Latvian Documentary
by gyubbv | created - 05 Aug 2019 | updated - 14 Jul 2022 | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. Skersiela (1988)
89 min | Documentary
The Crossroad Street is a small street in the outskirts of Latvia's capital Riga, and its various inhabitants with their destinies, everyday routines and neighborly relations form the micro-model of society during the Awakening.
Director: Ivars Seleckis
Votes: 103
2. Is It Easy to Be Young? (1986)
83 min | Documentary, Drama
Portrayal of rebellious teenagers growing up under Communist rule in Latvia.
Director: Juris Podnieks
Votes: 420
4. Bet stunda nák (2003)
86 min | Documentary
Two men in post-communist Latvia go around preaching Gods word and get involved into all kind of encounters.
Director: Juris Poskus | Stars: Daniels Cirulis, Eriks Punculs
Votes: 71
5. Documentarian (2012)
82 min | Documentary
Inta is a brusque, crusty woman who lives alone on the edge of a picturesque marsh. One day her solitude is intruded upon by the arrival of a documentary filmmaker. In his eyes Inta is an ... See full summary »
Directors: Inese Klava, Ivars Zviedris
Votes: 162
6. My Father the Banker (2015)
71 min | Documentary, Biography
A detective story about the reappearance of a millionaire lost in Latvia in the 1990s.
Director: Ieva Ozolina | Stars: Ieva Ozolina, Zenta Krumina, Ilga, Maris Abilevs
Votes: 284
7. Baltic Tribes (2018)
103 min | Documentary, Drama, History
These are religious rituals, magical and true, the Battle of Saule, the Crusaders battles, our ancestors fiery battles for the free land. Who were the last pagans of Europe and who did they believe?
Directors: Lauris Abele, Raitis Abele | Stars: Kaspars Anins, Kristaps Bedritis, Lauma Balode, Carl Biorsmark
Votes: 576
8. Putin's Witnesses (2018)
102 min | Documentary
A rare glimpse at the young Putin and the vast political machine that brought him to power.
Director: Vitaliy Manskiy | Stars: Vladimir Putin, Tony Blair, Anatoliy Chubays, Mikhail Gorbachev
Votes: 1,505
9. The Soviet Story (2008)
Not Rated | 86 min | Documentary, History, War
The Soviet Story offers an alternative history of an Allied power, which helped the Nazis to fight Jews and which slaughtered its own people on an industrial scale.
Director: Edvins Snore | Stars: Jon Strickland, Vladimir Bukovsky, Vladimir Lenin, Norman Davies
Votes: 3,446
10. Merija's Journey (2018)
80 min | Documentary
At the end of the Second World War, when the German army retreated from Latvia, it also took along 700 boxes of materials from Latvian museums. If not for a young woman named Merija ... See full summary »
Director: Kristine Zelve | Stars: Daiga Kazocina, Marina Janaus
Votes: 41
11. Astonas Zvaigznes (2017)
101 min | Documentary, History, War
Historical and chronological depiction of how formed the first volunteer Latvian Riflemen battalions and their battles in World War 1, Latvian war of independence and Russian civil war.
Director: Askolds Saulitis
Votes: 22
12. Ievainotais Jatnieks (2017)
95 min | Biography
In two monumental symbols of Latvian national consciousness, the Brothers' Cemetery and the Freedom Monument, the sculptor Karlis Zale has immortalized his vision of the Latvian state and immortality.
