Alise Zariņa has reshaped contemporary Latvian cinema with her debut Nearby (2019), renowned for its modern feel and naturalistic dialogue. Her second feature Flesh, Blood, Even a Heart, developed through TorinoFilmLab Extended, premiered in Black Nights festival and was praised by critics. Zariņa co-created the TV series The Assistant (2024), an exploration of social issues in Latvia. Her short II Lines (2019) was awarded several national prizes and screened internationally, but Nearby brought her the title of best screenwriter of the year in Latvia. Her outspoken positions and activism have been recognised with the Latvian PEN Award.
PROJECT
Not My War
Latvian TV writer Lote (34) has a clear plan: save money, buy the perfect apartment, and start a family with her loving husband, Kristaps. As one last adventure before her new life begins, she walks the Camino de Santiago with her best friend, Lauma (35), who is struggling to find direction in life. The two women form an unlikely connection with Misha (22), a young student of Ukrainian descent, and the three of them are together when they are terrified to learn that Russia has invaded Ukraine. Lauma is devastated, fearing that the war will reach Latvia, and wants to return home, while Lote insists they should continue because the war cannot be allowed to disrupt their plans. Back in Latvia Kristaps becomes increasingly involved in helping Ukraine’s military, while Lauma throws herself into volunteer work. Lote, meanwhile, doubles down on her plans for a child, a flat, and a perfect future, ignoring the change around her and inside her relationship. She retreats into work, apartment hunting, and the fantasy that if she can just keep everything in order, nothing truly terrible can happen. When she learns that Misha, the young Ukrainian man they met on the Camino, has been killed in the war, and discovers that she cannot get pregnant, that illusion finally breaks.
