Latvia 2016, 105 min, age recommendation 15+, Latvian + English subtitles
Chaotic family circumstances have left 17-year-old Raya and her unruly little brother dumped with their grandma in the country. At school, an English-language competition presents the chance of broadening her horizons, but life, love and mortality intervene to see her growing up even more quickly than she’d bargained for. This spare, unsentimental coming-of-age tale showcases the compelling, self-contained presence of teenage first-timer Elina Vaska – potentially an international star in the making.
Festivals / Awards
Berlinale, Generation 14plus – Crystal Bear for the Best Film
Cyprus Film Days IFF, Cyprus – Best Director Award
Karlovy Vary IFF, Czech Republic – Variety Critics’ Choice
Der neue Heimat, Freistadt, Austria – Special mention
Baltic Debut Film Festival, Russia – Grand Prix for the Best Film
IFF “East & West”, Odenburg, Russia – Grand-Prix for the Best Film, Best Actress, Russian Film Critics Prize
CinEast, Luxembourg – GRAND PRIX
Filmfest Osnabrück, Germany – Audience Award
National Film Festival LIELAIS KRISTAPS, Latvia – Best Feature Film, Best Actress, Best Scriptwriter Award
Nordische Filmtage Lübeck, Germany – Children and Youth Jury Award
Bratislava IFF, Slovakia – Student Award
International Film Festival of India, Goa, India – Best Actress award
