World premiere
Anna LOL
A daringly explicit, raw, and honest portrait of a sexy woman embracing youthful curiosity and rebelliousness.
This provocative and timely film is bound to evoke strong reactions, whether it’s love or hate. Writer Marta Sofija bares her soul and body with awkward sincerity through two years of diaries. The shocking nocturnal wanderings blend harsh reality with authentic fiction, using footage shot on various handheld devices.
Heartbroken by her parents’ separation, 18-year-old shoplifter and skater Anna – portrayed in a vivid breakout performance by Enija Selecka – searches for a handsome soulmate while exploring the double standards of tolerance in Latvian society. She visits healers, fortune tellers, shamans, and dealers in her quest to separate love from fear. As Anna immerses herself in an Instagram-inspired nightlife of alcohol, drugs, and sex, her life rapidly spirals out of control. Illusions and hallucinations intertwine disturbingly with violent dreams and memories, all set to an intense soundtrack of rap and techno.
Edvinas Pukšta
Ivars Tontegode (1983) is a distinguished Latvian film director celebrated for his innovative and introspective approach to storytelling. After graduating from the Latvian Academy of Arts in 2007 and the Latvian Academy of Culture in 2009, he began crafting films that explore the complexities of human behaviour and identity. His first full-length film, “Senotaji” (2013), is a groundbreaking black comedy that explores the dynamics between men and women through the lens of magic mushrooms, offering a humorous yet profound look at self-discovery and human connection. Following this, “Knutifiction” (2017) delves into Latvia’s Soviet past, using the life of poet Knuts Skujenieks to symbolize resilience against oppression. Tontegode’s latest work, “Anna LOL” (2024), captures the struggles of the younger generation grappling with the remnants of history while aspiring for a brighter future. This film meditates on the shifting tides of oppression and freedom, reflecting Tontegode’s commitment to exploring the human condition amidst cultural change.
Senotaji (2013), Knutifiction (2017, doc), Anna LOL (2024)
Award for Best Baltic Film, grant of 5000€ from Piletilevi
