I first found out about this Latvian movie after buying the soundtrack album.
The Front cover struck my eye, and having heard and liked Raimonds Pauls´ previous
soundtrack and musical work, such as "Double Trap", "Šerloks Holmss" and " Sister Carrie",
I decided to give it a try. The Movie (and soundtrack) is from 1991, around the time when Soviet Union collapsed.
Latvia used to be part of Soviet Union, and there was a record pressing factory in Riga.
So this LP is not on the Soviet state run Melodiya-label of the ministry of culture, like Raimonds Pauls´ previous output.
Instead it was released on the new Latvian Ritonis -label. The music is quite interesting. Drum machines and synths are there, with a updated 90´s sound, even though I would not call it a masterpiece, it´s still worth owning for the sheer obscurity and weirdness of it.
On the front cover you can see a erotic cabaret dancer, or a stripper / prostitute.
In front of her on the floor are syringes, a drop of blood and a mirror.
I started wondering, how in the world can the movie be like?
After some years of having the LP, I finally found the Film on You Tube!
I believe it is the first (and only) Latvian movie I have ever seen.
No one in Finland is Importing Films from east-europe, and they are never shown on TV either.
Anyway...
I checked it out and...It is very interesting. Unfortunately there is no subtitles, and it is age-restricted, so you have to sign in to see it. It´s very very long as well (in two parts).
Is it a Movie or a TV-Series? I do not know.
"Kinofilmai" sounds like a movie to me.
As much as I could understand (I dont speak Latvian), the Film is taking place in Latvian underworld, with strippers, or erotic cabaret dancers
dancing in a club / Hotel and people dying from overdose of Intravenous drugs.
Maybe one day we can see a legitimate release of this Film for western audiences?
I would not hold my breath, though.
You never know, though. Check this 2004 CD re-issue of "Šerloks Holmss" on Mikrofona Ieraksti-label, somehow sponsored by the Finnish hardware store chain K-Rauta!
I did not even know they had K-Rauta in Latvia!
I picked that CD up when I visited the country, I thought it was just so bizarre.
Anyway...
Im sharing the link(s) here, Please do not judge me for copyright infringement.
Instead If you own this and want this blog post removed, drop me a message and I will do it.