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JANUARY
2 JANUARY 1991, RIGA
OMON SPECIAL UNITS OF THE USSR MINISTRY
OF THE INTERIOR OCCUPY THE PRESS HOUSE
TO STOP THE PUBLISHING OF THE PAPERS
SUPPORTING LATVIAN INDEPENDENCE.
THE TENSION BETWEEN THE USSR
AND THE NEWLY PROCLAIMED BALTIC STATES CLIMAXES.
Prove it that God exists. You can't?
I can, but listen carefully. Okay. I'll hear you out.
However, I can only indicate the signs I believe in.
For instance, that love does exist in this world.
A special kind of love? No. Love has many forms.
It can be noble and foul.
Awkward and majestic. It's multiform.
What about the desire for love? Desire for love?
And at the same time denial, torment and faith.
Does love exist?
I'm not sure if love proves the existence of God.
Maybe love is God.
Jazis!
OMON special units are attacking the Press House. Let's go!
- Right now? - No! Tomorrow!
Get moving. Grab your camera.
I need that VHS... Forget that bloody videotape!
Hey, you didn't finish your job! This is an emergency! We need to film it.
- Do you want me to air that? - Piss off.
Jazis! What was that?
Jazis, you're fired!
Jazis!
Hey, you! Put it away.
Put it away, I said!
Put that camera away, asshole! Put that camera away!
We will restore order.
Not a Gestapo type of order, but the necessary order of things.
Even if something will happen, we won't harm you. Don't worry.
Together with the journalists, we peacefully settled everything.
Nobody is shooting or killing anyone.
- Hello. - Hi there.
However, there is no need to involve armed forces.
What happened?
OMON bastards.
- You were at the Press House? - Yeah. We were filming.
Does it hurt?
Were you there? I just heard on the radio.
Look what your communists have done to our son!
- Did you have my camera? - Yeah.
Shame on you for still being a party member.
- The party has nothing to do with it. - Yeah, right.
I don't support OMON special units!
Your communists brought them here.
Bye.
Another conscription notice for you.
If you don't go to university, you'll be conscripted into the Soviet Army.
What if another war breaks out? Another Afghanistan or something?
It's not your problem.
You are my son and it is my problem.
What about that cinema thing?
They've just opened a new Film Academy.
Academy of Culture.
- Why don't you go and have a look? - Relax. It's pointless. A silly dream.
To you, everything is pointless.
What if I go? I'm not gonna become Latvian Bergman, am I?
- It's all up to you. - Stop it.
- So you won't do anything? - I will! I'll do the military service.
No use talking to you.
I don't want you to go get killed in a country
whose name I can't even pronounce.
What's up with you? Finished your job early?
Do you realize it's stupid to stay in the party?
I do what I can. Okay?
You hoped it'll help you to enter the Film School in Moscow...
And then you didn't go!
So what's the point of being a communist?
I didn't go to Moscow because you were born.
Come on, let's go!
You.
Me?
You!
A whale...
cast on the seashore.
What?
A whale cast on the seashore.
Go on.
Enough.
Okay, enough.
Iveta, dear! We'll show you how you do an animal improvisation.
A kitty drinking milk from a cup.
Okay?
You dream of interpreting Hamlet or Joseph...
Yet you can't even play a kitty. Stupid pervert.
True.
Art is not for everyone.
Hi there!
Hi.
Why did you even do the whale?
This should be a film school, but instead,
they make us do these senile theatre tricks.
And yet, you went with it.
What does it say about you?
Werner Herzog once hypnotized a chicken. What does it say about him?
Come with us.
Fuck that kitty.
You wish.
I'd love to see her Hamlet.
I liked your whale.
Anna!
My dad also has a Volga. A newer version.
Oh really?
I have guests.
Okay, I'll be there.
Hello.
My dear daughter!
- I didn't know you were having guests. - Join us.
- This is my mum. - Zeps.
Lora.
- My stepdad. - Jazis.
Good evening.
