Upcoming Events
New York Baltic Film Festival WHAT WOULD YOU TAKE? Film Screening
WHAT WOULD YOU TAKE? (Mille Sina võtaksid?)Heilika Pikkov, Estonia, 202323 minutes. In Ukrainian, English, Russian with English subtitlesHome. Your home. Your place. Your memories. Your belongings. In the blink of eye, it's gone. 'What Would You Take' is a documentary narrative portraits from Ukrain... [ + ]ian refugees, the largest displacement of people in Europe since the Second World War.In-Person Screening: Thursday, November 9, 6:30 pmThe film screening will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Andrew Horodysky (Ukrainian Institute of America) with director Heilika Pikkov, painter Lesia Khomenko, and art historian and curator Katherine Carl and will conclude with a concert by Estonian musician Maria Faust.$10 from each screening ticket will be donated to the Ukrainian war humanitarian relief effort.
Event admission varies by program.
There is a suggested donation for admission to exhibitions in the third and fourth-floor galleries: $3.00 general public; $2.00 students and senior citizens; free for ASF members. There are fees for films, concerts, and some other programs.
New York Baltic Film Festival- MACHINA FAUST- Film Screening
MACHINA FAUST (Machina Faust) Kaupo Kruusiauk, Estonia, 202377 minutes. In Estonian with English SubtitlesNorth American PremiereMachina Faust offers an unfiltered glimpse into the life of Maria Faust, an Estonian saxophonist, composer, and feminist, that delves into the whirlwind of her unbrid... [ + ]led creativity and fearless artistry. The film captures her dynamic journey over three years, highlighting the creation of works centered on women's struggles, while also shedding light on her own complicated relationship with musician Ned Ferm. Despite her resilience and artistic accomplishments, Faust's personal life is candidly laid bare, revealing her battles with trauma, domestic violence, and the challenges faced by women in music and society.Directed by Kaupo Kruusiauk (Sandra Gets a Job, NYBFF2022), Machina Faust renders an authentic and raw portrayal of Maria Faust's life. The documentary goes beyond her musical achievements, showcasing the personal struggles and complexities that shape her identity. Faust's openness about her experiences, including abuse and inequality, adds a powerful layer of authenticity to the film, making her a relatable and inspiring figure for audiences. Through compelling storytelling, the film sheds light on the undercurrents of the music industry and the societal hurdles that women, including creative artists like Faust, continue to navigate.Maria Faust will present a Q&A following the screening of the film.
Event admission varies by program.
There is a suggested donation for admission to exhibitions in the third and fourth-floor galleries: $3.00 general public; $2.00 students and senior citizens; free for ASF members. There are fees for films, concerts, and some other programs.
New York Baltic Film Festival- COLLECTIVE- International Premiere
COLLECTIVE (Kolektīvs)Aik Karapetian, Edgars Kaupers, Papa Chi, Oskars Rupenheits, Marta Elīna Martinsone, Mārtiņš Grauds, Latvia, 202398 minutes. In Latvian with English subtitles.International PremiereCollective is a film anthology that revolves around the participants of the Latvian Song an... [ + ]d Dance Festival, a cherished cultural tradition thriving in the Baltic states. Drawing inspiration from real-life events, this anthology features six directors, chosen for their distinctively different artistic styles and body of work.Fervor (Degsme, dir: Aik Karapetian) crafts a mystical tale of sacrifice within a dance ensemble. Castle of Light (Gaismas Pils dir: Edgars Kaupers) presents a gripping and one-of-a-kind perspective on the historic events of 1985, focusing on the bravery of countless choir singers. Manwhore and Fish (Maukurs un zivs, dir: Papa Chi) slightly farcical film challenges the tradition of choirs “buying” good voices, while Frolova's Method (Frolovas metode, dir: Oskars Rupenheits) takes a delightful and humorous approach, exploring the quirky world of a young, nervous choir conductor with shaking hands. Pigs in Buckwheat (Cūkas driķos, dir: Marta Elīna Martinsone) offers a fresh and empathic view on what happens behind the scenes of the main dance concert. In the vibrant and colorful Latvian scenery, Kristīne (dir: Mārtiņš Grauds) musical paints a tale of jealousy and rivalry between two choir collectives.Representatives of the anthology will present a Q&A following the screening.
