Archive of films Dark Deer / Tumšie brieži

Latvia / Austria
2006, 85 min

Section: East of the West - Competition
Year: 2007

A psychological drama from present-day Latvia. A group of German-speaking tourists arrive at a country estate for a deer hunt. 17-year-old Ria cannot reconcile herself to the fact that her father earns a living in this way, and she tries to prevent the hunt from taking place. Then family traumas start to float to the surface…

Synopsis

A group of German-speaking tourists arrive at a country estate for a deer hunt. 17-year-old Ria cannot reconcile herself to the fact that her father Alf earns a living in this way, and she tries to prevent the event from taking place. The shooting party includes Augusts, who left Latvia several years before and settled abroad, where he lives in a childless marriage. His arrival opens up oppressive family issues from the past (car accident and subsequent mental breakdown of the mother), which sensitive Ria deals with in a somewhat resolute manner, convinced in her young mind that she has acted correctly. The Dark Deer is based on the play of the same name by respected writer Inga Ābele, whose work is compared to the dramas of Tennessee Williams. Director Viesturs Kairišs has turned the dramatic text into a successful film adaptation in which he draws on the peculiar charm of the deer farm and the capable performances of all the leading actors.

About the director

Viesturs Kairišs (b. 1971, Riga) studied film and stage direction and works in both professions. In 1999 he won an award as best Latvian stage director, the previous year he was applauded for his production at EXPO Lisbon 1998, and his staging of the opera Eugene Onegin won a music prize. He has been making films since 1995, initially documentaries and short films. His half-hour feature Wedding (Kazas, 2000) won several awards. After his feature-length debut Leaving by the Way (Pa celam aizejot, 2001), which was screened in the main competition at Karlovy Vary in 2002, he continued to make short films. He has been a member of the Latvian Filmmakers’ Union since 1998.

Contacts

Ego Media
Baznicas 8-20, LV 1010, Riga
Latvia
Tel: +37129219373
Fax: +371 6727 0542
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.egomedia.lv

National Film Centre of Latvia
Peitavas street 10, LV - 1050, Riga
Latvia
Tel: +371 673 588 78, +371 673 588 66
Fax: + 371 673 588 77
E-mail: [email protected]
www: www.nkc.gov.lv

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About the film

Color, 35 mm
International premiere

Section:	East of the West - Competition

Director:	Viesturs Kairišs
Screenplay:	Viesturs Kairišs, na motivy divadelní hry Ingy Ābeleové / based on the play by Inga Ābele
Dir. of Photography:	Gints Bērziņš
Music:	Artūrs Maskats
Editor:	Klaus Hundsbichler, Dāvis Sīmanis
Producer:	Guntis Trekteris
Production:	Kaupo Filma
Cast:	Kristīne Krūze, Elita Kļaviņa, Juris Žagars, Kaspars Dimiters, Maija Doveika
Contact:	Ego Media, National Film Centre of Latvia

Guests

Guntis Trekteris

Producer

Kristine Kruze

Actress, Actress

Marta Bite

Producer

Ieva Pitruka

Festival Organizer