- I have to go to work. - What a pity! The party just started.
- Have a nice evening. - Bye, honey.
- Please, feel at home. - Thanks.
- Would you like to eat something? -I'm starving.
- Hi! - Hi!
Hi! Bon appétit!
- Do you want some bubbly? - Yes.
Come here.
I want to make a movie.
I don't want anything else. I'll either be filming or dead.
Zeps and I...
We just filmed OMON attacking the Press House.
Seriously?
- Did you get anything? - A little.
Basically... I'm filming the Press House.
I hear a car coming. I turn around: a police vehicle.
Three guys with machine guns step out.
I continue filming and move towards them.
One of them hits me in the face.
Nose bleeds. The other one swears and puts a gun to my head.
I want to see that.
I also have this place...
Where?
Empty seashore...
A real Tarkovsky, only in Latvia.
You don't want to tell me?
I'm about to start filming.
Oh, lovely...
Zeps is a son of a bitch. He just is.
It's not exactly his fault. Lora can be very persistent.
And your stepdad has nothing against it?
He is a super bastard.
My mum likes that sort of guys.
And where is your dad?
Drank himself to death.
What can I say...
Both my parents drink. I've never seen my grandma sober.
Music from "Stranger than Paradise"? Where did you get that?
Stepdad arranged it. This is from my favourite episode.
"A woman can take you to another universe."
I don't understand.
"But sometimes... she just leaves."
Yes...
You have a funny name.
It happened like this.
The country priest...
baptized me Jazeps.
But my dad didn't like it.
So everyone calls me Jazis. Jazeps...
Like Joseph from the Bible.
You were baptized?
Well, my grandma and my mum wanted it.
But they kept it a secret from my dad.
He is a communist.
My stepdad is not a communist.
But he is a big shot in the KGB.
He supports the independence movement.
There are a lot of supporters in the KGB.
Want to go swimming?
You mean in the pool?
In the sea.
Ciao, bambino.
I was afraid you'd have closed for today.
- People are coming all the time. - Anything new?
Not for you. Only thrillers at the moment.
I'll take Jarmusch's "Stranger than Paradise".
"Paradise"? Again?
Give me "Paradise"! I can copy it for you.
- Dubbed? - Of course.
Just give it to me.
Alright, Jazis... Where is the Bergman?
I'll bring it tomorrow. You have to pay for an extra day.
Patriks, come on! Nobody is renting it anyway.
It's a principle.
Bring me the Bergman, I'll give you the Jarmusch.
- Give me my cig. - Fuck off.
Be quiet, okay?
Good evening, Latvia!
I didn't buy a condom.
You can pull it out.
- Really? - That's if you can get it up...
That's it?
I pulled it out on time.
- Are you sure? - Yes.
Ok, it's here.
It's just Western propaganda. Serving in the Soviet Army is a good thing.
- It'll make him a real man. - Like yourself.
There!
The highlight of your communist career: selling coffee grinders.
They'll give you a medal for that.
Can you both get over that coffee grinder trauma?
Get dressed. We're going to see doctor Osvalds.
And your dad will drive us there.
Try to look as miserable as possible. I can do that!
I really like looking at the sea.
I always try to see the other end.
Stretch your hands.
Close your eyes.
And now touch your nose with your index fingers.
With both?
Yes. Start with the right one. Then the left.
How's your dad?
He's okay.
Is he still with the communists?
Let's regard this as our resistance movement.
Let's take you off the hook.
You have depression.
So, Osvalds...
I had a call from the Baltic Military District.
Turns out, all our lads are unfit for duty.
What's wrong with this one?
Osvalds, answer me!
This young man is...
...completely fit.
Sorry.
Jazis!
- Good afternoon. - Hello.
Don't you start, okay?
No, no, Anna... No.
- Hello. - Hello.
Biruta, Anna. Anna, Biruta.
Anna, come here.
- So you are Anna. - Yes.
- Glad to meet you. - So am I.
- What a lovely coat. What is it? - I took it from my mum.
