A Outra Face da Guerra

A moving story of teenager, who joins army to fight for his people, and his coming-of age against the backdrop of terrors of first World War I, then Russian revolution and finally Latvian War of Independence. A film making at its best, and an especially moving story for Latvians, as it all really happened just a hundred years ago, a birth of our nation state.

First ever thought after movie credits started to appear on the big screen line after line was - I want to hold on to the feeling this movie has been awakening inside of my soul. It's hard to tell a story about a time that has been long gone, yet is in people's memories trough books and history lessons in school. Nevertheless - creators of "Blizzard of souls" are touching audiences with the simplicity, with extracted one person perspective, one joy and love, one... This is actually extremely hard to shine light on history trough a personal journey trough war days and relationships that are formed by the rush of war - everyone understands the urgency to take action and live this very second, to fullest, since there's great chance that might be the last sunrise, last meal, last kiss. Yet everyone is hoping to be able to live long enough to have that peace after.. Movie balances, telling us all the mix of emotions via superb camera work, brilliant movie soundtrack and acting that is heavenly simple and to the point. Some of the episodes are proudly written in the golden heritage of Latvian cinema, some will be. This is the movie that starts great line of stories - after the Alexander Green masterpiece here as cinematic marvel, people should watch "Chronicles of Melania" - these both are letting foreign people to understand the utmost importance and pain we feel and can make you understand why all the time under the soviet oppression was so dark for people who just recently had to fight so courageously to have own time, own country and own values.. No - this is not an easy and entertaining movie. This is a soul shaker. I would love to see 11 stars out of 10 - but giving here full 9 - as my effort towards "less biased" ratings. Must see!

Latvia, the playground of other nations. A small country suffering from the war. You don't often get to see something cinematic from Latvia. And this film in particular can compete with greats in the world. Even if the budget has certainly lost some of its visual power, it is intense and always believable.

Due to the low budget, the film is full of ingenuity. Especially seeing the fight scenes without pompous music is just very stressful and looks very real.

Unfortunately from the second third the film loses its speed and its emotional connection to the viewer. It becomes banal and harmless. In addition, the actors are sometimes not very convincing. Still absolutely worth seeing.

This Latvian film depicts hell on the battlegrounds through the eyes of a sixteen-year-old boy named Arturs during World War l. In this period of time, I learned that the Latvians had been infringed and butchered by neighboring countries such as Germany and Russia. To gain freedom, even children had to fight with rifles in their hands and their innocent blood was spilt. Although the overall style of this film is rather subdued, it conveys the pain and the horror the boy experiences very intensely. Even the battle scenes aren't overly dramatic which makes the film more realistic. Very sad yet a powerful story to watch.

Based on true events and the novel by Aleksandrs Grins, it is a moving story of friendships and strong camaraderie amongst the soldiers in the WW1 battlefields of Latvia (part of old Russia in 1915). Undaunted by guns, grenades, snipers, bayonets, blizzards, and all the bloody horrors of WW1 ... fearless Latvians were proud to defend their homeland from the Germans.

Young actors and engaging characters make compelling watching. The Isle of Death and Christmas fights. I usually do not like war movies (bloodshed) but after 30 mins of viewing, I was hooked. l had to watch it to the end just to see what happened to the FRIENDS who fought TOGETHER - HEROES OF LATVIA. Historically, 1.2M Latvians died in that war. Not telling if the boy hero Arturs, or any of his friends survived the war ... but you might need a hanky at the end of the movie.

I'm buying the video from Amazon Prime, as it really is a good movie that you could and would want to watch again, unlike most war films which are too grisly gore fests. It premiered with Screen International on-line screenings yesterday. Good luck to cast and crew with this year's Oscars.