Melanijas Hronika (The Chronicles of Melanie)

 Melanijas Hronika (The Chronicles of Melanie) 2016

• Director: Viesturs Kariss
• Based on book by Melanija Vanagas
• Cast: Sabine Timoteo, Edvins Mekks
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• None of them
• Why? It was a gift from my friend Antra
• Seen: 8 June 2022      

       It could be any war. Soldiers are brutal. Civilians are deported. Men are killed, women and children herded into camps. Some survive, some don’t.

       1941. Latvians are deported to Siberia. Melanija (Timoteo) and her son (Mekks) are among them. She survived to write about it. Though IMDb doesn’t give her credit, the film is based on her memoirs.

       Filmed in black and white, there is little dialogue but many facial close-ups, birdsong, rustling leaves, snowy mountain panoramas, memories, death. It’s slow, often dreamlike, almost romanticised, if one can use the word in this context.

       I hate to say it, but it drags. It’s interesting but not as gripping as it should be. Still, it’s worth seeing. What will stay with me is the story of the women’s strength and will to survive. 

3 ½ * of 5  

PS It’s a very Russian film. Sorry, Latvia.