“AWAY FROM HOME” (First film)
Pain of separation, helplessness in the presence of overwhelming power, shock, vulnerability, incomprehension and fear – these are the intense emotions associated with the massive deportation of Latvia’s inhabitants on 25 March 1949. Most probably due to the violence of the experience, 25 March has become one of the corner stones for the understanding of Latvian history.
The last part of March 1949, was a tragedy for 13 248 families, totalling 42 125 persons, who were deported from Latvia. This is the greatest deportation in the history of Latvia. It directly affected 2.2% of the population, but indirectly very many more.
Contemporary recollections reveal that the deportation became an overwhelming experience not only for those actually deported but also for the classmates of the deported school children, and even for those who participated in the deportation process.
The film presents the experiences and feelings of the deportees. It introduces objects as deportation witnesses, and also reports how the deportation was planned and accomplished. The film is based on materials that are in the Audio-visual Archive of the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia.
Selection of documentary testimonials – Andris Feldmanis
Film length – 50 min
Language – Latvian
Subtitles – English
Video image aspect ratio – 4:3
Film produced 2009