- No, no, I meant, what animal? - Oh. I think it's an otter.
You tie my hands when I cross the street dancing
Your stare tears down my temples
It's not just the time that puts up the fence
You're telling me what banner I should carry
Your slogans explode in my head
It's not just the time that puts up the fence
How are you doing?
We have a country aunt called Anna.
Take this.
This is a great exercise for your hips.
You see?
It would end in a desert.
Or in a quarry.
And then - death comes in a gas mask.
- I have seen death. No gas masks. - You've seen death?
Yes. On my granny's farm.
When slaughtering a pig.
That gas mask is a cliché.
- Of course, you agree with him. - You're sleeping with him.
If you have to know. We haven't even kissed.
And what are you waiting for?
Go on!
Come on. You know what? I'm starving.
What's going on here? I'll call the cops!
- Hello, mum. - Good afternoon.
Hello there! Hello there!
Good afternoon. Good afternoon, good afternoon!
Hello, grandma!
Dear grandson! I didn't even recognize you! Such a big boy!
We're in the dark. Everyone has to look for what's theirs.
There are a lot of us.
I feel the whole world is hoping for it. Even you.
Podnieks is the real deal.
I'd love to shoot movies like that.
Listen! We can meet him in person.
And how would that be possible?
Let's call him and ask for his opinion on our work.
Anna feels something is missing and she just calls Juris Podnieks.
Here it is!
No, thanks.
I was the one calling you.
Let's have a smoke.
What does that blue colour mean to you?
Is it hope?
Freedom?
Blue jeans.
Jeans?
Of course.
Blue jeans also give you hope.
Going for this kind of material
you have to get as close to the event as possible.
Otherwise, you're just looking from a distance.
We have to get the viewer so close that they wouldn't remain indifferent.
What else do you have?
Put the other one on.
How long we'll be watching this scenery?
Something has to happen.
Someone has to appear.
Nothing is missing. It's all there.
Is it?
In your head maybe.
You need to transfer it to the screen.
Thanks.
Next.
Put mine on.
Juris really liked my music video.
He's looking for an assistant.
And he offered me the job.
You're going to work with him?
Yes. In his film studio.
Congratulations.
To Anna!
Anna, don't forget us, the mortal ones. We're still human beings.
Have mercy on us! I'll be just an assistant.
Fassbinder also began as an assistant.
- And died from an overdose. - I'll try not to repeat that.
When I'm a world-famous cult film director.
Whale! What happened?
I got tired.
Don't be foolish. What is it?
I'm thinking why...
Why did he choose you?
I'm sorry he didn't choose you. I'm sorry something good happened to me.
- You know it's my dream. - Like your stupid music videos?
Jazis!
Eat something.
The soup is on the stove. It's still warm.
You're not going. Yes, I am.
I'M NOT GIVING MY SON TO THE SOVIET ARMY
We don't know how it's going to end.
- Why would you go to that rally? - Stop nagging me.
You have your demonstration, I have mine.
There are tanks outside Vilnius. And you're still with the Interfront.
Jazis?
This family keeps surprising me.
He didn't even go out yesterday?
Neither the day before.
- What did he say to you? - Nothing. He's not talking to me.
- Okay, bye. - Bye.
Anna!
- Hi! - Good afternoon. Is Anna home?
She went to Vilnius this morning. With that famous film director.
To Vilnius?
Yes, they're screening his movie there.
In absolute minor, trains and busses run
In absolute minor, depressive leaves fall in the wind
In absolute minor, I dance for money
In absolute minor, I dance...
White sheets shine in the dark, my eyes are cold
My hands are cold, my lips are cold, I am cold
Please don't go away, don't go away, don't go
Don't go away, don't go away, don't go
What are you doing here?
I just wanted to say sorry. I know I behaved like an idiot.
Yes.
- Anna? - Yes, I'm coming.
We'll wait for you in the car.
- They're waiting for you? - Yes, I'm working.
- We're going to Juris' film screening. - With all the cameras?
