Directed by:
Dzintars DreibergsScreenplay:
Boris FruminCinematography:
Valdis CelmiņšComposer:
Lolita RitmanisCast:
Lauma Balode, Rezija Kalnina, Мартиньш Вилсонс, Oto Brantevics, Raimonds Celms, Jekabs Reinis, Gatis Gāga, Renars Zeltins, Vilis Daudzins, Greta Trusina (more)VOD (1)
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A 16-year-old Latvian farm-boy, Arturs enlists to fight in First World War with dreams of becoming a hero, but after surviving the brutalities of trench warfare and the loss of his family, he wonders if his efforts in battle were futile... Latvia. The love story of sixteen-year-old Arturs is interrupted by the First World War. After losing his mother and his home, he finds some consolation in joining the army, because this is the first time national battalions are allowed in the Russian Empire. But war is nothing like Arturs imagined – no glory, no fairness. It is brutal and painful. Arturs is now completely alone as war takes the lives of his father and brother. Also, no progress is made in the promised quick resolution of the war and timely return home. Within the notion that only he alone cares about returning home and that his homeland is just a playground for other nations, Arturs finds strength for the final battle and eventually returns home to start everything from scratch, just like his newly born country. (Cinemax)
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Reviews (4)
There are excellent war films being made in the Baltics, the only thing missing from perfection is a bigger budget. First, the Estonians delighted me with their take on World War II, today it was the Latvians with the first one, which was supposed to be the last... It was probably meant as a somber celebration of the heroism of the Latvian soldiers, but for me, it was a film about the gradual loss of illusions, and it was a treat.
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Films like Blizzard of Souls are only sporadically produced in today's Europe, and perhaps only the Poles and Russians consistently dedicate themselves to them. Firstly, they represent the most expensive and technically demanding type of production in a situation where audiences are spoiled by big-budget war films from American and Asian studios. Secondly, the current social climate does not favor them, as European cultural elites are cosmopolitan and advocate multiculturalism. They associate national pride with nationalism, and for them, patriotism is just another term for fascism. Projects like Blizzard of Souls usually relate to confirming national identity and statehood. In the case of the Baltics, it directly relates to the restoration of nations that, due to population size and historical development, are not at all a given. In terms of the small Latvian cinema, it is an exceptional achievement in every aspect. Young Arturs has accomplished a lot in five years. He meets three women, serves in three armies, fights for four different regimes, experiences three offensives, sustains four injuries, and his birthplace finds itself under four state entities. Yes, Europe was a very wild place to live in back then, and it was necessary to constantly be on guard. The battle scenes are filmed without pathos or heroization of the right side—the actions of the film's protagonists do not suffer from logical acrobatics. Simply put, it is a high-quality genre film. Overall impression: 90%.
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The horrific course and tragic consequences of the First World War are mirrored against the backdrop of the thrilling story of sixteen-year-old Arthurs fighting for a free Latvia. It should be noted that this is a very good film that is worth seeing. If for no other reason, it will broaden your horizons about the complex situation on the Eastern Front at that time. And women will surely appreciate the bit of romance that can be found here. (80%)
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Very nicely shot by Latvian standards, and the First World War setting is definitely welcome. However, the film suffers from it and turns out to be a bit boring. The characters didn't interest me much, it is necessary to clarify that the film is primarily a war drama, with very little action, and even there is some action, it is mostly uninteresting. It lacks brutality, intensity, and tension. The soldiers stand in place, shoot, reload, the end. I understand that the weapons in the First World War were different from those in the Second, but it could definitely have done more interestingly. Additionally, the Latvian army was very small, so it appears modest in every aspect. For me, it is not gritty and rough enough, it is too polished, and the civilian scenes are tedious. The protagonist goes through three partners, and I don't need to see that in a war movie. Those who prefer romance, emotions, and a drawn-out story over war carnage will be satisfied. Story***, Action**, Humor**, Violence*, Entertainment***, Music***, Visuals****, Atmosphere****, Tension**. 5/10.
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