Directing

Juris Podnieks

Born 1950-12-05 · Riga, Latvian SSR, USSR

Juris Podnieks was born in Riga, Latvia in 1950. He graduated from the celebrated Soviet film school, VGIK, in 1975. He went to work at the Riga studio, first as assistant cameraman, then as cameraman before finally becoming a director in 1979. His first production "The Cradle" won a prize at the Leipzig Festival, and shortly afterwards "The Brothers Kokari” took first prize at the Kiev Youth Festival in 1981. In the same year he received wide recognition inside and outside of the Soviet Union for his film „Constellation of Riflemen” which won honours in the 17th All State Festival in Leningrad, and also the Latvian Kosovo prize. The film which first won him international recognition was "Is It Easy To Be Young?” which exploded many popular myths about Soviet youth. Juris happened to shoot some footage of young people at a rock concert in July 1985, which achieved some notoriety because a train returning to Riga afterwards was badly vandalised. He tracked down some of the youngsters and questioned them about their lives and aspirations. Two of them were tried and convicted of criminal damage on the train, and Juris managed to bluff his way into the courtroom to film the trial. The film broke box-office records in the Soviet Union and was later shown across the world. Podnieks’ collaborations with British Television (Central TV and Channel 4) have been very rewarding, giving British viewers insights and perceptions into events inside the Soviet Union. "Hello, Do You Here Us?” a five part documentary, was filmed over a three year period: showing unrest in Uzbekistan, survivors of the earthquake in Armenia, striking workers in Yaroslavl and former residents returning to Chernobyl. "Red Hot”, the first film in the series, was awarded the coveted Prix Italia. Podnieks’ later films were constructed around the rising tide of nationalism in the Baltic States. "Homeland” was an inspiring record of the outpouring of feeling accompanying Song Festival in Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania at which hauntingly beautiful songs banned for 50 years were sung by massed choirs. While filming the follow-up to "Homeland”, Podnieks and his crew came under sniper fire during a disturbance in Riga. This incident, still a subject of some controversy, is under investigation by the Latvia authorities. Andris Slapins, a long time friend and collaborator was killed instantly and Gvido Zvaigzne, who had worked with Juris filming, "Hello, Do You Hear Us?” died later from his injuries. Both shared camera credits on "Homeland” with Podnieks. The incident was captured on video and was broadcast as a postscript to "Homeland”. Podnieks used a mixture of interviews, music and archive footage to create a uniquely poetic form of documentary without the intrusion of voice-over. At the time of Podnieks’ tragic death he was developing a new project which later was included in the film “Unfinished Business” made by his colleagues.

Acting credits

5.8

An autobiographical work from Herz Frank. Images guide us through the countries in which he worked, interspersed with fragments from his earlier films: births, autopsies, circumcisions, prisoners awaiting execution and other shocking themes.

Flashback

2003

Podnieks On Podnieks. A Witness To History poster

9.0

A film about the outstanding Latvian film director Juris Podnieks, who during his lifetime gained the fame of a fighter for justice and an "eye-opener". Podnieks has created testimonies about the most important events of the twentieth century in the post-Soviet territory. He always saw a bigger picture, it was not just Latvia what interested him. His ability to cover such a wide spectrum of themes - wars, lost freedom of his own country, the Soviet regime and its collapse, young people, artists. But most importantly, he was always focusing on the human soul. Juris creates an emotional bond between the author and his characters, the characters and the viewer - he was talking to each individual. Perhaps this is why his films made such an effect on the viewer. Juris Podnieks has clearly been able to influence millions of viewers with his films. Juris himself died in the summer of 1992 in a diving accident. Did he manage to fulfill his mission in this life?

Podnieks On Podnieks. A Witness To History

2024

Behind the camera

Afterword for the film "Homeland" - January 1991. Death of Andris Slapiņš and Gvido Zvaigzne.

Afterword

1991

10.0

The film is an emotional story about fateful historical events in the 20th century, which took place in three Baltic countries- Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. The story is also about their efforts to regain independence.

Homeland

1990

10.0

Homeland

1990

10.0

Homeland

1990

A film about the well-known Latvian artists, choir conductors - Imants and Gido Kokars.

Brāļi Kokari

1978

The director mixes excerpts from his documentaries Soviets and Homeland with footage of the collapse of the Soviet Union.

End of Empire

1991

The director mixes excerpts from his documentaries Soviets and Homeland with footage of the collapse of the Soviet Union.

End of Empire

1991

A documentary on elderly Naivist painters in 90ies Latvia. These people find a lot of joy and harmony in their amazing creations even if they might not know a lot about the conventional art.

The Naives

1992

4.8

Portrayal of a generation of rebellious teenagers growing up under Communist rule in Latvia.

Is It Easy to Be Young?

1986

4.8

Portrayal of a generation of rebellious teenagers growing up under Communist rule in Latvia.

Is It Easy to Be Young?

1986

2.0

A collective portrait of the Latvian Red Riflemen is made up of memories told by the old men themselves. Unique and harsh are their destinies during the World War I and the revolution, at the opposite fronts of civil war, in 1930s. The victories of the Riflemen, their courage, confidence, pain and tragedy. The authors of the film have been able to save these tales from the relentless flow of time and make everyone realise the role of the Latvian Riflemen in history and nation.

The Constellation of Riflemen

1982

2.0

The Constellation of Riflemen

1982

No artwork available

The last film of Juris Podnieks, it is dedicated to the memory of cameramen Andris Slapins and Gvido Zvaigzne, who died tragically during the shooting by OMON forces in the center of Riga in 1991.

Hour of Silence

1992

No artwork available

The last film of Juris Podnieks, it is dedicated to the memory of cameramen Andris Slapins and Gvido Zvaigzne, who died tragically during the shooting by OMON forces in the center of Riga in 1991.