Since the restoration of independence, the nature of Latvian society has been characterised by two distinct streams, Russian and Latvian. These streams, instead of converging as generations shift, have instead progressively grown apart over time. The war in Ukraine and the subsequent socio-political transformations in Latvia have brought to light the profound internal division within the information space that Latvian society has been slowly but inexorably moving towards. The evening delved into the complexities of identity and lived experiences of the Russian community in Latvia through the moving narratives of three generations, as captured in Stanislav Tokalov's film “Everything Will Be Alright”. Following the screening, there was the opportunity to talk to the director exploring the significance of the promise that "everything will be alright". This discussion delved into the hurdles that obstruct this promise and how they might be overcome. Together with representatives of Latvian youth, we attempted to find new forms of togetherness and work on constructing a shared identity.
About the film "Everything Will Be Alright": Following the lives of three women across distinct generations in the family of a Russian-speaking Latvian filmmaker, the documentary endeavors to offer a nuanced perspective on a single family's lives within the Baltic Russian community, which encompasses half a million individuals.. The film is based on the life stories of three women. The grandmother, a World War II veteran, arrived in Latvia in 1955 in search of a better life. The mother, serving as a lecturer at the Institute of Transport and Communications, plays a pivotal role, while her 18-year-old daughter is a young artist. Beyond a simple portrayal, the film seeks to illuminate whether this family has successfully managed to find its place in Latvian society during 30 years of independence.
The discussion was moderated by director Stanislav Tokalov.
The event was part of the "Collective Community Movement" project. The project is implemented by the LCCA in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut in Riga and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany.