Come to the Embassy of Latvia to watch a 38 min close-up documentary - narrative about a Latvian dissident Lidija Lasmane-Doroņina, and meet the filmmakers Andrejs and Henrieta Verhoustinskis. LIDIJA [prounounced as Lid-ee-ya] (Latvia, 2017) - in English.

Latvian National Film Award "Lielais Kristaps" for Best Short Documentary

Synopsis
The movie is about the well-known dissident Lidija Lasmane- Doroņina (born July 18, 1925). Actually, she does not even think of herself as a dissident. She received her three terms in prisons and labour camps - 14 years in total- as punishment not for underground struggle but for daring to remain true to her principles, convictions and faith. Lidija was a candidate for 2018 Nobel Peace Prize. She can really be an inspiration to everyone - despite her very cruel life story, she has never lost her positive attitude towards life and people, and her strong spirit.

Andrejs Verhoustinskis - Director and Cinematographer (b.1969) works both as a director and cinematographer. He studied at the Latvian Academy of Culture and the Dramatiska Institutet (Sweden). As a cinematographer he has worked on many documentaries and feature films with Latvian, Russian, English, Swedish, Norwegian, Israeli, Estonian and Lithuanian film groups. His best-known recent work is "Lidija" (2017, VFS Films), ""Džimlai Rūdi Rallallā!" (2014, film studio "Forma" ) and "Ručs and Norie" (2015, film studio "Nine"). Andrejs Verhoustinskis teaches cinematography at the Latvian Academy of Culture.

The documentary "Lidija" is his third directing work, the former was a full-length documentary "Īvāns" about the leader of the Latvian Popular Front, Dainis Īvāns. Andrejs Verhoustinskis also is a "Lielais Kristaps " holder 2015 in nominations - cinematographer/documentary ("Ručs and Norie") and the director and cinematographer/TV documentary ("Architect's passion. Zaiga Gaile") LTV - Latvian Television.

Henrieta Verhoustinska (b. 1973) - script writer, journalist, theater scientist, theater critic - is a well-known & highly appreciated journalist and scriptwriter, specializes in theatre & culture in general; a theater scientist and a theater critic. She is the scriptwriter of the film "Lidija". The film has also received the main prize in the annual contest "Kilogram of Culture" (organized by all Latvian public media).

Event is free of charge. RSVP required due to space limitations: rsvp.embassy.usa@mfa.gov.lv or get your free ticket on Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lidija-a-documentary-about-a-latvian-dissident-tickets-60974770179
Valid photo ID required for entry.

This program is part of the 7th annual European Month of Culture. Find more events at: EUintheUS.org/EUMoC