Director: Ilona Bruvere | Stars: Imants Strads, Ieva Aleksandrova-Eklone, Normunds Berzs, Martins Bruveris
Votes: 17
13. Bridges of Time (2018)
78 min | Documentary
Kristine Briede and Audrius Stonys's meditative documentary essay portrays the less-remembered generation of cinema poets of the Baltic New Wave. With finesse, they push beyond the barriers... See full summary »
Directors: Kristine Briede, Audrius Stonys | Stars: Herz Frank, Uldis Brauns, Ivars Seleckis, Mark Soosaar
Votes: 68
14. Lustrum (2018)
90 min | Documentary
Director: Gints Grube | Stars: Georgs Andrejevs, Uldis Briedis, Lidija Doronina-Lasmane, Aldis Ermanbriks
Votes: 32
15. To Be Continued (2018)
95 min | Documentary
The lives of 5 children are followed during their first year of school in different parts of the Latvian countryside: their school activities, their dreams and their family lives. Their ... See full summary »
Director: Ivars Seleckis
Votes: 61
16. Family Instinct (2010)
58 min | Documentary, Biography, Drama
'Family Instinct' is a film about incest - an illegal act, social taboo and a violation of religious norms. Zanda is a 28-year-old woman, worn out by hard work. Surrounded by poverty and ... See full summary »
Director: Andris Gauja
Votes: 145
17. Valkyrie Limited (2009)
52 min | Documentary, Drama
The film seeks the fragile link between a pragmatically constructed performance and the world of the unconscious that lies within the music and the narrative.
Director: Davis Simanis Jr. | Stars: Gatis Gaga, Januss Johansons, Inga Misane, Girts Ravins
Votes: 12
18. Klucis - Nepareizais latvietis (2008)
89 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A deeply personal view on the life of artist Gustav Klucis, one of the foremost representatives of early 20th century Russian avant-guard art, whose life drama reflects the tragedy of a ... See full summary »
Director: Peteris Krilovs | Stars: Peteris Krilovs, Tatjana Zelukina, Edvard Kulagin, Aliki Kostakis
Votes: 47
19. Escaping Riga (2014)
69 min | Documentary, Biography
Two young boys are forced to escape their native city of Riga. Later these same boys turn out to be among the most extraordinary personalities of the previous century: one becomes a leading... See full summary »
Director: Davis Simanis Jr. | Stars: Lauma Balode, Gustavs Briedis, Gints Grube, Mihails Karasikovs
Votes: 58
20. Through the Needle (2014)
74 min | Documentary, Biography, Drama
Biographical story about a 23 year old guy who is a heroin addict, and how it's ruining his life.
Director: Arturs Lapinskis | Star: Edijs Vitolins
Votes: 1,220
21. Jaunie laiki skérsielá (1999)
85 min | Documentary
The second part of Ivars Seleckis' trilogy about Crossroad Street - an 800m-long street in the Pardaugava district of Riga, whose inhabitants, their relationships and fates, have served as ... See full summary »
Director: Ivars Seleckis | Stars: Klaus Maria Brandauer, Juris Gornavs
Votes: 58
22. Capitalism at Crossroad Street (2013)
102 min | Documentary
Director: Ivars Seleckis | Stars: Ieva Margevicha, Talivaldis Margévics
Votes: 40
23. Dieva putnini (2015)
Documentary
Toward the end of World War II, when it became clear that Latvia would be occupied by the Soviet Army again, some 150,000 people fled to Germany. These were representatives of various ... See full synopsis »
Director: Dzintra Geka
24. How Are You Doing, Rudolf Ming? (2010)
62 min | Documentary
Rudolf is a 13 year-old boy who is obsessed with film making. As a matter of fact, it is the only thing he is really fond of. Especially, he is carried away by the horror movies which he is... See full summary »
Director: Roberts Rubins | Star: Rudolf Ming
Votes: 46
26. Piektais Hamlets (2008)
56 min | Documentary
What does the question "to be or not to be?" mean to a person? Does the answer include only the biological difference between life and death or do these states interact with each other and ... See full summary »
Director: Krista Burane
28. 235 000 000 (1967)
108 min | Documentary
An emotional and visually attractive portrait of timeless moments in human life. 235 000 000 was made on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the 1917 Revolution. Without any commentary, allowing images to speak for themselves to music.
