Jānis Āmanis

The epic story of one of the most iconic Latvian rock bands – Jumprava [Yumpravah]. The feature film tells the story about how the electronic rock group Jumprava was founded in 1984 and how it evolved throughout the years until 1991. With their songs and their unique style, Jumprava encouraged the “third awakening” in Latvia and inspired young people to dream big on this side of the Iron Curtain.

Geneva, Switzerland 1935. The first European Basketball Championship is about to take place. Basketball is still an unknown sport in Europe, and the national teams are meeting for the first time. Each wants the honour of being the first champion. Meanwhile in Latvia, coach Baumanis is convinced that he can assemble a team and take it to Geneva. He quickly learns however, that triumph and defeat are also part of the game. Coach Baumanis faces many difficulties, as well as unexpected help from those closest to him.

On his deathbed, the reigning king bestows power to an unexpected heir who must find strength within himself to unite his people against the violent crusades which threaten their freedom.

The film provides an insight into the performance cycle "Ladies' Paradise," which covers the period from 1900 to 2000 in moving images on screen and stage and tells the story of European fashion history. The performance materials are supplemented by interviews with costume designers and actors. Fifty theater and television actors and fifteen costume designers participated in the performances. The performance series was one of the events of the "Riga 2014" program.

In 1873, brave men known as the New Latvians held the first-ever Latvian song festival under the watchful eye of oppressive censorship. This massive celebration, featuring 1,003 singers – both men and women – changed the course of the nation’s history. It stands as a unique example of non-violent resistance in the fight for freedom against imperialism, led by Latvia’s entrepreneurs, writers, publicists and ordinary villagers.