Defenders of Riga
(Rigas sargi)

After bravely serving in the First World War, Martins returns to his hometown of Riga to find his sweetheart Elza and a newly independent Republic of Latvia. Vowing to abandon his life as a soldier, he marries Elza and starts a family. However, in November of 1919, part of the defeated German army joins with Russian forces in an effort to overtake Latvia and Estonia. Caught in the midst of battle, Martins must break his promise and join the fight for independence. Though vastly outnumbered, the Latvian army, along with many civilian volunteers, miraculously manages to defend Riga by pushing back and defeating the Germans. This large-scale historical epic marks a significant point in the development of Latvia's national cinema. In Latvian, Russian, German, and French with English subtitles. Director: Aigars Grauba. (Latvia) 123 mins.

With support from: Northern California Latvian Association

Part of the For Your Consideration program