Directors: Uldis Brauns, Biruta Veldre, Laima Zurgina
Votes: 51
30. Is It Easy...? After 20 Years (2010)
80 min | Documentary
In 1986 Juris Podnieks, the outstanding Latvian filmmaker, made "Is It Easy To Be Young?", where he held conversations "on equal ground" with young people who had taken their first ... See full summary »
Director: Antra Cilinska
Votes: 14
31. Mans virs Andrejs Saharovs (2006)
52 min | Documentary, Biography
Through a vast coverage of exclusive archive materials and interviews and personally narrated by his wife, Yelena Bonner, the story of the life of Andrei Sakharov, the most famous Soviet ... See full summary »
Director: Inara Kolmane | Stars: Yelena Bonner, Andrei Sakharov
Votes: 22
32. The Invisible City (2014)
68 min | Documentary
Igor (30) has been living in the Zone of Chernobyl for almost ten years. He wanted to find peace and a chance to escape from the modern civilization. Psychological issues, both personal and... See full summary »
Director: Viesturs Kairiss
Votes: 14
33. One Ticket Please (2017)
65 min | Documentary
A 78-year-old Indian woman in New York is the world's most passionate theatergoer. Nicki Cochrane has been going to at least one play every day for more than 25 years, acquiring free tickets using a variety of ingenious means.
Director: Matiss Kaza | Stars: Andris Berzins, Brendan Kyle Cochrane, Nicki Cochrane, Aminata Grieta Diarra
Votes: 88
35. Zigfrids Anna Meierovics (2018)
48 min | Documentary
A cinematic portrait of the first Latvian foreign minister Zigfrids Anna Meierovics and the conception of the Latvian statehood.
Director: Talivaldis Margévics | Stars: Agnese Budovska, Andris Gindra, Girts Liuziniks
Votes: 16
36. Beyond the Fear (2015)
80 min | Documentary, History
The main characters of the film have made choices, which change their lives forever. A young man Yigal Amir assassinates the Prime Minister of Israel and becomes the most hated prisoner in ... See full summary »
Director: Mariya Kravchenko
Votes: 24
37. Augstaka tiesa (1987)
68 min | Documentary, Biography
A humanistic and up-close film about Waleri Dolgow who murdered a Latvian union leader in 1984. We see his trial, his imprisonment, his confession and his change.
Director: Herz Frank
Votes: 71
38. Padoties Aizliegts (2009)
Documentary
A story about Ritenieks family. Aivars Ritenieks has been training his sons Arnis and Raitis in weight lifting since they were 2 and 4 years old. At the ages of 10 and 12 the boys change ... See full summary »
Director: Dzintars Dreibergs | Stars: Aivars Ritenieks, Arnis Ritenieks, Raitis Ritenieks
Votes: 18
40. The Goat Who Climbed to Heaven (2019)
112 min | Documentary
Poets, musicians and thinkers met at the "Kaza" cafe. What has changed in the meantime? Freedom and borders, today and the past.
Director: Laima Zurgina
Votes: 12
42. Four Search for a Million (1979)
50 min | Documentary
Four young men after university are sent to work as managers in colectiv enterprises (kolkhoz). How they try to achieve something better in soviet system.
Director: Ansis Epners
43. Constellation of Rifleman (1982)
52 min | Documentary, History, War
Interviews with last living Latvian riflemen. Volunteers who fought in WWI, Latvian war of independence and Russian civil war.
Director: Juris Podnieks
Votes: 19
46. Par dzimteniti (2008)
52 min | Documentary
Three elderly country bachelors idle away their time amidst semi-wild nature, closer to birds and pond fish than to humans.
Directors: Maris Maskalans, Laila Pakalnina
Votes: 24
47. Ruch and Norie (2015)
65 min | Documentary
Documentary "Ruch and Norie" is a human interest story about two contrasting people striking up a surprising spiritual relationship. Japanese student Norie Tsuruta travels to Latvia to ... See full summary »
Director: Inara Kolmane | Stars: Marija Steimane Ruch, Norie Tsuruta
Votes: 32
48. Par desmit minutem vecaks (1978)
10 min | Documentary, Short
A 10 minute long journey of emotions that befall children faces. Fear, Curiosity; a Smile. They all sit in a dark theater. What they see, we don't; we can only guess from their faces.
