Ovations and dances premiered by director Paul Dombrovskis Documentary More than Dance / Day
Opening the premiere, film director Paul Dombrovskis shared his feelings about the film passing to the audience in Latvia: « I have lived in different parts of the world, but Latvia has always been and stayed at home. The movie premiered in Latvia was a special and alarming moment – both local Latvians and international audiences. Daugavinas The path to the Song and Dance Celebration is much more than preparing for the concert – it is a certification of belonging, heritage and identity. I hope this movie will make everyone think about what home and the relationship with Latvia. ”
The film tells about the Toronto Latvian folk dance group Daugaviņa The way to the Song and Dance Celebration of 2023 in Riga. Its center is Selga Apse, the long -time leader of the dance group, who, with its professional activities and fervor, continues to maintain live Latvian language and traditions in the Multicultural environment in Toronto. The film is enriched by unprecedented private archives from the 1960s, which authentically allows you to look at Canada's Latvian efforts to preserve their identity in « foreign ». It encourages you to look for answers – where my home is, and who associates people so much with Latvia and Latvians.
“The excitement is the first emotion I felt when thinking about the film's premiere in Latvia! I am delighted that Latvian viewers will have the opportunity to look at the Latvians born and living in the diaspora and live their Latvianness as an important part of our lives. I hope that the film in Latvia will be made with joy – those who have already seen it say it is like a sunshine. I think it will be a touching experience for viewers – to see how we are preparing, how much Latvia and dance mean to us. I want viewers to feel how zealous Latvians in the diaspora retain their Latvianness, despite living in another country, culture and language. Participation in the Song and Dance Festival in Riga has something special – emotional, powerful, unforgettable. It inspires and fills the heart, ”says Selga Apse.
The film has already premiered at the Toronto, Oslo and Baltic Film Festival in London. From March 14, it will also be on view in Riga cinemas: Forum Cinemas, Splendid Palace, Apollo Cinema Plaza, Cinamon Riga Acropolis Alpha, Cinema Bize, Ksuns, as well as elsewhere in Latvia – Talsi cinema Auseklis, Cinema Cesis In Cesis, Cinema gor In Rezekne, in the cinema Vidzeme Madona and Kuldiga Culture Center. Tickets can be purchased at each cinema box office or on the website.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG2uxHV9XJM
“A documentary More like a dance reflects the spirit of the Latvian diaspora and their unwavering determination to preserve their traditions. It shows the cultural link between Canada and Latvia and confirms the close relations between the people of both countries, ”emphasizes Brian Svorks, Ambassador of Canada to Latvia.
March 17 in the cinema Forum Cinemas films More like a dance The screen will be complemented by a special event – meeting with film historian Kristin Matisse, film director Paul Dombrovski and Toronto TDA Daugaviņa Driver Selga Apsi. Other creative sessions in different cities of Latvia are planned: March 15 at 9 p.m. 17.45 in Valmiera cinema 3dcinema, March 18 at 14.00 Special senior session in Liepaja cinema Cinamon Liepaja Ball.
