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CAFÉ EX at Club SAW 67 Nicholas St. BALTIC film festival
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The CFI is pleased to present, in collaboration with the Embassy of Latvia, the Embassy of Estonia, and the Embassy of Lithuania, this second festival of films from the three Baltic nations. As in its first incarnation in January 1999, this second festival of work from the Baltic nations reveals the impressive range of work being produced in that region in short, animated, and feature dramatic forms.
We want to acknowledge the support of the following organizations and individuals in preparing the second Baltic Film Festival: Embassy of Estonia, Embassy of Latvia, Embassy of Lithuania, Zane Petre, National Film Centre of Latvia (Riga), Lelda Ozola, Bruno Ascuks, Andris Rozenbergs, Andris Kesteris, Estonian Film Foundation, The Latvian National Federation in Canada.
Latvia 2000, 112 min. Director: Aigars Grauba This period drama is set in 1940, a year of terror in Europe when the independent Latvian nation is also occupied. With the tangled and often distressing political events of World War II, DANGEROUS SUMMER tells the story of tempestuous love affair between a Prussian girl and a Latvian radio journalist. Beyond the intimate life of the couple, Grauba’s film explores the dangerous political games being played, games which leave an impact on nations and their leaders, the people and their lives. Preceded by the animated short film HOME HOLE HORRORS (2000, 6 min., Director: Nils Skapans), which tells the story of a raccoon, a woodpecker, and mutually assured irritation. English sub-titles.
Thurs./jeudi Jan. 24 jan., 19:00 ESTONIA THE HIGHWAY CROSSING
Estonia 1999, 68 min. Director: Arko Okk Surprised by rain and sudden darkness Laura and Roland, a young couple hitch-hiking on an empty road, decide to seek shelter at a nearby country house. Osvald, the owner, seems to know the deeper meaning of their unexpected visit. His strange behaviour leads to an equally strange offer: Osvald wants to buy his Roland’s wife. Laura and Roland start to play along, only to discover that their host is not kidding. Arko Okk´s debut film THE HIGHWAY CROSSING is based on popular stage play by actor Jaan Tätte, who stars in the role of Roland. It is a modern fairytale about the choice between love and money. Preceded by Janno Poldma’s ON THE POSSIBILITY OF LOVE (1998, 15 min.), a warmly absurd and humorous animation film dealing with both revolting against routine and revolting against revolting. English sub-titles.
Fri./ven. Jan. 25 jan., 19:00 LITHUANIA ELZE’S LIFE
Lithuania/Germany 2000, 139 min. Dir. Algimantas Puipa Adapted from the Ernst Wichert novel, this moving drama is set in the exotic but barren region of East Prussia at the turn of the 20th century. Two fishing boats are struggling in the open seas in the deep fog, connecting through fate fishery boss Grunbaum and humble fisherman Jurgaitis. When one boat keels over, Jurgaitis saves Grunbaum, but is convicted for attempted murder. Jurgaitis’ daughter, Elze, meanwhile is taken in by the merchant Mykolas. As Elze grows and matures, it is in the house of Mykolas that the love between Elze and Mykolas' son Endrikie is born, a love that is doomed to repeat the destiny of Romeo and Juliet. While their forbidden love causes chaos, Jurgaitis plans his revenge on Grunbaum. English sub-titles.
