Džemma

Directed by Laima Žurgina

A film-monologue whose main character is painter Džemma Skulme (1925-2019) – a strong and socially active personality, a beautiful and intelligent woman. At the time of filming, Džemma held all possible titles of the Soviet nomenclature – People's Artist of the Latvian SSR, Chairwoman of the Board of the Artists' Union of the Latvian SSR, Deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, Corresponding Member of the USSR Academy of Arts – but the filmmakers see through this official veneer and see a woman who paints, loves, and actively participates in life. All the events of the Awakening are still ahead, Džemma Skulme's invaluable place in the history of Latvia's new era is only just beginning to emerge, and here we see how it all began.