Director: Janis Nords | Latvia | Fiction | 2013 | 83 mins
Film source: New Europa Films
Raimonds is basically a good kid. He plays saxophone in the school band. He rides his kickboard around town with friends. He tries to make his busy obstetrician mother proud. But, like any 12-year-old, he can’t entirely avoid a little mischief. One day, after getting in trouble for teasing a girl in his class, he decides to cover up the disciplinary report. A simple lie soon sets off a spiral of deception and questionable actions that puts Raimonds into an increasingly difficult ethical dilemma. Janis Nords’ highly acclaimed drama perfectly captures the charged intensity at play in the best coming-of-age stories, and the endearing central performance by newcomer Kristofers Konovalovs grounds the film with a captivating authenticity.