Latvia: I Remember Riga 1998
Distributed by Chip Taylor Communications, 2 East View Drive, Derry, NH 03038-4812; 800-876-CHIP (2447)
Produced by Quin Mathews
Director n/a
VHS, color, 25 min.
K-6 to Adult
Music
Date Entered: 11/09/2018
Reviewed by Charles Burkart, Head, Audiovisual Library, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WVConductor, Arkady Fomin ( a former resident of communist Latvia ) returns to post Soviet Riga, Latvia with some of his music students from Dallas to give a concert with the Latvian Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. Personal reminiscences about Riga by Fomin form the basis of this documentary's narration. Beautiful winter scenes of the city of Riga are juxtaposed with student concert performances of Mozart and Vivaldi.
Despite the professional veneer of this video, I was disappointed by this production. I found the length of this film far too short. Too many questions remained unanswered. How did Mr. Fomin escape from Latvia? How was his father saved from the Holocaust? Why don't we hear more about his interesting family background? I would have also liked more information about the history of Latvia and Riga in particular.
Sound quality was occasionally distorted and the pictures seemed initially grainy. However, the video's overall cinematography was polished and professional. Editing was always interesting and fast paced. Unfortunately, good editing and beautiful images alone do not a documentary make!
Although Latvia: I Remember Rigahad good intentions and colorful scenery, there is just not enough educational content to sustain it.. While I enjoyed the classical music and the beauty of Riga, the video was far too vague and unfocused to be recommended.