Director: Herz Frank
Votes: 744
49. Baltie zvani (1961)
24 min | Short, Adventure
Monochrome split screen film. Left-hand side shows studio-based cellist playing the musical accompaniment to the film. The right hand-side shows exterior images of people in a cityscape, with main focus being on a girl's journey.
Director: Ivars Kraulitis | Star: Ilze Zarina
Votes: 83
50. Leiputrija (2004)
35 min | Documentary, Short
A documentary film crew arrive at a Latvian garbage dump to investigate reports of a giant mutated worm living in the garbage. When the worm story proves to be a myth, rather than waste ... See full summary »
Director: Laila Pakalnina
Votes: 68
52. Teodors (2006)
29 min | Documentary, Short
Every day, come rain or shine, Theodore used to bike the seven kilometres from his house to the centre of the village to sit and drink beer in the bus stop. For him, no doubt, this place ... See full summary »
Director: Laila Pakalnina
Votes: 20
53. Dotais Lielums Mana Mate (2017)
104 min | Documentary
Dissatisfied with his personality, a young mathematician from a family of divorced academics decides to punish his mother for wrong upbringing. A touching yet humorous story about a mother ... See full summary »
Director: Ieva Ozolina | Stars: Raitis Ozols, Silvija Ozola, Maris Ozols, Janis Brencis
Votes: 61
54. The Sixth Player (2016)
81 min | Documentary, Sport
Documentary film the Sixth Player follows basketball fans and their emotions throughout the European Basketball Championship in Riga in 2015. Basketball is being played for the fans and ... See full summary »
Directors: Dzintars Dreibergs, Rihards Olmanis | Stars: Janis Amanis, Ainars Bagatskis, Andris Bulis, Juris Garkalns
Votes: 7
55. Conversation with the Queen (1980)
Documentary
Vija Artmane in a zenith of her fame and a woman with worked hands. An actress without makeup and without acting.
Director: Rolands Kalnins | Star: Vija Artmane
Votes: 8
56. Kas tur tik laikmetigs? (2014)
37 min | Documentary, Short
Directors: Andrejs Ekis, Dzintars Dreibergs | Stars: Juris Kalnins, Katrine Pasternaka, Anne Barlow, Ana Lopez de Munain
Votes: 7
57. My Father the Spy (2019)
85 min | Documentary
As a young Soviet student in 1978, Ieva could not have predicted that a holiday visit to her father, Imants Lesinskis, then working in the Soviet mission at the United Nations in New York ... See full summary »
Directors: Gints Grube, Jaak Kilmi | Stars: Natalija Knipse, Ieva Lesinska, Imants Lesinskis, Marta Lesinska
Votes: 137
58. Looking for Mr. Dice (2019)
79 min | Documentary
Director Kaspars Roga travels to Sierra Leone to find out what really happened ten years ago, when his friend Mr. Dice run away after his bank went bankrupt, losing all the investors' money, including director's.
Director: Kaspars Roga
Votes: 79
59. My Favorite War (2020)
80 min | Documentary, Animation
A personal, animated documentary about the director's life growing up in Latvia during the Soviet era 1970-1990, where Sovjet used WW2 as an ideological weapon to suppress and scare the population.
Director: Ilze Burkovska Jacobsen
Votes: 369
60. Mothers and Others (2020)
58 min | Documentary
The film follows four Latvian women during different stages of pregnancy. They go through a mix of emotions, highlighting that pregnancy, contrary to mainstream representation, is not only about the child - it is about the mother, too.
Directors: Liene Linde, Armands Zacs
Votes: 15
61. Kino un mes (2020)
87 min | Comedy
Three actors return to the legendary times of the Riga Film Studio and re-stage classic Soviet Latvian films.
Director: Matiss Kaza | Stars: Egons Dombrovskis, Andris Keiss, Janis Skutelis
Votes: 54
62. Valiant! A Car, a Cause, and the Cold War (2022)
Documentary
When Juris, a New Jersey native born to Latvian WW2 refugees, lifts the tarp that's been covering his old car for the last 25 years, he finds his '71 Valiant "Slant Six" invaded by ... See full summary »
Director: Mara Pelecis
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