“The Soul of Souls” or “The Rifleman” is shown in British cinemas / Article / LSM.lv

Currently, in the United Kingdom, on the big screen in 15 cities it is possible to watch the Latvian film “Soul Blower”, for which the British distributors “Parkland Entertainment” chose another name – “The Rifleman” – in Latvian – “Sagittarius”. The film is shown in Latvian with English subtitles, so the film’s distributors did not expect a big visit, but the Latvian diaspora has caused another surprise by diligently supporting their own. It should be noted that the reviews of the film from the British side are also good. In the United Kingdom, cinemas were only allowed to open from 4 July, many cinemas in the country are still closed, so, for example, in Leicester, where a large Latvian diaspora lives, the film cannot be shown yet.

At Peterborough’s “Showcase” cinema, the interest in Latvian film was so great that additional screenings had to be held over the weekend. Due to the pandemic, it is still necessary to take precautions, so there was even a queue at the entrance. “Living abroad, I want to see Latvian culture, Latvian films. That’s why we came to look with our own eyes, to compare the book with the film,” said the film’s viewer Lena Dimante.

Precautions include not only disinfecting the hands, but also almost halving the number of seats in the hall. “There’s nowhere to be found after Covid-19. We just isolate ourselves at home, go to the store once a week and that’s it. And now to the movies!” its viewer Aija Ozolina.

An annotation of the film, written by the British themselves, states: “The film shows the horrors and brutality of the First World War, which is shown through the eyes of a 17-year-old boy who becomes a soldier from a country boy. Although he has not grown up and his father, a former rifleman, is too old for the army, they are both called up in one of the first Latvian national battalions. ”

Watching a film in Latvian on the big screen in England is a special experience, so a couple even measured a 3-hour journey. “

I think I will never see him, well, maybe somewhere on the computer, but this will be a very nice experience now! “Said the viewer Mārtiņš Žalkovsis.

It is interesting that non-Latvians like to watch films in the original language with English subtitles, therefore there are not only Latvians in the hall. “We have come together with my boyfriend Jamija, who is also interested in Latvian films. Especially because there will be text in English. It is very difficult to get Latvian films with English subtitles,” said the viewer Inta Darčika.

The director of the film has prepared a special greeting from Latvia. “I am very happy that we finally have the opportunity to deliver this film for you to see. And I am really happy that it will be shown in cinemas. My request is – take some coal with you so that they come and you look at who we are, who are the riflemen who have given us the opportunity to speak Latvian so far, “said Dzintars Dreibergs, the director of the film” Blow of Souls “.

Due to the great interest of viewers, the list of cities where you can watch the film will soon be expanded.

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