- Why did you come here? - I told you: to apologize.
You just wanted to make sure I wasn't shagging Juris.
What? What are you on about?
You shouldn't have come here.
I'm here because it's important to me.
You just turn up like a paranoid lover.
- I just... - You know what?
You're making a fool of me and yourself.
- Anna. - Yes!
Just go home!
Fascists! Fascists!
Shame on you!
Lithuania! Lithuania!
Thirteen people have died.
This is Podnieks' footage.
By the way, hello! Where have you been?
...appeal to the citizens of the USSR saying:
"The events in Lithuania are a tragedy for all the Soviet peoples."
First victims in Lithuania: thirteen people have died.
There are 144 wounded, including 100 heavily wounded.
Since Monday, 14 January, a general strike has been declared in Lithuania.
Mum, come on. I'm alive.
Anna has died.
What?
Our aunt.
We'll never get out of Riga.
- The Interfront doesn't like it, does it? - What?
I'm thinking about your aunt's funeral.
I don't want to be late.
Wipe clean my wrongdoings
Oh Lord, have mercy on us
Mercy on us, sinners
Glory be to the Father and the Son
And to the Holy Spirit
Oh Lord, have mercy on us
Mercy on us, sinners
The night before you were born, I had an unusual dream.
The next morning, your father called me.
"Biruta gave birth to a baby boy."
I had forgotten about that.
I knew that he would be special. You know what?
Jazeps wants to shoot movies.
He's hauling around Dad's old camera all the time.
- Stop it. - What?
He even met up with Podnieks.
Jazeps, maybe you even have a girl there in Riga?
- No, I don't. - Come on. Tell them.
- Her name is Anna. - Anna? Like your aunt.
Oh Lord, have mercy on us
Granny?
What did you see?
Where?
In that dream.
Go to sleep, sonny.
It's a hard day tomorrow.
Lord, I call upon thee
Thou hear me out and save me
Good Lord Jesus, grant her
Grant her, who has passed away
We truly believe that our future army is rock-solid.
The law enforcement forces won't yield to these democratic appeals.
Instead, they will remain faithful to their duty
and true interests of the USSR Baltic republics.
Alright, let's see what we have here.
This is a small miracle.
A young man with no mental issues.
Came to the recruiting station willingly...
I'm glad you came.
You're a son of a bitch ignoring your friends.
Where's Anna?
That was quick.
Fuck it. That's right, fuck it.
Fuck her and her mum!
Bad news. I got conscripted. In the Russian army?
We have our army on the barricades. What's the point?
Let's go? With the crowd?
Idiot.
Give us a cig.
If you ditched her, we're buying the bubbly. If she ditched you - a cognac.
Look what we have. Green Tarkhuna liquor.
Fuck me! You see?
Good old Tarkhuna... Tarkhuna my friend.
Ciao bambino, sorry! In the centre!
And let's go!
Disgusting! Let's wash it down.
Give me some!
Three things make a set!
Fucking Russians.
You think, that's it? They're gonna send us to Siberia again.
Gorby is such a democrat...
They won't let go of the Baltics.
- They won't be sending in tanks. - Who knows?
Let's hope the vodka price doesn't go up.
A hoof here, a hoof there...
Wait! What's that Czech director's name?
Věra Chytilová. That's right. It's a film about us.
- But we're not going to die. - How did it end?
In the centre!
Our guys are falling, but this one joins the enemy's army.
He's crazy! Wants to be an OMON guy.
An OMON onanist...
He doesn't look like a soldier at all.
- Have you got a razor? - In the bathroom.
They'll shave your head in the army anyway.
I'm not doing it here.
Don't chicken out. You'll have your first army experience.
Hey, wait! I've got a camera! Let's film it.
Let's go!
Like in the Kubrick movie about the metal jacket.
- Yes! - Let's go to my room.
