This black and white film relates the real story of silent film actress Maria Leiko travelling from Germany to Soviet Russia and trapped by the regime. Maria and the Latvian theatre company in which she was enrolled become victims of the massive purges of this period. The jury appreciated the transformation of the main character who witnessed the evils of the system and eventually decided on choosing silence as a form of resistance against outrageous violence. (Photo: © Mistrus Media)
Festivals
The Iranian film "Keyke mahboobe man" (My Favourite Cake) by Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha has won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury for a film in the International Competition at the 74th Berlinale. The film was also awarded by the Jury of International Film Critics (Fipresci). The Golden Bear went to the documentary film "Dahomey" by French director Mati Diop.