Documentary film
Let's roll!
We are headed into the final stretch of our feature documentary on the antics of North American Latvian youth in the 1980s, during the last years of the Cold War – from chaining themselves to the Russian Embassy, to organizing an entire cruise ship treading the Soviet border in the Baltic Sea – generating headlines when few could even find Latvia on a map.
The main hero is Juris Bļodnieks’ old Chrysler Valiant “Slant Six” that has been in storage for 25 years: painted with anti-Soviet slogans such as “Nyet, nyet Soviet!” and “Go(rbachev) to hell!”. A generation of US Latvians remembers the car appearing in demonstrations across North America. Day to day, while driving around his home state of New Jersey, Juris used the car to further the seemingly hopeless task – to free an illegally occupied Latvia.
Join us! Although we already have secured generous funding from various organizations and foundations, we still need $15,000 to finish the film. The “Latvians Abroad – museum and research centre” and Mara Pelecis invite you to take part in creating this documentary, and to help get “Valiant!” across the finish line!
About us
The “Latvians Abroad – museum and research centre” is an NGO, founded in 2007, with an office, collection and staff in Rīga, Latvia and active board members from Latvia and the US. The museum’s collection (17,000 items) is on long-term loan to the National Library of Latvia and is stored in the new building of the National Library in the heart of Rīga. Over the years the museum has created a number of exhibitions, education projects, films and publications, including the book “Nyet Nyet Soviet: tales of Latvian political demonstrations in exile” (published in Latvian) in 2018. For more information see the museum’s webpage www.lapamuzejs.lv or Facebook page @Latvians Abroad.
Māra Pelēce, director of “Valiant!” lives and works in Minneapolis, USA. Māra has worked as a documentary film director for 20 years, creating documentaries about the theme of exiled Latvians: “Between Latvias”, “Let’s Meet in Gaŗezers!”, the series of short films “Trimda Dimd”. Māras contribution to the fight against Soviet occupation began in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she is now helping organize the Latvian Song festival in 2022 – and where the US premiere of “Valiant!” will take place. As a teenager Māra, the same as many other US Latvian teenagers, cruised around their American schools wearing anti-soviet slogans and collecting signatures against soviet occupation from her American school mates.
Marianna Auliciems – producer and co-scriptwriter for the documentary “Valiant!” is director of the “Latvians Abroad – museum and research centre”. Growing up in Brisbane, Australia, she participated in a number of anti-soviet demonstrations, including the time her entire class of the Latvian Summer High School attended a German beer festival near Adelaide dressed in “Nyet Nyet Soviet” t-shirts.
Marianna in the front row on her knees, third from left
Māra dressed as dissident Lidija Lasmane-Doroņina at a demonstration in Minneapolis in the 1980s
F.A.Q.
Q: What is the planned date for the premiere?
A: The premiere in Latvia is planned for autumn 2021, date to be announced. The film will open for audiences in the US on 1 July 2022, at the Song Festival in St. Paul, Minnesota!
Q: Will the film be in Latvian or English?
A: The film will be in Latvian with English subtitles.
Q: When can I expect my production still/bumper sticker/book/t shirt?
A: Christmas 2020, if you donate by December 1st.
Q: What if I want to donate another amount?
A: Please contact us, we will work with you!
Q: What if I change my mind and want to donate more later?
A: Please contact us, we will work with you!
Q: What will my donation pay for?
A: Your donation will contribute to the editing and finishing the film. Although we already have secured generous funding from various organizations and foundations, we still need $15,000 to finish the film and cover distribution costs – to participate in film festivals and of course, to organize screenings in Latvia.
Q: What if you raise more than the $15,000 target?
A: If we raise more than $15,000, donations will continue to be used to promote and distribute the film, for example, organizing free screenings throughout Latvia in rural schools and libraries.
Short film "Valiant!"
