THE WHITE HELICOPTER

Alvis Hermanis

 

Drama

Directed by  Alvis Hermanis

Sound designer  Ernests Ansons

Production and costume designer   Kristīne Jurjāne

Photographer   Andrejs Strokins

 

Durations: 107 minutes

 

Cast:

Jozef Ratzinger / Pope Benedict XVI MIKHAIL BARYSHNIKOV

Monsignor Georg KASPARS ZNOTIŅŠ

Sister Tabiana GUNA ZARIŅA

Sister Regina REGĪNA RAZUMA

Swiss guards JĀNIS GRŪTUPS, RITVARS LOGINS

 

SYNOPSIS

In February 2013, the world experienced a shock – Catholic Pope Benedict XVI resigned, making him the first Pope to do so in 600 years. Reasons for his resignation are still unknown and secretive. In light of moral and ethical upheavals within the Catholic Church, and the unique challenges of the 21st century, Ratzinger’s cited reason of declining health raises more questions than gives answers. "The White Helicopter", a film starring Mikhail Baryshnikov presents a new interpretation of the final day before Pope Benedict’s historic resignation.

 

LOGLINE

The film is based on true events leading up to the final day of the historical resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.

 

Press:

Mikhail Baryshnikov’s face, in the role of Catholic Pope Benedict XVI, or Joseph Ratzinger, is like a map. In the sensitive, frequent close-ups by cinematographer Andrejs Rudzāts, this face is etched with roads, rivers, and ravines – traces of time, emotion, and thought, which are as captivating to follow as the most dramatic plot twists. The character’s eyes redden as he reflects on what has been done and what has not. The outstanding dancer and actor senses the camera, dances with it (twice quite literally). Thanks to him, the story of the Pope – who, for the first time in the last 600 years, in 2013, left his post not in a coffin but absolutely, even vibrantly alive and in full possession of his faculties – is never monotonous or boring. The vibrant intellectual process unfolding in the film demands focus and encourages contemplation. The Pope’s dialogue with his secretary, Georg Gänswein, portrayed by Kaspars Znotiņš, prompts the viewer to internally oppose or agree with the melancholic reflections on the decline of Europe.

Newspaper "Kultūra diena", author Henrieta Verhoustinska (2024)

 

-          - 20% Discount During the First 10 Days of Ticket Sales

 During the Presale Period, July 9 - 11, TBC Concept Visa debit cardholders will receive an exclusive 20% discount on ticket purchases.

 

 For the following 7 days (July 12–18), tickets will be available to all cardholders, however, the 20% discount will remain valid only for TBC Concept Visa cardholders.