The film is a reflection on this historical landmark through the prism of subjective and private memories shown through the young people in the film.
Here are some key facts and historical context:
The Declaration “On the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia” was adopted on 4 May 1990. The USSR’s central authority did not recognise Latvia’s Declaration of Independence.
The next day, the opponents of Latvia’s independence attempted to seize the building of the Parliament by force.
Despite Gorbachev’s promises not to use violent methods to change power in the Baltics, Lithuania and Latvia, in January 1991, the USSR forces attacked local authorities and strategic sites. In Latvia, the situation escalated, reaching its peak between January 14-20.
Active involvement of the society by blocking access to the public administration institutions and objects of national significance, like national TV & radio HQ, the Parliament building and other sites, broke the attempt to overthrow the legitimate power.
The barricades, guarded by unarmed civilians, were quickly created around these objects, and people flowed into the capitals of the Baltic states to protect the strategic sites against the Soviets who wanted to crush the Baltic nations’ independence drive.
Seven people lost their lives on 20 January 1991, the darkest day of the month-long struggle.
The broad public involvement prevented the most serious attempt of that time to overthrow the legally elected government.
Despite the international community’s focus on the war in Kuwait and Iraq at that time, the Western countries supported the Baltic states and warned the USSR about any further escalation of violence in the Baltic capitals.
The USSR recognised the independence of the three Baltic States only when it actually collapsed after the August 1991 coup in Moscow.
