Sisters (first feature)

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Sisters (Masas)

original title:

Masas

directed by:

cast:

Emma Skirmante, Gerda Aljena, Victoria Mayers-Gray, Bella Alexandras, Iveta Pole, Elita Klavina, Neil McGarry, Katrina Kreslina

screenplay:

cinematography:

Aleksandrs Grebnevs

editing:

Linda Olte, Andris Grants

set design:

Laura Dislere

costume design:

Sieglinde Michaeler

production:

Deep Sea Studios - Fenixfilm, Albolina Film, supported by Ministero della Cultura, with the support of Latvian National Film Centre, Eurimages, IDM Film Commission Südtirol

country:

Latvia/Italy

year:

2022

film run:

104'

format:

colour

status:

Ready (05/06/2022)

festivals & awards:

  • Beijing International Film Festival 2023: International Competition
  • BUFF 2023: Panorama
  • Odessa International Film Festival 2023: International Competition
  • Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 2022: Youth Competition
  • WFF - Warsaw Film Festival 2022: Competition 1-2 - Best Film, FIPRESCI Prize
  • Nordic Film Days Lubeck 2022: Children and Youth Film Programme
  • Bolzano Film Festival Bozen 2023: Audience Award Città di Bolzano, IDM Film Award
  • Latvian National Film Awards 2023: Best director, Best supporting actress (Iveta Pole)
  • Golden Linden International Film Festival of New European Cinema 2023: Best Film, Best director, Best actress (Emma Skirmante)
  • Seoul International Children Film Festival 2023: Best actress (Emma Skirmante)

Anastasia (13) and Diana (9) are two sisters living in a Latvian orphanage. When they get to know that an American family is ready to adopt them, Diana cannot wait to move to the States, while Anastasia is less excited about the idea of leaving her home. When their estranged biological mother Alla returns to their lives, Anastasia does everything to establish a relationship with her, but Alla seems to have other plans. Anastasia has to make a crucial decision - to leave her biological mother behind and move to live in America, or to remain home in hopes of living with her real mom.