps 2007 his short film Disgust, 2007 was awarded the title of Best Student Film. The jury then made a special exception and included the film in the Professional Category, where the film received a prize and received nominations for both, Best Short Film and Best Supporting Actress. Two years later, Aik himself was asked to participate in the jury of the National Film Festival. People Out There (2012) was Aik s debut as director of a full-length feature film, premiered in the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. The horror film titled The Man in the Orange Jacket (M.O.J), is Aik s second feature film. Latvia 71 min, DCP, 1:2,35, D-Cinema 48kHz 5.1 Original title: The Man in the Orange Jacket Genre: horror, thriller, mystery : Aik Karapetian Screenwriter: Aik Karapetian Cinematographers: Janis Eglitis, Jurgis Kmins Editor: Andris Grants Main cast: Maxim Lazarev, Anta Aizupe, Aris Rozentals Producer: Roberts Vinovskis Associate producer: Maria Reinup Production companies: Locomotive Productions (Latvia), Jarve Studio (Estonia) Premiere: July 2014 Fantasia International Film Festival (Canada) Looking for: festivals and distribution Locomotive Productions Bruninieku iela 28-57, LV-1011 Riga, Latvia Phone: +371 2929 8667 E-mail: rv@locomotive.lv www.locomotive.lv Sales Loic Magneron WIDE 9, rue Bleue, Paris 75009, France Phone: +33 1 5395 0464 E-mail: lm@widemanagement.com www.widemanagement.com 81
Rocks in My Pockets Screening 8 Latvia, the late 1920 s. Anna, a young woman, pretty and educated, falls in love with an adventurous entrepreneur, 30 years her senior. But with marriage comes great jealousy, and the entrepreneur hides Anna away in the forest, far from other men, where she bears him eight children. The Great Depression hits them hard. Then Latvia is overrun with invasions by the Soviets, then the Nazis, then the Soviets once again. Anna is a pillar of strength, defying the hardships, raising her young, teaching them survival secrets of the forest. But something inside her is terribly wrong. Years later, Signe, a young artist, asks her father, how did my grandmother die? Her father is evasive. His seven siblings are evasive, as well. Signe strongly suspects that Anna committed suicide. Clues of mental illness had always leaked through the family stories. Signe suffers from depression herself. Her suicidal fantasies get her locked away for four months in a Soviet mental institute. Three of her cousins, all women, battle madness, as well. Could there be a link between Anna and the four granddaughters? Defying the stigma that silences so many, Signe takes us on a journey deep into her own depression where she looks to confront the family demons. Signe Baumane was born in Latvia, educated in Moscow, lived in Brooklyn, NY. She has made 15 animated shorts and Rocks In My Pockets is her first feature film. Latvia 88 min, DCP, 16:9, D-Cinema 48kHz 5.1 Original title: Akmeni manas kabatas Genre: feature animation : Signe Baumane Screenwriter: Signe Baumane Editor: Wendy Cong Zhao Voiceover: Signe Baumane Producer: Signe Baumane Co-producers: Roberts Vinovskis, Sturgis Warner Production companies: Locomotive Productions, Rocks in My Pockets LLC Premiere: July 2014 Karlovy Vary IFF Looking for: festivals and distribution Roberts Vinovskis Locomotive Productions Street address: Bruninieku iela 28-57 LV-1011 Riga, Latvia Phone: +371 2929 8667 E-mail: rv@locomotive.lv www.locomotive.lv 82