The First Bridge
The First Bridge is a film about frontiers, barriers, the ways to cross over and see what goes on, on the other side. But it also a film about time, as it was shot on Kodak Negative Films acquired in the year 1997 and discovered intact in 2018. A new example of the deliciously unique creativity of Laila Pakalniņa (Ateliers VdR 2013).
Laila Pakalniņa (Ateliers VdR 2013) is a household name at Visions du Réel. The Festival has always cherished her witty and extremely creative work, challenging the boundaries along the so-called documentary territory and the layered realms of hybrid fiction. What has always been astonishing throughout her decades long career, is the consistent quality of her work, regardless of formats or genres. The First Bridge is another wonderful example of her deliciously idiosyncratic creativity. The First Bridge is a film about frontiers, barriers, the ways to cross over and see what goes on, on the other side. And for once it is best to leave the floor to the director who knows best how to introduce her new work. “Krāslava bridge is the first bridge built over the river Daugava in the territory of Latvia—a gate for the Daugava river from Belarus to Latvia”, explains Laila Pakalniņa. “Every film is about time, but ours maybe a bit more than others as it was shot on Kodak Eastman Plus-X Negative Film 5231, acquired in the year 1997 and discovered intact in 2018. So, we are dedicating The First Bridge to film stock”.
Giona A. Nazzaro
