Baltic Film Festival review: Sisters at Riverside Studios

Baltic Film Festival review: Sisters by Linda Olte at Riverside Studios

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Published on Thursday, 03 November 2022 13:11

Last Updated on 03 November 2022

Madeleine

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Isn’t London the richest place to be for culture? If you know where to look, you can find anything. Last weekend a stream of films from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were on the menu at the Baltic Film Festival at Riverside Studios. Next week, who knows what delights. London Mums‘ editor Monica Costa and I caught the final screening in this festival.

The story

Anastasia (13) and Diana (9) are two sisters living in a Latvian orphanage. When they discover that an American family wants to adopt them, Diana cannot wait to move to the States, while Anastasia is less excited about the prospect of leaving her home and her adult sister, Yulia, and her baby, Lily. When she finds out that their estranged biological mother, Alla, has been released from prison, Anastasia does everything she can to establish a relationship with her, but Alla can hardly take care of herself, let alone her children. Anastasia has to make a crucial decision – to either leave her mother and Yulia behind by moving to America or to remain in Latvia in the hope of one day living with her mother. Anastasia’s decision is made even more difficult when she learns that her sister’s fate also lies in her hands, because the law states that two siblings cannot be split up.

The trailer

The verdict

Filmed by a documentary film maker, Sisters had a realistic feel, as it charts the painful and conflicting emotions of a child in an orphanage who is up for adoption. By turning this social issue in Latvia into a narrative, the Director has whipped up a storm.

Although the tone is much gentler than you would expect, there is always the threat of the children getting drawn into drugs and sexual abuse.

The director, Linda Olte , was present at the Baltic Film Festival for a Q&A session after, hosted by Film Curator and Writer, Mickey La Rosa. We learnt that Olte had intended for the whole cast to be orphans, but it proved to be too challenging. Some of the walk-on parts were played by real orphans, so they could benefit from the experience.

London Mums’ rating: 6/10

More at the Riverside Studios

Check out Riverside Studios for its alternative offering: great for a low-key date night. Or, Mums, why not get together for a girls night out: film and drinks after at their café-bar, all in a tranquil spot overlooking the Thames and Hammersmith Bridge.

The wonderful new Riverside Studios seen from Hammersmith Bridge. Image copyright London Mums magazine

Madeleine

Hi! I have a ‘portfolio’ lifestyle, jumping between mum, journalist, curator of my own museum, chauffeur, French tutor and carer. I love music, dance, theatre and dancing in the evenings, and helping others to enjoy life. I’ve been through the mill healthwise, along with my family, and am grateful for every day.