Cinema for me is…
Patricija Marija in 25 frames
1. Describe yourself in ten words
Equally excited and scared of how much there is to explore.
2. What are your 3 best qualities and your 3 worst habits?
3 best qualities: curious, eager to discuss, smart.
3 worst habits: procrastinating, stubbornness, shyness.
3. What is your dream job?
To make people think.
4. What do you like most about your country?
It’s beautiful and spacious – no tourist has ever blocked my view in Riga.
5. What is your favorite dish in your country?
Rhubarb pie made by my grandma.
6. What is the word or the expression in your native language that you like the most and what does it mean?
Jūra līdz ceļiem – the sea is only as high as your knees. The expression is used to talk about someone who acts as if they can do everything. It often has a bad connotation, however I think it does a great job capturing a sense of empowerment.
7. What European capital have you visited lately?
Milan on Easter. (If that counts as some sort of a capital… If not, last capital city I went to was Stockholm.)
8. Other than your own, which European country would you love to live in?
France or Italy. For the dolce far niente way of life.
9. What does Europe means to you?
Infinite possibilities to travel, experience and meet wonderful people.
10. What are the European values that you share
I value deeply human rights and equality, as well as peace and individual freedom.
11. What film made you fall in love with cinema?
Pierrot Le Fou by Godard. It made me realize that cinema is a very concentrated version of the beauty and struggle of life.
12. What is your favorite cinema theatre and what do you like about it?
Splendid Palace in Riga because of the wonderful interior and facade of the building.
13. Where do you like to watch movies and on which platform (DVD, online, cinema, mobile phone, etc.)?
In cinema is the best, however most often I watch on my laptop.
14. Who is your movie hero?
Amélie Poulain.
15. If you were a movie director which one would you like to be?
Myself… if I were a movie director.
16. Briefly describe your favorite scene
These are some really hard questions. I will go with the dance scene from Pulp Fiction. They get up to participate in the dance contest, go barefoot and make complete fools out of themselves. I love the contrast between the somewhat serious attitude of people around them and their own silliness. Feels like nothing in the world matters but fun.
17. What are the 5 best European films you have seen in the last year?
Imagine (Andrzej Jakimowski, 2012) PL
Swimming Pool (François Ozon, 2003) FR
Playtime (Jacques Tati, 1967) FR
Dans la maison (Francois Ozon, 2012) FR
The Dreamers (Bernando Bertolucci, 2003) IT
18. Which is the film character that you most identify with?
I’ll go with one of the Maries from Daisies by Vera Chytilová (1966).
19. Your favorite soundtrack or song?
Salt for Svanetia (1930) soundtrack.
20. If you had to live in a movie, which one would you like it to be?
Pierrot Le Fou.
21. Your life becomes a bio-pic. Who plays the role of you?
Rooney Mara or Audrey Tautou. However, they are both a bit too old and their noses are a bit too tiny.
22. Which talent would you most like to have?
Speaking all the languages in the world.
23. What is your most treasured possession?
Myself.
24. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Spending an entire year away from my family and everything I know at the age of 17. I spent an exchange year in France, learning a new language and culture.
25. What is your motto?
If not me, then who?
If not now, then when?