Riga International Film Festival has begun and offers diverse festival programme to viewers in cinema and online. It’s your chance to see international film festival favourites, classics & new debuts until October 27. If you have a hard time deciding from the full programme, here are some top picks & recommendations from BOBE.
ARMAND by Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel. 21 October 19:00 ; 23 October 18:30; 26 October 17:00 (Daugavpils) or online.
Foreword by the programme curator: The Bergmanism of Bergman's grandson in his debut feature can hardly be concealed. Nearly all human passions flicker in one long afternoon conversation.
TOGETHER 99 by Lukas Moodysson. 22 October 18:00 or online
Foreword by the programme curator: Community spirit is forever alive and kicking. But is it forever young? Within the span of one evening, past loves, radical political views, and banal domestic squabbles will get all mixed up like in a cheerfully mad cocktail shaker to find out whether it is truly impossible to step into the same river twice.
THE ROOM NEXT DOOR by Pedro Almodóvar. 25 October 18:30
Foreword by the programme curator: A specific request in the tomato-red boudoir seems to promise an epiphany and solace, yet its dangers usher us into a glossy, Hitchcockian crime thriller.
BIRD by Andrea Arnold. 25 October 21:00 ; 27 October 19:00
Foreword by the programme curator: A wild and, despite the harshness on the surface, naive embodiment of the spirit of freedom in the tradition of British independent film. A piece whose dynamics compete with music, which in turn breathes in tune with the restless, happiness-chasing, and sometimes happiness-catching characters.
CROSSING by Levan Akin. 25 October 18:00 (Daugavpils) ; 26 October 20:30 or online.
Foreword by the programme curator: The ancient city at the crossroads of Europe and Asia is still as buzzing as ever: bustling streets, noisy restaurants, dirty alleys, and friendly strangers. For the unusual traveller duo, this journey that started out on a worrying note will take an unexpectedly healing turn, sweeping away everyday prejudices.
As music lovers we want to highlight the BALTIC MUSIC VIDEO COMPETITION. 24 October 21:00 at Splendid Palace. For more info about this year’s videos see our article.
The programme curator says:
“The Baltic music video scene is noticeably gaining muscle, expanding in a global context while simultaneously recognising its uniqueness and strength, drawn from nature, mythology, concrete, and bacon. This year's competition showcases visually and thematically unpredictable and witty solutions, which, despite the wild diversity of genres, form a unified, thrilling, and thoroughly enjoyable journey with a Baltic aesthetic flavour.”
The Baltic Music Video Competition screening invites viewers, festival guests, filmmakers, and musicians to come together and experience music videos in all their glory and uniqueness. A screening you are sure to remember!
Dig deeper into the RIGA IFF on their website & see you at the screenings.