Event admission varies by program.
There is a suggested donation for admission to exhibitions in the third and fourth-floor galleries: $3.00 general public; $2.00 students and senior citizens; free for ASF members. There are fees for films, concerts, and some other programs.
New York Baltic Film Festival- REMEMBER TO BLINK- Film Screening
REMEMBER TO BLINK (Per arti)Austėja Urbaitė, Lithuania , 2022109 minutes, In Lithuanian, French with English subtitlesNorth American PremiereIn this captivating drama, French couple Leon (Arthur Igual) and Jacqueline (Anne Azoulay), who live in a beautiful house in the French mountains, have adopted... [ + ] two Lithuanian children. Seeking to ease the transition, they enlist the help of Gabriele (Dovile Kundrotaite), a young Lithuanian student, to serve as an interpreter and nanny. When the children arrive, the idyllic façade of the new family arrangement gives way to underlying tensions and cultural clashes. Hints of the couple's unfamiliarity with their adopted children's origins emerge, leading to conflicts and misunderstandings, and unearths the complexities of parenthood and culture. Director Austėja Urbaitė's debut is a thought-provoking exploration of the subtle dynamics of what it means to become a family. The film skillfully unveils the characters' multifaceted and irrational traits, weaving a tapestry of relationships that question the boundaries of culture and identity. Urbaitė deftly employs unpredictability of her characters with nuanced performances to maintain viewer engagement, while cinematographer Julius Sičiūnas juxtaposes the serene natural surroundings with the mounting tension within the confined household. The film exposes a form of "neo-colonialism", reflecting broader cultural conflicts and revealing the intricacies of human behavior in the face of change and unfamiliarity.
Event admission varies by program.
There is a suggested donation for admission to exhibitions in the third and fourth-floor galleries: $3.00 general public; $2.00 students and senior citizens; free for ASF members. There are fees for films, concerts, and some other programs.
New York Baltic Film Festival- MELCHIOR THE APOTHECARY Film Screening
MELCHIOR THE APOTHECARY: THE EXECUTIONER'S DAUGHTER (Apteeker Melchior. Timuka tütar)Elmo Nüganen, Estonia/Germany/Latvia/Lithuania, 202298 minutes, In Estonian with English subtitlesNorth American PremiereThe latest film in the medieval trilogy, Melchior the Apothecary: The Executioner's Daughter, ... [ + ]takes an even darker and more sinister turn. When Keterlyn (Maarja Johanna Mägi), witnesses a brutal attack and rescues an unknown young man who has lost his memory, their lives become entangled in a web of mysteries that extend deep into the heart of Tallinn. Melchior (Märten Metsaviir) works to uncover the victim's identity and the motive behind the assault becoming unwittingly embroiled in the sinister activities of the night brotherhood, a clandestine group with chilling secrets. Adding to the tension, the arrival of a papal envoy, a ruthless witch-hunter, casts a shadow over the city. As Melchior and Keterlyn strive to piece together the puzzle, they find themselves in a race against time, where the boundaries between truth and deception blur, and danger lurks around every corner. The film weaves together historical drama and enigmatic intrigue, delivering a gripping cinematic experience that brings the beloved characters and thrilling events of the Apothecary Melchior novels to life, while introducing new and exciting twists and turns that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.Actress Maarja Johanna Mägi will present a Q&A following the screeningThe first two films, Melchior the Apothecary (Apteeker Melchior, 2022) and The Ghost (Viirastus, 2022), will be available to stream virtually beginning November 10.
Event admission varies by program.
There is a suggested donation for admission to exhibitions in the third and fourth-floor galleries: $3.00 general public; $2.00 students and senior citizens; free for ASF members. There are fees for films, concerts, and some other programs.