The series Soviet Jeans (Padomju džinsi), directed by Staņislavs Tokalovs and Juris Kursietis, will premiere on February 26 and will begin its journey to viewers in early March. The series is already gaining recognition both in Latvia - 12 nominations for the national film award Lielais Kristaps, and abroad - the series has been selected for the Berlin International Film Festival* program Berlinale Series Market Selects 2024, which offers an exclusive preview of series from around the world.
In total, 15 series from around the world have been selected for previews, ranging from historical biopics and stories about political activists to comedies, mysteries and explosive thrillers, for which the jury commission foresees significant market potential in the film industry. Says a member of the festival jury: “Our selection team fell in love with this wonderful series. We were captivated by its unique style, concentrated story, beautiful direction and acting. We are confident that the series will have a great future and see high market potential for it.”
“The news about the selection for the Berlin Festival and the 12 nominations for the Great Kristaps is a great joy for our team and, I am sure, also for our supporters. The biggest thanks to the general sponsor - the DEPO chain of stores. Soviet Jeans was created with the invaluable support of DEPO and our efforts, and we will all be very honored if our work is seen in the world,” shares director Staņislavs Tokalovs.
The series Soviet Jeans has 8 episodes planned, telling the story of how Renārs, a rock and roll fan and petty criminal who trades in Western jeans and tries to fool the system and make money, meets his lifelong love Tina. Unfortunately, Renārs is placed in a psychiatric hospital, where he starts an underground business, producing imitations of cult American jeans brands. He begins cooperation with the director of the psychiatric hospital, who makes a good profit from it and promises Renārs freedom in return. Jeans gain popularity among Latvian youth, and Renārs becomes an anonymous underground legend. The KGB searches for this sewing workshop all over the country. Renārs comes into their sights, until they finally surround him, although they cannot prove anything. The conflict between Renārs and the KGB agent goes beyond jeans and criminal cases - it becomes a clash of life philosophies and ideologies. Step by step, Renārs becomes a real rebel, the jeans business is no longer a tool for gaining freedom, but a form of protest, a higher goal.
Starring: Kārlis Arnolds Avots, Aamu Milonoff un Igors Šelegovskis.
Cast: Andris Keišs, Gints Grāvelis, Dainis Gaidelis, Ivars Krasts, Gundars Āboliņš, Jevgēnijs Isajevs, Jānis Jarāns, Nikolajs Šestaks, Valentīns Novopoļskis, Gatis Gāga, Indra Briķe, Juris Bartkēvičs, Matīss Ozols, Jānis Skutelis, Jurijs Djakonovs, Baiba Broka u.c.
The author of the idea for the series is Staņislavs Tokalovs. Scriptwriters: Staņislavs Tokalovs, Teodora Markova, Waldemar Kalinowski, directors: Staņislavs Tokalovs, Juris Kursietis. Cinematographer Valdis Celmiņš, artists Laura Dišlere and Zanda Landrāte-Bedrīte, costume designer Liene Bite, makeup artist Maija Gundare, composer Kārlis Auzāns, sound director Ernests Ansons and editing director Oskars Morozs. Producer Aija Bērziņa, studio Tasse Film.
The general sponsor of the series is the DEPO chain of stores. The series was created with the support of the European Regional Development Fund and the National Film Centre. The co-financiers of the series are Go3 and TV3. International distributor: Beta Film.
* The film has received 12 nominations for the national film award “Lielais Kristaps”:
Best Multi-Series Film
Best Feature Film Director (Staņislavs Tokalovs and Juris Kursietis )
Best Feature Film Cinematographer (Valdis Celmiņš)
Best Actor in a Leading Role (Kārlis Arnolds Avots)
Best Supporting Actor (Igors Šelegovskis, Andris Keišs, Valentīns Novopoļskis)
Best Costume Designer (Liene Bite)
Best Make-up Artist (Maija Gundare)
Best Editing Director (Oskars Morozs)
Best Artist (Laura Dišlere, Zanda Landrāte-Bedrīte)
Best Screenwriter (Staņislavs Tokalovs, Teodora Markova, Waldemar Kalinowski)
** The 74th Berlin International Film Festival will take place from February 15 to 25.
Information prepared by:
Inga Zālīte
Series Soviet Jeans
Media representative
Mobile: +371 28687743
E-mail: izalite@gmail.com
(Translated with the help of DeepL Translate)
