Discuss Under the Sun
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Reported Problem for Under the Sun
posted by marySTAFFMOD on October 19, 2021 at 10:36 AM
Item: Under the Sun
Language: en-US
Type of Problem: Incorrect_content
Extra Details: Latvia is one of the production countries. For proof, see the film's listing on festival websites (e.g., Artdocfest is a festival that's curated by Mansky, the director, himself: https://artdocfest.com/en/movie/v_luchah_solnca_2015_106/), or the director's own website: http://manski-doc.com/en/films/under-the-sun (see flags in between the screening info and "Authors"). Please let me know should you need any further info. Thanks!
Reply by Banana
on December 12, 2021 at 10:57 PM
Hi, same situation as with North Korea.
Reply by mary
on December 13, 2021 at 9:19 AM
Hi Banana, thanks for looking into this.
The situation is actually quite different. In regards to N. Korea - it's an interesting story. The country was initially on board to create this doc as a collaboration, they even wrote the script and hoped this project would work as promotion of their regime. When the film was shot and turned out not exactly as the North Korean regime had hoped, they withdrew any support and connection to the film, which is why no institution/company from the North Korean side is listed.
In regards to Latvia, it's a very different and a lot more boring story :) The director, Mansky, is Ukrainian/Russian by nationality, but in 2014 he moved to Latvia and relocated his company (Vertov Studio) to Latvia where also some of the funding for his films comes from. The film was also awarded the national film prize (Lielais Kristaps) for the best Latvian documentary.
Reply by Banana
on December 13, 2021 at 9:36 PM
Do you have proof the Vertov was relocated to Latvia?
Reply by mary
on December 14, 2021 at 8:30 AM
Hi Banana,
The company actually is just Mansky himself (plus perhaps his wife as producer) - it's a small one!
In terms of proof, here's the registration of Vertov in the company register of Latvia in early 2015 (the free version of the register has limited info available, but you can see the Activity code (NACE) - Motion picture, video and television programme production activities. "Sabiedrība ar ierobežotu atbildību" means "limited company"). Alternatively, you can see "Vertov" being referred to as Latvian or Riga-based company, eg, here, or in an interview with the director here. I can google more references if needed, but these are the first ones I came across in English, hopefully they suffice.
I understand it's tricky to figure this all out, because it looks like the website that's listed on TMDb hasn't been updated since 2014! He seems to have moved on to using this website instead.
Reply by Banana
on December 14, 2021 at 8:18 PM
This was so so helpful, thanks @madamborges ! I added both Vertov SIA as a production company and Latvia as a production country.