Introduction

Blizzard of Souls (Latvian: Dvēseļu putenis) or The Rifleman (UK title) is a 2019 Latvian historical drama directed by Dzintars Dreibergs.

It premiered on 08 November 2019 in Latvia and on 20 February 2020 internationally at the European Film Market. The film is an adaptation of Aleksandrs Grīns’ novel of the same name written about his service as a Latvian Rifleman in World War I. It was selected as the Latvian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.

Outline

After witnessing his mother being shot by the invading Imperial German Army, sixteen-year-old Artūrs, together with his father, decides to enlist in the national Latvian Riflemen battalions of the Imperial Russian Army in the hope of getting revenge and finding glory.

Artūrs goes on to fight in World War I on the Eastern Front, where he loses his father and brother and quickly becomes disillusioned.

He joins Bolsheviks, but when ordered to execute his friend he realises Bolshevik disregard for them and deserts, returning to his newly-proclaimed country to fight in the Latvian War of Independence and start everything from scratch.

Cast

• Oto Brantevics as Artūrs Vanags
• Raimonds Celms as Edgars Vanags
• Mārtiņš Vilsons as Vanags
• Jēkabs Reinis as Miķelsons
• Gatis Gāga as Konrāds
• Renārs Zeltiņš as Spilva
• Vilis Daudziņš as Sala
• Grēta Trušiņa as Marta
• Ieva Florence as Mirdza
• Rēzija Kalniņa as Mother

Production

Oto Brantevics, the actor for the lead role of Artūrs, was selected out of 1,300 candidates, despite Brantevics having no prior acting experience. Former Minister of Defence Raimonds Bergmanis made a cameo appearance in the film, while the then Minister of Defence Artis Pabriks appeared as an extra. Several of the battle scenes were shot at the locations where the historical battles had taken place. Valdis Celmiņš drew inspiration for his cinematography from Christian Berger’s concept of avoiding wide establishing shots by using a wide lens for medium shots and closeups, as well as László Nemes’ film Son of Saul (2015).

Release

Box Office

During the first five weeks of screening the film was seen by more than 200,000 people, making it the most-watched film since the restoration of Latvian independence.

Trivia

• Official submission of Latvia for the ‘Best International Feature Film’ category of the 93rd Academy Awards in 2021.
• Several of the battle scenes were shot at the locations where the historical battles had taken place.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s):
  • Dzintars Dreibergs
• Producer(s):
  • Dzintars Dreibergs … producer
  • Inga Pranevska … executive producer / producer
• Writer(s):
  • Boris Frumin … (as Boriss Frumins)
  • Aleksandrs Grins … (novel)
• Music:
  • Lolita Ritmanis
• Cinematography:
  • Valdis Celmins
• Editor(s):
  • Gatis Belogrudovs
• Production:
  • Kultfilma
  • Mnibus Entertainment
• Distributor(s):
  • Access-A (Japan, 2020)(theatrical)
  • Film Movement (Canada, 2021)(virtual cinema, theatrical)
  • Film Movement (United States, 2021)(virtual cinema, theatrical)
  • Blue Swan Entertainment (Italy, 2021)
  • Great Movies Distribution (Brazil, 2021)
  • Great Movies Distribution (Brazil, 2021)(SVOD, video)
  • Great Movies Distribution (Mexico, 2021)
  • Great Movies Distribution (Mexico, 2021)(SVOD, video)
  • Home Box Office (HBO) (United States, 2021)(TV)
  • Pandastorm Pictures (Germany, 2020)(Blu-ray)
  • Pandastorm Pictures (Germany, 2020)(DVD)
• Release Date: 08 November 2019 (Latvia).
• Running time: 104 minutes.
• Rating: 15.
• Country: Latvia.
• Language: Latvian, Russian, German, and Estonian.

Video Link(s)