ANSIS EPNERS’ FILM “ALIVE”: FROM DOCUMENTARY TO FICTION
ANSIS EPNERS’ FILM “ALIVE”: FROM DOCUMENTARY TO FICTION

Summary/Abstract: The first short documentary “Alive” (Dzīvs, 1970) is an important signifier of Latvian director Ansis Epners’ (1937–2003) oeuvre both in terms of his approach to documentary film practice, and growing interest in fiction filmmaking. The film “Alive” and later idea to develop a full-length fiction film based on its main character demonstrate Epners’ unconventional expression of both kinds of filmmaking, which was received with a mixed response at the time. Epners used performative elements in the documentary, and included real-life character playing himself in the planned fiction film, challenging the assumptions and conventions of filmmaking practices in Latvia at that time.

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