Private Project

Hike '44

“Hike '44" is a personal story by director Lauris Abele and cinematographer Marcis Abele about how to maintain humanity when the world falls apart. The protagonist of the film, Melita Abele (89), retraces her refugee path from 1944, when, at the age of 14, she had to leave her home at the beginning of winter. She had to ask strangers for shelter, spend nights in the woods until she found refuge and warm hearts. Through the use of animation, the viewer will be guided through Melita's memories on a journey through recent and present-day Latvia until a series of events brings Melita to what she has been trying to accomplish for 75 years.

  • Lauris Abele
    Director
    Castratus the Boar, Baltic Tribes, Couronians
  • Marcis Abele
    Director
  • Lauris Abele
    Writer
  • Zane Sietniece
    Producer
  • Melita Abele
    Key Cast
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Pārgājiens '44
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    26 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    November 1, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    20,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Latvia
  • Country of Filming:
    Latvia
  • Language:
    Latvian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Latvian National Film Awards "Lielais Kristaps"
    Riga
    Latvia
    February 10, 2020
Director Biography - Lauris Abele, Marcis Abele

Lauris Abele is Latvian filmmaker, born in Riga on March 14, 1980. He has obtained Masters degree in Audio-Visual Arts (film directing) at Latvian Academy of Culture and Bachelor's degree in Humanitarian Sciences (philosophy) at University of Latvia.
Together with his brothers (also director) Raitis Abele, he works on short films. Apart from that he has made several music videos and commercials. As film artists both brothers focuses on existential problems of today and strong visual elements.

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