On November 21, 2019, Alvis Hermanis' play "The White Helicopter" premiered at the New Riga Theatre and has garnered great interest in Latvia and around the world. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and related restrictions, the production has so far experienced only 20 performances and attended by just over 6,000 spectators. In order to provide an opportunity for a larger number of spectators to see the production, a film based on the performance “The White Helicopter” is being produced.
The film is based on true events leading up to the historical 2013 resignation of Benedict XVI. After succeeding John Paul II, and serving as Pope for eight years, Joseph Ratzinger shocked the world by becoming the first Pope to voluntarily resign in over 600 years. In light of moral and ethical upheavals in the Catholic Church, and the unique challenges of the 21st century, Ratzinger's cited reason of declining health raises more questions than it answers.
The film is directed by the author of the play and director of the performance - Alvis Hermanis. Featuring Mikhail Baryshnikov and actors from the New Riga Theater, Kaspars Znotins, Guna Zarina and Regina Razuma. Notable professionals from the Latvian cinema industry, Andrejs Rudzats and Martins Grauds, have been invited to implement the project.
The film will be in English (partly in Italian, Polish and Latin) with subtitles in Latvian, Russian and English. The filming process takes place at the New Riga Theatre in April this year. This exceptional film will be released and available to viewers in Latvia and all over the world at the end of the year.
For more information contact:
Elīna Adamaite (International Project Manager), phone +371 29274868, email: [email protected]
Inga Liepina (Advertising and Public Relations), phone +371 29174775, email: [email protected]
