mana dzimtene.

 evaluation: 

I'm pleasantly surprised with the outcome. I was really excited to use archive footage, and to tell a story that people aren't really aware of. I enjoyed filming the visuals for my interpretation of my grandmother's stories as I had to get creative with it. I used a dictionary my grandmother used to have in 40s, and some photos I took with a film camera outside my home. I used a white flower and red inks, and a mirror for the Forest Brothers part, and footage I filmed earlier this year whilst it was snowing of an old Soviet Orthodox church.

I decided that in part two I would let the subtitles tell the real stories while I'd direct my speech at only Latvians as it's quite personal and talks about the recent years and how things seem to be getting worse again over time. I cite a few personal experiences within this part, but they are meant to bring Latvia's attention to these problems without alarming anyone else, hence the choice. I suppose in some way it's a trick as two audiences would get two very different things from that part of the film.

As for text and my voiceover, I managed to cut down its usage to have more breathing space which ended up being the perfect decision to make the film more free-flowing and easier to digest, whilst also allowing a beautiful interlude dedicated to The Baltic Way and its amazing story.

All in all, I'd say I'm proud of it because I think it represents my homeland perfectly without being too overwhelming, and giving a bit of ambiguity at the end - just as it feels like to everyone at home at the moment. I felt passionate about the subject matter, so I hope it came across, although I'm still unhappy with my voice as I feel it's below standard quality.