Janvāris / January

Jazi wants to love, make films and live in the moment. He’s never been interested in politics, but now has no choice but to deal with the current situation in his homeland. In winter 1991, Latvia’s national independence has been restored, but is already once again in danger. Using his Super 8 camera, the film student documents how Soviet special service agents and military units are trying to overthrow the new independent government. Jazi films the clashes between demonstrators and the army, which are becoming increasingly violent. The camera becomes his weapon. But there’s also time for raucous parties, and he falls in love with fellow student Anne. Capturing images is their calling, yet they cannot imagine what the future will look like in these politically precarious times. The general uncertainty determines the visuality of the film itself, which is constantly changing styles: coarse-grained Super-8 shots alternate with precisely staged visual images – bringing the mood of the time back to life.