Elita Klavina Movies
- 2008
The true story of Latvia's struggle for independence sets the stage for this epic-scale historical drama. Martins (Janis Reinis) is a Latvian patriot who joins the Army during World War I to help defeat Germany and help his homeland become a free state after hundreds of years of occupation. Martins's decision means he must postpone his wedding to beautiful Elza (Elita Klavina), though she pledges to wait for him. In 1918, the great war finally draws to a close, but while Latvia is finally free, Martins and a handful of other former soldiers learn that Russian and German forces are intent upon reclaiming the nation as their own. Determined that no one will take away their freedom, Martins organizes a band of homegrown guerillas to fight off the invaders. Rigas Sargi (aka Defenders of Riga) was the most costly Latvian film to date at the time of its release, and the sets constructed for the production were kept standing after shooting was completed and opened to the public as a historical exhibit. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Janis Reinis, Elita Klavina, (more)
- 2006
A callous man is wounded in one of the few places he cares about -- his wallet -- in this drama from Latvia. Alfs (Juris Zagars) is a middle-aged man who lives in the woods with his fourteen-year-old daughter Ria (Kristine Kruze) and his girlfriend (Maija Doveika). Ria and Alfs's lover help look after his elderly mother (Elita Klavina), who stays in the attic and has been in poor health. Alfs earns a modest living by charging hunting parties to come to his property for the weekend so they can track and kill the deer which are plentiful in the forest. However, Ria has grown weary of her father's cavalier attitude towards her and her grandmother as well as his abuse of the land, and she becomes an animal rights activist, determined to drive the hunters off her father's grounds. Tumsie Briezi (aka Dark Deer) was written and directed by Viesturs Kairiss, who adapted his own acclaimed stage drama for the screen. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kristine Kruze, Elita Klavina, (more)
- 2002
Director and co-screenwriter Viesturs Kairiss' Latvian drama Leaving By the Way examines what happens to the lives of a wife and son after a man disappears. Ilga Ziedlapa (Elita Klavina) has begun an affair with Viktors (Eriks Vilsons) after learning that her husband has probably died at sea. Partly because of her grief, Ilga has not yet informed her nine-year-old son Dauka (Davis Bergs) of his father's likely demise. As the boy's addled emotional state leads to more and more erratic behavior, Ilga must also contend with the mind games of Viktors' ex-wife Ruta (Guna Zarina) who is not happy with his new relationship. A comic subplot involves Ilka's brother and an unfortunate run-in with a choir. Leaving By the Way was an entry in the Latvian National Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Davis Bergs, Elita Klavina, (more)