Snuggle up to me tight if you want to be free
Freedom is slavery even if it can't be
Help me find freedom in my captivity
Help me colour this world without knowing the colours
Listen to my advice, don't say a thing
Look at me closely with your eyes closed
There is still hope without hope
To see a bright day in the dark of the night
Where's Patriks?
We are so young.
- What's wrong with her? - She always cries.
- Where's Patriks? - Went out to his kiosk.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
For the barricades?
Yes, I'm bringing some food to those men.
- Aren't you afraid? - No. I've waited 50 years for it.
My grandson is your age. I'd rather die than let him serve in the Russian army.
There were two police cars, yellow with blue stripes.
Some eight or nine men jumped out.
In black berets and camouflage vests.
They started shooting in the air.
One or two drivers were brutally pulled out of the trucks and beaten.
Sorry.
Tell Patriks I took his camera.
USSR. UNION TREATY
Here you go. Pancakes. Have some. Thank you.
Here you go. It's good that we're in this together.
Hey, put that camera away. We need to fill up this street.
Back up as much as you can. I'll help you.
Out of the way.
Come here!
Go along the side here.
- Not like this, hey! - We need a herringbone pattern.
Away from there! Away from there! Hey!
Stop!
We used a herringbone pattern in Kabul.
I've seen it a few times.
I'm just gonna stand here.
Take those. Help me carry them upstairs.
Don't dig them up here, at the Supreme Soviet building.
He's with me.
Armed forces are against us.
They're going to obey the commands.
We need to ensure the work of the Supreme Soviet as long as we can.
Therefore we've formed the Defence Committee.
This is good. Put it there.
- Godspeed! - Good afternoon.
Hello.
Good luck! It's nice and warm here...
- What is Rat doing here? - He is my specialist.
- In the Defence Committee meeting? - Yes.
What are we waiting for?
- You're Anna's stepdad? How is she? - I don't know. She doesn't report to me.
Why are you still here?
We want to live in an independent Latvia Red Army, go home!
Freedom for the Baltics
They were unable to start constructive negotiations.
The speakers with their ultimatums
to the government and the parliament were
the Communist Party secretary Mr Potreki and
Mr Kuzmin of the Baltic Military District.
As Mr Gorbunovs said, all the viewpoints have been heard...
Let's go.
Hey, filmmaker!
Need a place to sleep?
What's wrong with you?
Oh, fuck!
Alright.
- Hi! - Hi.
Are you filming?
Just taking some notes.
No more Tarkovsky.
I hope it's not because of me.
No.
I realized those were just silly dreams.
Pretending to be someone I'm not.
Really? It was all fake?
Even us?
Yeah.
It's a pity you feel that way.
I even miss you.
Alright...
I have to go.
I was kicked out of the bedroom.
I'm not sharing my bed with an enemy.
No, thanks.
Excellent!
I don't get it.
What?
How can you still be a communist after what happened in Vilnius?
After what's happening here?
How can you still be supporting them?
I don't support that.
Then finish with the party!
I can't.
Why?
I can't let your mother be right!
Tea?
The bus door is left open...
Come home.
Mum, I've had enough of you both.
I live in Latvia, I've got a family here. I come from Belarus. I'm with you.
How are things in your homeland?
There's nothing like this in Belarus.
- Thank you. - You're welcome.
So, are you joining us?
The barricades have completed their task.
They should be gradually dismantled.
Everyone - go home!
What does it mean: go home?
What were we doing here? They should have been on our side!
If that's what they want...
I don't get it. Why did we come here?
- Wait, are you leaving? - Yes, it's over.
It's not finished. Are you kidding?
Go and get your things.
- Are you okay? - No, I'm not.
We're not leaving!
We're staying here.
We're not leaving.
We all need to go home.
I'm never gonna find out who I am...
They're attacking the Ministry of the Interior!
Leave Latvia! Fuck off!
Help! There's a wounded.
Give me your hand.
An ambulance!
There's an ambulance!
I'm coming with you.
FOR ALL THE FILMMAKERS WHO HAVE DIED DOCUMENTING OUR HISTORY