I Was Born in Riga

About This Movie

I Was Born in Riga is one of those films that pulls you into the intimate world of Ansis Epners and his family, while also casting a wider net on Latvian history. The pacing feels contemplative, almost like a meditation on memory and loss, which suits the documentary style beautifully. You get this blend of personal narrative and sociopolitical context. The atmosphere is heavy with nostalgia and a touch of sorrow, reflecting on Epners’s experiences of deportation. The practical effects are mostly the real-life elements of Riga itself—its streets, buildings—giving it a grounded feel. It’s distinctive in how it intertwines family storytelling with the larger tapestry of a nation’s past, revealing layers of Epners’s personality and creative spirit without the glossy sheen that often comes with documentaries.

A deep dive into personal and national identity.The pacing invites reflection, making it a slow burn.Rich in historical context, revealing layers of memory.