Bille

Bille 2018

• Directors: Inara Kolmane
• Based on autobiographical novel by Nobel prize nominee Vizma Belsevica
• Cast: Ruta Kronberga, Elna Vane, Arturs Skrastins
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Arturs Skrastins – Wallander
• Why? Gift from our dear friend AZ
• Seen: 26 January 2020      

       Bille (Kronberga), about six or seven years old, lives with her parents (Vane and Skrastins) in pre-WWII Riga. Her father is loving but drinks. Her mother suffers from ‘nerves’ and can’t work. The parents fight a lot and Bille dreams of them all being happy and loving each other. When she feels especially rejected and neglected, she runs off with some neighbour kids to find Dreamland. They don’t get there, and they straggle home.

       And Bille’s life straggles on. Politics hover: the Germans leave the country, including Bille’s little neighbour girl, a friend.

       It’s a subdued film with everyday struggles and hurts and humiliations and hopes and dreams. Kronberga is a real star as Bille. All the acting is first rate. Do try to find and see this film.

5 * of 5.