In-Person Screenings: Saturday, November 11, 5:30 pm

SOVIET MILK ( Mātes piens )
Ināra Kolmane, Latvia/Belgium, 2023
110 minutes, In Latvian, Russian with English subtitles
North American Premiere

In a gripping tale set against the backdrop of occupied Soviet Latvia from 1945 to 1989, Soviet Milk chronicles the life of Astra (Maija Doveika), a talented young doctor whose life unravels in her defiant struggle against a totalitarian regime. Stripped of her career, her joy for life, and even her maternal instincts resulting in her denying her baby breast milk, Astra finds herself adrift in a repressive society. Her teenage daughter, Nora (Rūta Kronberga) and intersex friend Jesse (Zane Bierande) emerge as her steadfast allies. As they navigate the same oppressive landscape seeking truth and purpose, they form a tight-knit support system to aid Astra’s battle with her overwhelming depression.

Directed with a profound understanding of the subject matter, the film is a tour de force of female-led storytelling. It sensitively captures the tumultuous lives of its characters as they wrestle with personal demons while confronting an authoritarian regime. Drawing inspiration from the acclaimed international best seller of the same name by Nora Ikstena, the movie gracefully navigates the passage of time, employing a dual narrative that traverses the shifting landscape of the Soviet era (Elīna Vaska-Botere plays Astra in her youth). With its meticulously crafted setting, palpable sense of surveillance, and thought-provoking performances, the film artfully captures the essence of an era characterized by constant uncertainty and pervasive mistrust. Soviet Milk is a poignant exploration of resilience and sacrifice.

Festival History
ILFU Literature Festival, Holland 2023

Stockholm Baltic Sea Festival 2023