Latvian Avant-Garde Film “Lotus” Garners Record Nominations and International Acclaim
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A visually stunning and unconventional feature,”Lotus” is poised to make waves on the international stage following a record-breaking sixteen nominations for Latvia’s “Lielais Kristaps” National Film Award.
Signe Birkova’s “Lotus” has achieved unprecedented recognition in its home country of Latvia, securing a remarkable sixteen nominations for the “Lielais Kristaps” National Film Award – a likely new record in the award’s history. The film’s success extends beyond Latvia,with a world premiere at the Tallinn Film Festival Black Nights,the leading A-class film festival in Northern Europe,and a win for Best Co-Production Film at Lithuania’s silver Crane National Film Awards.
Currently screening at the 55th International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) as part of the “Focus: The Future is NOW” program, “Lotus” is gaining further momentum.The IFFR,running from January 30 to February 4,is renowned as a key platform for discovering bold,experimental,and author-driven cinema. “The participation of ‘Lotus’ is an important event, strengthening Latvia’s position on the map of the international film industry,” according to a statement from the film’s producers.
The widespread acclaim reflects the film’s unique artistic vision. A producer emphasized that the sheer number of nominations is “a high assessment of the professionalism of the entire team…and courage to create unusual cinema both in terms of story and visually.” He further noted that the film’s simultaneous success domestically and internationally demonstrates the appeal of auteur cinema with a distinct voice.
Adding to the praise, film critic and festival programmer Olafs Melers, who contributes to Film Comment magazine – a leading voice in cinematic thought since 1962 – described “Lotus” as unfolding “in a parallel universe…Signe Birkova skillfully varies with genre elements and moods, mixing horror, fantasy and melodrama.” Melers continued, stating the filmmaking is “visual magic – it’s 24 spells per second.”
opportunities to Experience “Lotus”
Latvian audiences will have multiple opportunities to view “Lotus” and meet director Signe Birkova. the film will be featured in the nominees program of the National Cinema Award “Lielais Kristaps” from February 4-8, with a detailed screening schedule available at lielaiskristaps.lv. Additionally, “Lotus” is currently available for streaming on LMT Smart TV and Tet TV+.
A Mystical Journey into Early Cinema
“Lotus,” which premiered in April 2025,is a non-ancient costume drama set in an imagined 1919 Latvia. The story follows Countess Väcbalti Alice von Trott as she returns to Latvia to claim her inheritance, only to become entangled in a mysterious and risky cult. Her quest for freedom leads her to discover the burgeoning art of cinema, ultimately pioneering the era of silent film. The narrative deliberately blurs the lines between reality and illusion,incorporating references to classic films and celebrating the director’s passion for early cinematic techniques.
The film boasts a stellar cast led by European film star Severija Janušauskaite, alongside a talented ensemble of Latvian actors including Rēzija Kalniņa, Baiba Broka, and Vilis Daudziņš, among others. The creative team includes cinematographer Mārtiņš Jurevics, production designer Mārtiņš Straupe, costume designer Jurate Silakaktiņa, and composers Paulis Kilbauskis and Justin Štars.
Produced by Dominiks Jarmakovics and Roberts Vinovskis at lokomotive studio in collaboration with Lithuania’s Studio Uljana Kim, “Lotus” received financial support from the National Film Center and Foundation eurimages.
For further information, contact Liene Vinovska at +371 26443883 or [email protected].
