Ģirts Bišs

They prepare the resting place for us all. They do their work by standing by the side of people when they are in grief, and are the last hands to touch the grave towel that lowers the deceased a meter and a half below the ground. Alongside other ancient professions, gravediggers have inherited knowledge and skills through several generations - not only in digging holes, but also in Latvia's rich cemetery culture, where everything has its own order. Latvia's cemeteries are where traditions from different centuries meet, and every gravedigger needs to know them so that he or she can continue to receive the stamps for the job of digging graves. The most experienced of them have already received 5 000 such stamps, which is equivalent to the population of one town in Latvia.

Standing near the reptile section in a zoo for 26 minutes we can learn a lot about the animals on both sides of the separating glass.

The story of Marģers Vestermanis is special since he is one of the few Holocaust survivors in Latvia. Can you live a full and targeted life after your family has been murdered but you have undergone through ghetto and concentration camp? Not everyone has managed – many remained trapped in the past and were not able to find the strength of living on. If you asked Marģers Vestermanis, he would most probably say that there was no other choice for him. However, this film is not only a story about Marģers Vestermanis who survived Holocaust. This is a story about man's place after surviving a tragedy, about how it changes him and the ones around him. And it is also a story about us.

The world is being ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic and a state of emergency has been declared in Latvia. Street musician Normunds tries to fight the pandemic's caused depression by playing his cello in Old Riga.

The film begins with closing of the oldest prison in Latvia – the Brasa Prison was built in 1905 and cannot ensure normal functioning. Inmates are leaving the place that has long been their only home. Our protagonists reside in Ward 207. They have really inhabited it – there is even a fish tank in the ward! They are not from a different planet. Humanity of the inmates may contrast with their records of committed crimes. All have their small pleasures and big plans. All are longing for changes and being afraid of them. Likewise, the term of imprisonment is running out for several of our protagonists. They are getting ready for life at large. They know how to survive in extreme circumstances but are unprepared for living a normal life. One’s return to the big world is one of the most accentuated marginal situations.

While the parent bears are gathering reserves for the winter, the cubs are having fun with a ball of wool … A story told to the tune of a Latvian lullaby, “Hush Hush Little Bear” (‘Aijā, žūžū, lāča bērni’).

When you first meet Kaspars Putriņš, you get the impression that this person lives outside of time. Friends call him a Renaissance man. Kaspars builds medieval musical instruments which are very rare in Europe, works as a sound director, forms part of the alternative music group “Amoral Psychosis”, and studies developments in nature and space. Not only Kaspars’s professional activity, but also his very way of life raises the question – does the age create a man, or does a man create his age?

The guards of honour stand in front of the historical symbol of the state. No matter what season and weather is out there, they fulfil their duty. Is there a limit beyond which this honourable duty begins to look exaggerated?

The film is set in an isolated metalworking factory, where a metallurgist is doing only one job – endlessly casting himself from tin, to create the ideal cast from the same material he is made of. Metallurgist has an impulsive need to do this job because he is suffering from workaholism and the constant thoughts of not being perfect. The casting process happens over and over again, until one day a mouse shows up at the factory and distracts the metallurgist from his work which puts him at a halt. Can a moment of catching his breath become a part of his work process?

The participants of a ritual are performing a rhythmic energy discharge. Suddenly, a vibration sound comes from outside. Spectators are hurrying back to their places. A dramatic ending can begin.

Everyone has their own emotional overwhelm regarding a bad smell. Lizete, an amateur interviewer, is eager to record the moments when it is revealed. Dealing with the topic of bad odour's influences on society, this is an animated short film for adults in the inquiring style of a documentary. The director continues to work on tragi-comic stories about our natural awkwardness while finding ourselves.

Summer adventure story about two kids who spend summer in city suburb, where together with talking dogs they rescue the romantic wooden-house neighborhood from reconstruction.

Tonight, Anna and her dad have decided to walk home through the forest. Anna takesa torch and dad lights it up for her. The silent nocturnal forest is as enchanting as it is scary – and the bright flameas protective as it is blindingly bright.

While having an exciting summer swim and diving one after another in the water at the foot of a cliff, the main character is unexpectedly separated from the rest of his group of friends by an unsurpassable edge of the cliff and amplified experience. An animation inspired by phenomenon of acrophobia, fear of heights, 2018.

They fell trees in the forest, work in brigades and live in trailers or empty apartments far from home. The work is heavy. During moments of respite, the loggers like to sit on the stumps and talk about life. And about women – those waiting at home, or those they imagine.

Pigtail loves the winter holidays, but this year, shortly before Christmas, Brother comes into the world, turning everything upside down. Grandmother arrives from the countryside, because Pigtail’s parents no longer have time to take her skating, but Pigtail and her best friend, Mr. Sleeplessness, don’t like the new order. They come up with a plan – to send Brother and Grandmother to the Moon, in a bid to reclaim parental attention.

