BRIGHT NIGHTS:
BALTIC-NORDIC FILM FESTIVAL

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Audrius Juzènas, 2018 | 135 minutes

Owl Mountain is sweeping a historical drama set in the turbulent immediate post-WWII period in Lithuania. Radio Free Europe, BBC, and Voice of America only rarely get through the Soviet imposed Iron Curtain in Lithuania, a country now torn by a war between the local resistance movement and the occupying Soviet regime. Anyone who dares to resist Soviet rule is terrorized, executed, or exiled to Siberia. Tedas is one of the local high-school students who witness the local armed resistance to the Soviet occupation and decides to join by taking up arms. Determined and daring, Tedas also collects documents and all kinds of evidence that prove crimes against Lithuania by the Kremlin, becoming a legend among his peers. But getting noticed may not be the most helpful thing for Tedas, as he will discover soon enough.

English sub-titles.

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Dorian Supin, 2016 | 89 minutes

This riveting documentary offers an intimate and sensitive portrait of the legendary, internationally renowned contemporary Estonian composer, Arvo Pärt, revealing the maestro’s philosophy of life and his creative process, as well as presenting his playful, humorous side in ordinary life in scenes with his family and friends. The title of the film, “Even if I lose everything…” is derived from a line Pärt wrote in his diary (which he calls his ‘workbooks’), in which he speaks eloquently about the sustaining, nourishing, transcendent presence of music. In the course of decades, along with his work on musical texts, he has filled those workbooks with his contemplations, his moments of grief and joy, his discoveries, and with everything that can be interpreted as revelations of the inner life of an artist. An absolute must-see for Pärt afficianados in particular, and for music lovers in general. Astonishing.

English sub-titles.

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Dir. Jens Assur, 2017 | 107 minutes

Set in the 1970s, Ravens is the tangled tale of Agne, a salt-of-the-earth dedicated and diligent farmer who fights tooth and nail to save his farm from the owner’s profit-driven aspirations and the overall societal trends toward “modernization.” As this farm was run by the same family for over a century, passing from generation to generation, Agne is certain that his eldest son, Klas, will take over and carry on the family tradition. When he gets to know Klas’s real intentions, Agne’s world will be turned upside down, and he will deal with this ‘crisis’ in unsettling ways, both for him and his son. This stylish, visually arresting first feature film by photographer Jens Assur is an intense psychological drama about the complexities of family obligations, strained loyalties, and the inevitability of change.

English sub-titles. Mature content.

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Dir. Birgitte Staermose, 2017 | 103 minutes

Darling is the moving love story of a dancer on the rollercoaster ride of her life, a drama about the rise and fall of a courageous woman facing life-altering circumstances. A world-famous Danish ballerina, Darling and her husband Frans return to the Royal Danish Ballet in Copenhagen to perform the classic ballet "Giselle," where she will dance the title role with Frans as choreographer. During a rehearsal, however, Darling collapses, and the prognosis is dire: her hip is irreparably damaged. Her professional life in ruins, she decides to train a young ballerina named Polly to make her into the Giselle she can no longer be. But as Polly becomes the centre of attention, especially of Frans' attention, Darling must face the greatest trial of her life, both professional and personal.

English sub-titles. Mature content.

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Dir. Selma Vilhunen, 2018 | 90 minutes

Over the past ten years hobbyhorse riding has become a global phenomenon and a way of life for thousands of young people. Hobbyhorse Revolution is a funny, moving film about the power of imagination and the strength of community. The film follows three young girls, Aisku, Elsa and Alisa whose lives have been transformed by their new interest: hobbyhorses. Despite a lack of understanding by some, the girls bravely and spiritedly pursue their hobby. Playing with hobbyhorses is a traditional children’s activity, but today’s Finnish teenagers have created a versatile hobbyhorse subculture around it, raising the scene to a whole new level. Talented director Selma Vilhunen (whose Little Wing screened at our 2017 EU Film Festival) delivers an absorbing look at a passionate new form of empowerment and solidarity for young women in Finland and, as you’ll see, beyond!

English sub-titles.

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Dir. Erik Poppe, 2016 | 133 minutes

The King’s Choice is based on the true the story about three dramatic days in April 1940, where the King of Norway is presented with an unimaginable ultimatum from the German armed forces: surrender or die. With Nazi soldiers hunting after them, the Royal Family is forced to flee the capital. In the best interest of the family, the Crown Princess Märtha leaves Norway with the children to seek refuge in Sweden, whilst King Haakon and the Crown Prince Olav flee to a small farming area just outside Elverum and meet the Germans head on. After three days of desperately trying to evade the Germans, King Haakon must make a final, fateful decision. This film was Norway’s contender for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2017.

English sub-titles.

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Dir. Kristine Zelve, 2018 | 82 minutes

When the Germans retreated from Latvia in 1944, they took with them 700 boxes of art works and ancient manuscripts from the nation’s museums. They also took with them Merija Grinberga, who volunteered to keep her eye on the treasures until they could be returned home. This would end up costing her one tension-filled confrontation after another: first with the Nazis, then with Soviet occupation forces in Riga. After successfully shepherding the materials back to Latvia, her reward was to be fired from her museum job. But it has been thanks to Grinberga that many of Latvia’s museums aren’t empty today. Kristine Zelve’s remarkable documentary about a remarkable woman includes a first hearing of diaries Grinberga kept while fending off the bureaucracies of two occupying powers. Unforgettable.

English sub-titles.

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Dir. Benedikt Erlingsson, 2018 | 100 mins

Halla has just learned she's been approved to adopt a child from a war-torn area in Ukraine, a long-time dream of hers. Trouble is, she's an eco-terrorist, deeply engaged in opposing the proliferation of heavy industry, urged on by unscrupulous politicians, that has been ruining Iceland's rugged landscape. Halla soon becomes a target of the aluminium industry, but is determined to see things through. In the heat of the struggle, though, Halla can't help wondering: is it better to save hypothetical lives in a safer future or the life of the daughter she has yet to meet? Erlingsson's second feature (after his acclaimed debut feature, Of Horses and Men) examines the dilemmas and complexities inherent in political protest, and weaves in astute political satire along into this absorbing tale of a fascinating woman.

English sub-titles.

Kick off another Baltic-Nordic Film Festival with the Bright Nights Launch Party!

This year we're in the beautiful OAG, in the Alma Duncan Salon, with DJ Jas Nasty keeping us pumped up all night long! But if dancing ain't yo thang, come on over to the Craft Corner to make some traditional Nordic crafts. Or stuff your face with Suzy Q Doughnuts. Sample some Nordic beers from Collective Arts. Bid on items from places like Spa Nordik in the Silent Auction. Watch the premiere of the Festival trailer. Relive your childhood at our LEGO building competition. Look outside at all the snow and be glad you're inside at this hot party!

Tickets in advance online: $12

At the door: $15