A new documentary on the experience of pregnancy ‘Presence’ has been made

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The film, which is eligible for this year’s “Big Kristaps” in two categories (best feature film and best documentary), will be available on several Internet platforms from November 16, informs Kristīne Matīsa, a representative of the National Film Center.

The documentary “Presence” was made by two directors, Liene Linde and Armands Začs, and has been made for almost four years.

Armands Začs says that the idea for the film came shortly after his son Mikelis was born. “I was amazed at how little I know about the feelings that can accompany a woman during pregnancy. During the filming process, I was pleasantly surprised at how willingly our heroines share their feelings and thoughts. One could even say that they felt the need to express themselves. I hope that this film will create openness and deepen the empathy with which we look at the seemingly self – evident processes of our lives, “says the director.

“During the making of the film, we often heard a surprised question – does such a film not already exist? Strange, but it has not been in Latvia – despite the fact that pregnancy is a topic most directly related to the continuation of all mankind, this question is usually seen as private. “Almost secret, it is not accepted to talk about it out loud or go deeper. With the film Presence, we want to reduce this atmosphere of secrecy, as well as say thank you to all the women who take on the difficult and unique role of mother,” adds Liene Linde, the film ‘s second director.

Director Armands Začs has so far worked as an editing director, for example in the feature film “City by the River” (2020, nomination for editing this year’s “Big Kristaps”), in the documentary “Spy Who’s My Father” (2019, received “Big Kristaps” “about editing directing”) and “Lustrum” (2018), in the feature film “What They Don’t See” (2017). As a director, Liene Linde has made the feature films “Seven Awkward Sex Times” (2016) and “Four Feasts” (2012), both of which have been awarded “The Great Kristaps” as the best student films.

The documentary “Presence” closely portrays the stories and experiences of four Latvian women during pregnancy. Choreographer Rūta longs to return to dancing while waiting for her second child. Beata has never wanted children, but is conscientiously preparing for the role of mother. During her second pregnancy, she was afraid that the postpartum depression she had already experienced would not be repeated. For Valery, a child means hope for the beginning of a new and better life. All four women provide an intimate and open insight into the life changes and emotional challenges experienced by a woman who, in addition to her other social roles, takes on the role of mother.

“The film comes out at a time when there is a lot of talk about the lack of women’s stories in Latvian cinema.” Presence “proves that there are such stories, we also have directors. I would not like to highlight it, but rather accept it as the norm,” says producer Guntis Trekteris. The cinematographer of the film “Presence” is Reinis Aristovs, the sound director is Artis Dukaļskis, the original music of the film is composed by Jānis Ruņģis.

Currently, when it is not possible for viewers to be present in cinemas, the film “Presence” will be available on the Internet – from November 16, the film will be available on “Vimeo”, LMT Smart TV, “Shortcut” and “Helio iTV”, as well as on the cinema “Kino Bize” platform ” Home cinema “.

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