Pigtail loves the winter holidays, but this year, shortly before Christmas, Brother comes into the world, turning everything upside down. Grandmother arrives from the countryside, because Pigtail’s parents no longer have time to take her skating, but Pigtail and her best friend, Mr. Sleeplessness, don’t like the new order. They come up with a plan – to send Brother and Grandmother to the Moon, in a bid to reclaim parental attention.

A message brought by the wind urges a lonely man to go out to the city, but there is someone who does not want him to leave the room.

In the middle of a grey sea there is a grey isle. On this grey island grey hunters live. The life is simple and harsh. Seals and hunters live together in a cruel balance. One day, the Photographer arrives to document this everyday life. For him it turns out to be deadly complicated. The film is an absurd comedy about the unstoppable desire to see the surrounding through one's preconceptions.

The story of the German occupation of Latvia and one of Rīga’s major 20th century historical tragedies, which will be remembered by the people of Rīga forever. French teacher Riva Šefere, lawyer Aleksandrs Bergmanis, music teacher Gabriela Paraša, film historian Valentīna Freimane and historian and founder of the museum “Jews in Latvia” Marģers Vetermanis are just a few of the 30 000 Latvian Jews who were imprisoned in the Riga ghetto. These are eyewitness memories of the holocaust that need to be told.

A world-famous boys' choir goes on a tour. In the hands of their severe conductor they are an obedient musical instrument. But left alone without supervision, they are just playful children. Once in Seoul the conductor is accidentally trapped in the elevator, and the boys are left alone.

A world-famous boys' choir goes on a tour. In the hands of their severe conductor they are an obedient musical instrument. But left alone without supervision, they are just playful children. Once in Seoul the conductor is accidentally trapped in the elevator, and the boys are left alone.

A charcoal on paper animation about a motorcycling circus bear who decides to leave the daily routine and takes off to the forest where his true happiness seems to dwell. Selected at 70+ film festivals. International Festival Premier at Clermont-Ferrand 34th Int'l Short Film Festival, France, 2012.

Over the years, eighty-year-old Irina Pilke, nicknamed the Little Bird, has depicted the events of her life as sketches in diaries. The pages reveal the experiences of World War II, love and separation, and a subtly ironic view on the events in the Soviet Union and among its society. The Little Bird looks at the world from the viewpoint of a small creature rather than from a perspective of power and politics which may be the reason her life story seems so incredibly heartwarming, familiar, and true to the tiniest detail.

Over the years, eighty-year-old Irina Pilke, nicknamed the Little Bird, has depicted the events of her life as sketches in diaries. The pages reveal the experiences of World War II, love and separation, and a subtly ironic view on the events in the Soviet Union and among its society. The Little Bird looks at the world from the viewpoint of a small creature rather than from a perspective of power and politics which may be the reason her life story seems so incredibly heartwarming, familiar, and true to the tiniest detail.

Little children have a bad habit of sucking their thumbs, so in the old days mothers used to frighten them with the Scissorman - a tailor who will cut-off fingers with a big pair of scissors. This film is about the Scissorman.

Each spring, for many, many years, a new nurse has been sent to work on the island of Doctor D., but rumours persist that none have ever returned. Julia heads to the island to solve its mystery, but it turns out that she herself is the secret.

A short Christmas tale about happiness that might be passing right by you. And that's when you realise you've just missed. Who's fault is that? Is it fear, is it inability to fight, or is it just a matter of luck?

She comes at night, quiet as a cat, to take his sleep away until he feeds her. All she needs is milk brought by him somewhere between sleep and reality. Her name is Insomnia.

Forty years have passed, and the protagonist meets his childhood fear - an animated character named Honka.

Forty years have passed, and the protagonist meets his childhood fear - an animated character named Honka.

Based on interviews with over one hundred people including musicians, hockey fans, farmers, executives, and pensioners in the market. From Latvian President Vaira Vike- Freiberga and business tycoon Aivars Lembergs, to Russian poet Sergei Timofeyev, all discussions stem from one question: What does it mean to be Latvian?

Based on interviews with over one hundred people including musicians, hockey fans, farmers, executives, and pensioners in the market. From Latvian President Vaira Vike- Freiberga and business tycoon Aivars Lembergs, to Russian poet Sergei Timofeyev, all discussions stem from one question: What does it mean to be Latvian?

A lonely old man lives in the countryside. The only thing left for him is to wait for the end of his days in the company of his family - his bees.

A man sitting under a tall apple tree is writing a letter.

A man sitting under a tall apple tree is writing a letter.

A story about a boy's attempt to get his own hat. Based on the book and drawings of Latvian author Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš.