Four White Shirts

Four White Shirts (Latvian: Četri balti krekli) or Breathe Deeply (Elpojiet dziļi) is a 1967 film directed by Rolands Kalniņš.[2] The film was prevented from being screened by Soviet censors for 20 years following its release.[3] In 2018, Four White Shirts was featured in the 2018 Cannes Classics program.[4][5][2]

Four White Shirts
Četri Balti Krekli
Directed byRolands Kalniņš
Written byGunārs Priede (play)
Produced byGeorgs Blūmentāls
StarringUldis Pūcītis
Dina Kuple
Līga Liepiņa
CinematographyMiks Zvirbulis
Edited byZigrīda Geistarte
Music byImants Kalniņš[1]
Production
company
Release date
1967
Running time
73 minutes
CountrySoviet Union (Latvian SSR)
LanguageLatvian

Plot

The film centers around a telephone repairman named Cēzars Kalniņš, who writes music for his friend's rock band “Optimisti” (The Optimists). Culture worker Anita Sondore reports Kalniņš’ lyrics to the authorities due to their criticism of prevalent social values, leading to conflicts between Kalniņš, his bandmates, and the Soviet authorities.[6][7] 

Cast

Music

The film's music was written by Imants Kalniņš and lyrics by the poet Māris Čaklais. The music was sung by actors Līga Liepiņa, Pauls Butkevičs, and Juris Strenga.[8] Despite the film being informally banned for twenty years, many of the songs including “Dziesma par Napoleonu” started being played by Kalniņš’ band Menuets and became well-known hits.[6] In 2014, music publisher ''Upe tt'' released Māris Čaklais' book ''Stikla saksofonists'' with two CDs. On the first CD, the writer reads his poetry, and the second CD includes original music from the movie. This is not only the film's first full-length movie soundtrack, but also the first music album. The tracks include:

  1. Viņi dejoja vienu vasaru
  2. Dziesma par krekliem. 1. variants
  3. Dziesma par Napoleonu
  4. Šeiks
  5. Dzeguzes balss
  6. Es esmu bagāts
  7. Pirmā pīle
  8. Dziesma par krekliem. 2. variants
  9. Cik mēs viens par otru zinām

Censorship and release

The film's screening was restricted by Soviet authorities for nearly twenty years after its original premiere due to its controversial stance on censorship, not becoming widely shown until 1987.[9] In 2018, the film was digitally restored and shown at the Cannes Film Festival by director Rolands Kalniņš in the Buñuel Hall of the Festival Castle.[4]

Legacy

The film has been included into the Latvian Culture Canon as one of 99 elements in recognition of its historical and cultural value, one of just twelve films.[6]

References
  1. Trasca, Tristan (2 June 2016). "Cetri balti krekli, l'hyme letton à la liberté". Hajde (in French). Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  2. "Our very own Godard: Rolands Kalniņš' Four White Shirts". Public Broadcasting of Latvia. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  3. Kalnačs, Benedikts. "Soviet censorship and Latvian drama" (PDF). Colloquia (17): 109–121. ISSN 1822-3737. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  4. "Heartfelt reception of classic Latvian film at Cannes". Public Broadcasting of Latvia. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  5. Malinjod, Eugénie (15 May 2018). "Four white shirts: interview with Rolands Kalniņš". Cannes Film Festival. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  6. Birzulis, Filips. "Film "Four White Shirts" ("Breathe Deeply"), 1967, by Director Rolands Kalniņš (1922)". Latvian Culture Canon. Retrieved 2020-02-29.
  7. eng.lsm.lv; Konste, Anete (6 March 2021). "Latvian culture 101: Why everyone loves the film 'Four White Shirts'". eng.lsm.lv. Public Broadcasting of Latvia. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
  8. "#78 Māris Čaklais: "Stikla Saksofonists"/ Mūzika no k/f "Elpojiet Dziļi" (1967/2014)". LATVIJAS SABIEDRISKIE MEDIJI. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 2020-02-29.
  9. "Filmas "Četri balti krekli" piecdesmitgadē rādīs tās atjaunoto versiju". LA.LV (in Latvian). Retrieved 2020-02-29.


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