PGC24 – BANANA BOAT

Banana Boat

Banāns upē (Banana Boat)

Regia: Kristaps Brize; sceneggiatura: Kristaps Brize; interpreti: Toms Aunins, Kaspars Dumburs, Nestors Cerjovs Krumins, Ilva Centere; produzione: FA Filma; distribuzione: Alief.

Lettonia, 2024, 85’. Versione originale con sottotitoli in italiano. Opera prima. Anteprima italiana.

SINOSSI

Ralf, un trentacinquenne in crisi, cerca di salvare la sua relazione portando il figlio della sua ragazza a fare una gita in barca, con l’intento di affermarsi come figura paterna. Per rendere il viaggio più interessante, invita anche il suo amico Linards, un collega di lavoro noto per il suo carattere imprevedibile e le sue avventure amorose. Tuttavia, ben presto si rende conto che Linards non rappresenta un buon esempio per il ragazzo. Mentre cercano di navigare le acque difficili del fiume, Ralf cerca di proteggere il giovane dalle stravaganti idee dell’amico. Quando la barca si capovolge, i tre dovranno affrontare le dure realtà della natura e mettere da parte il loro orgoglio.

NOTE DI REGIA

Come regista, credo in film pensati per un pubblico ampio. Volevo affrontare temi seri in modo leggero e, allo stesso tempo, non avere paura di mostrare quanto possano essere vulnerabili e fragili gli uomini quando non sanno come comunicare con gli adolescenti o quando si trovano in situazioni fuori dal loro controllo. Dietro la superficie di questo racconto di formazione si nasconde una storia molto personale. La relazione del protagonista con il ragazzo riflette la mia esperienza nel costruire legami con i figli di mia moglie nel corso degli anni. 

BIO REGISTA

Kristaps Brīze holds a master’s degree in film directing from the Latvian Academy of Culture (2009–2012) and a bachelor’s degree in audiovisual media from the Baltic Film and Media School in Tallinn (2003–2007). He attended Boris Frumin’s filmmaking course, which had a profound influence on his directing style. His early films include the short film Neighbors (2003),  Finance man (2004), which won the “Lielais Kristaps” award (Latvian National Cinema Award) for Best Short Film, the short documentary Laws of Nature (2002) and several music videos. In 2024, he made his feature film debut with Banana Boat.

PLOT

Ralf, a thirty-five-year-old going through a rough patch, tries to save his relationship by taking his girlfriend’s son on a boating trip, hoping to step into a fatherly role. To liven things up, he invites his friend Linards, a workmate known for his unpredictable nature and romantic escapades. But it doesn’t take long for Ralf to realize that Linards might not be the best influence on the boy. As they navigate the river’s challenging waters, Ralf does his best to shield the boy from his friend’s wild ideas. When their boat capsizes, the three must face nature’s harsh realities and put their pride aside.

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

As a director, I believe in films for a wider audience. I wanted to talk about serious topics in a light way and at the same time to not be afraid to expose how vulnerable and fragile men can be when they don’t really know how to talk with teens and in situations they cannot control. Behind this shell of a coming-of-age narrative lays a very personal story. The protagonist’s relationship with the boy encapsulates my own relationship-building experience with my wife’s kids through many years.

DIRECTOR’S BIO

Kristaps Brīze holds a master’s degree in film directing from the Latvian Academy of Culture (2009–2012) and a bachelor’s degree in audiovisual media from the Baltic Film and Media School in Tallinn (2003–2007). He studied under Boris Frumin, whose filmmaking course had a strong impact on his directing style. His early works include the short film Neighbors (2003), Finance Man (2004)—which won the “Lielais Kristaps” award (the Latvian National Cinema Award) for Best Short Film—the short documentary Laws of Nature (2002), and several music videos. In 2024, he made his feature film debut with Banana Boat.