This short film contains footage that will be included in the full-length documentary “Valiant!”. This 9-minute history of demonstrations outside Latvia also introduces Juris Bļodnieks’ car, the Chrysler Valiant “Slant Six”. The short film was prsented at the launch of the publication “Nyet, Nyet Soviet! Stories about Latvian political demonstrations in exile” in 2018.
Support us with your donation!
You can pay by credit card in a secure environment online (payment in $ USD).
After receiving the donation, we will email you to arrange the delivery of your gift.
Tune up!
$25
Name in the film credits and on website, social media shout out
Invitation to the "Piragi Premiere Party" (Riga, Autumn 2021) or the "Pre-opening Breakfast with Bagels" (2022. Latvian Song & Dance Festival, St. Paul, Minnesota)
Rev it up!
$55
Name in the film credits and on website, social media shout out
Invitation to the "Piragi Premiere Party" (Riga, Autumn 2021) or the "Pre-opening Breakfast with Bagels" (2022. Latvian Song & Dance Festival, St. Paul, Minnesota)
Valiant “swag” – bumper sticker and buttons
Cruising!
$95
Name in the film credits and on website, social media shout out
Invitation to the "Piragi Premiere Party" (Riga, Autumn 2021) or the "Pre-opening Breakfast with Bagels" (2022. Latvian Song & Dance Festival, St. Paul, Minnesota)
Valiant “swag” – bumper sticker and buttons
Copy of the film - digital download
Touring
$245
Name in the film credits and on website, social media shout out
Invitation to the "Piragi Premiere Party" (Riga, Autumn 2021) or the "Pre-opening Breakfast with Bagels" (2022. Latvian Song & Dance Festival, St. Paul, Minnesota)
Valiant “swag” – bumper sticker and buttons
Copy of the film - digital download
Re-issue Nyet Nyet Soviet t-shirt
Sponsor
$545
Name in the film credits and on website, social media shout out
Invitation to the "Piragi Premiere Party" (Riga, Autumn 2021) or the "Pre-opening Breakfast with Bagels" (2022. Latvian Song & Dance Festival, St. Paul, Minnesota)
Valiant “swag” – bumper sticker and buttons
Copy of the film - digital download
Re-issue Nyet Nyet Soviet t-shirt
Your 1980s photo (with car or demonstration or at Latvian event) included in film end credits
Slant Six Sponsor
$1000
Special mention in "Main Sponsors" in the film credits and on website, social media shout out
Invitation to the "Piragi Premiere Party" (Riga, Autumn 2021) or the "Pre-opening Breakfast with Bagels" (2022. Latvian Song & Dance Festival, St. Paul, Minnesota)
Valiant “swag” – bumper sticker and buttons
Copy of the film - digital download
Re-issue Nyet Nyet Soviet t-shirt
Your 1980s photo (with car or demonstration or at Latvian event) included in film end credits
Credit on print materials (film poster, DVD)
Co-producer
$2500
Special mention in "Main Sponsors" in the film credits and on website, social media shout out
Invitation to the "Piragi Premiere Party" (Riga, Autumn 2021) or the "Pre-opening Breakfast with Bagels" (2022. Latvian Song & Dance Festival, St. Paul, Minnesota)
Valiant “swag” – bumper sticker and buttons
Copy of the film - digital download
Re-issue Nyet Nyet Soviet t-shirt
Your 1980s photo (with car or demonstration or at Latvian event) included in film end credits
Co-producer credit on print materials
Executive producer
$5000
Special mention in "Main Sponsors" in the film credits and on website, social media shout out
Invitation to the "Piragi Premiere Party" (Riga, Autumn 2021) or the "Pre-opening Breakfast with Bagels" (2022. Latvian Song & Dance Festival, St. Paul, Minnesota)
Valiant “swag” – bumper sticker and buttons
Copy of the film - digital download
Re-issue Nyet Nyet Soviet t-shirt
Your 1980s photo (with car or demonstration or at Latvian event) included in film end credits
Executive producer credit on print materials
Sponsors
