The Republic of Latvia is the 19th biggest European country covering 64635 km2. There are 2,5 million inhabitants. Latvia was established in 1918.
In 1940, due to the criminal "Molotov’s Ribentrop’s" agreement, the communistic Russia (back then called the Soviet Union), invaded Latvia. As the result, Latvia disappeared from the map of Europe. Only in 1991, as the communist empire collapsed, Latvia regained its independence and the Republic of Latvia was re-established. Latvians call this process "the second awakening".
Two Latvian filmmakers, film director and cameraman
Andris Slapins and cameraman Gvido Zvaigzne lost their lives in the fight for independence. Owing to the film materials made by film director and cameraman Juris Podnieks and Aleksands Demcenko, the world got to know the dual politics of Michael Gorbachev. Information provided by the two persons eliminated further streams of blood in the Baltic region. The above mentioned and many other persons belong to the famous Latvian documentary filmmakers school.
The very beginning of cinema in Latvia is bound with the name of famous inhabitant of Riga
Sergejs Eizensteins who directed the world-known film "Battleship Potjomkin" and with Eduards Tisse, the cameraman of this film. Film critics consider the film "Battleship Potjomkin" one of the ten best films of all the times and all the nations.
Presently there are several dozens of
film studios in Latvia. Filmmakers that have gained high approval in many international film festivals, film directors, cameramen, designers, composers and actors are working on films and video films. Script writers and film producers are offering a number of effective film projects. Latvian filmmakers and more than 25 production companies are open for cooperation.
Total population 2005:
2 306 600
Population in the capital (Riga):
735 241
Number of households, 2004:
896 916
Government:
parliamentary democracy
Currency:
16.05.2005
LVL (Lats)
1 USD=0,555LVL 1 EUR=0,7028 LVL
Gross Domestic Product / GDP 2003
9 163 174 000 EUR
GDP per capita 2003:
3 941 EUR
Standard VAT rate:
21 %
VAT for cinema tickets:
5%
Personal income tax rate:
25%
Inflation Rate
16%
Average monthly income:
278 EUR
Gross Box Office 2004:
4 840 660
Number of admissions 2004:
1 642 438
Admissions per capita:
0.71
Annual state support for film industry 2005:
LVL 1 668 000 (EUR 2 417 676)
Number of screens 2004:
67
Number of screening places 2004:
50

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