Streaming Levies for Latvian Film and What to Watch at Riga IFF
A commentary on culture covers the dispute over requiring streaming platforms to invest in Latvian film, as well as the programme of the Riga International Film Festival, Riga IFF. The author singles out two black-and-white films starring actress Sandra Hüller.
Latvia is debating a law that would require streaming platforms to invest in national cinema. In a culture commentary by Dita Rietuma, the author says that last week's discussion centred on the prime minister's initiative to halt the bill, with a call to "come to your senses". The concern is linked to relations with Latvia's strategic partner.
European practice
The author notes that neighbouring Estonia and Finland are also preparing similar rules. Both will apply Article 13(2) of the EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive, which allows member states to oblige audiovisual service providers to contribute financially even if they operate in the national market but are registered in another country. Such laws have already been adopted by, among others, France, Germany, Denmark, Italy and Portugal.
Public funding is shrinking in many places, so the contribution of streaming platforms is becoming important. In Latvia, the sums would not run into many millions, since the market is small and subscriber numbers are not comparable with those in large European countries. Still, it could be a significant extra resource for a film sector whose funding options are already limited.
The Riga IFF programme
The programme of the Riga International Film Festival, Riga IFF, includes films that have been shown at the Berlin, Cannes and Venice festivals. The author stresses that films without those festival credentials are also worth discovering.
She highlights black-and-white films that visually echo Viesturs Kairišs's drama Uļa, which premiered at Cannes and has drawn about 76,000 viewers in Latvian cinemas. She calls this a surprising result given the radical form of the film.
She recommends two black-and-white films: Homeland by Polish director Paweł Pawlikowski and Rose by German director Markus Schleinzer. Both star German actress Sandra Hüller. Homeland features writer Thomas Mann and his daughter Erika, while Rose centres on a 17th-century woman who has created a different identity for herself.
