Genre: documentary
Country: Latvia
Director: Pauls Dombrovskis
Producer: Ilze Falkovska
Runtime: 1h 23min
Language: Latvian, English (with English subtitles)
Synopsis:
In the heart of Toronto’s vibrant multicultural landscape, a dedicated group of Canadian Latvian immigrants comes together to preserve the traditions of their ancestors through the art of folk dance. Known as “Daugaviņa,” this close-knit community of dancers spans multiple generations, each member driven by a shared passion for their cultural heritage.
As they prepare for the journey of a lifetime—to perform at the 150th Latvian Nationwide Song and Dance Festival in Riga, Latvia—they are not just rehearsing steps, but reconnecting with the rhythms of their roots. The festival, one of the largest such events in the world, drawing almost three times more participants than Olympic Games, represents a homecoming for many, and a chance to immerse themselves in the culture their forebears cherished.
"More Than a Dance" explores the history of the Latvian diaspora’s determined efforts to preserve their culture during the Russian occupation of Latvia in the 1960s. Fearing that Soviet rule would erase Latvian folk traditions and cultural identity, the diaspora fought to keep these traditions alive from afar, while also striving to shatter the Iron Curtain from the outside. Today, their children, the current dancers of the “Daugaviņa” group continue this legacy, try not to fade these efforts, and keep their ancestor connection alive in one of the world’s great global melting pots—Toronto, Canada. The documentary chronicles this ongoing struggle alongside the dancers' transformative journey, exploring how the power of tradition transcends borders and can there be two homes? As the dancers take the stage in Riga, they realize that their journey is about more than just a performance; it’s about honoring their past, celebrating their present, and forging a cultural legacy for the future.
With stunning visuals and heartfelt storytelling, "More Than a Dance" is a moving tribute to the enduring power of cultural identity and the universal desire to find one’s place in the world.
UK premiere & the opening film of LBFF'24.
