It was a quick thought reflecting on how Jānis in Latvian mythology and Janus in Roman mythology are so similar. While the roman Janus is known to be the god of doors and transitions, representing the middle ground between both concrete and abstract dualities such as life/death, beginning/end, youth/adulthood, rural/urban, etc., the Latvian Jānis is the gentle weaver of opposites during the summer solstice, the one that holds these dualities together.
Through these myths we looked to reinvent these age old stories and bring them back to life together with the one and only TAUTUMEITAS.
Tautumeitas ― Danco, Jāni
Midsummer is a time of transitions. Fire embraces water, day grows into night, and we all become whole again.
Team
Director ― Dārta Apsīte
Co-director ― Dārta Sakārne
DOP ― Dāvids Smiltiņš
Producer ― Līva Vernere
1stAD ― Sintija Andersone
1stAC ― Valters Krūzkops
Gaffer ― Ņikita Karpovs
Editor & Color grade ― Emīls Kālis
Production Designer ― Annemarija Ščegoļeva
Make-up ― Santa Rundzāne
Make-up assistant ― Elvita Vilcāne
Hair stylist ― Agnija Vagele
Camera assistant ― Dāvis Gauja
Philosophy adviser ― Austra Apsīte
Production assistant ― Grēta Grebže
Choreographer ― Alise Bokaldere
BTS photo ― Austra Apsīte
Camera and Lightning Equipment ― BBrental
Catering ― Wolt, Es mīlu kafiju
Costumes:
LIGHT ― Paulīne Kalniņa, Līva Drešere
Sun crowns ― Artūrs Analts, Aurēlija Rancāne
DARK ― Alise Petrago, Asnate Egle, Baiba Valentinoviča, Marta Laure, Santa Kirmuža Svilāne, Alise Paškovska (Latvian Academy of Art)
Crowns ― Brigita Stroda
Stylist ― Līva Ejuba
JĀŅI ― Laima Jurča
Thanks to Dāgs Mors, Reinis Blūms, Sintija Brakša, Ermīns Baltais, Alfrēds Sebris.
Year
2024, Summer