Rocks in My Pockets

Latvia, the late 1920’s. Anna, a young woman, pretty and educated, falls in love with an adventurous entrepreneur 30 years her senior. But with marriage comes great jealousy, and the entrepreneur hides Anna away in the forest, far from other men, where she bears him eight children. The Great Depression hits them hard. Then Latvia is overrun with invasions by the Soviets, then the Nazis, then the Soviets once again. Anna is a pillar of strength, defying the hardships, raising her young, teaching them survival secrets of the forest. But something inside her is terribly wrong.

Years later, Signe, a young artist, asks her father, “How did my grandmother die?” Her father is evasive. His seven siblings are evasive, as well. Signe strongly suspects that Anna committed suicide. Clues of mental illness had always leaked through the family stories. Signe suffers from depression herself. Three of her cousins, all women, battle madness as well. Could there be a link between Anna and the four granddaughters?

Defying the stigma that silences so many, Signe takes us on a journey deep into her own depression where she looks to confront the family demons. But, unlike her cousins, Signe finds an assuring guide in animation and art. (Rocks in My Pockets press kit)

Directed by, script, animation and cast: Signe Baumane; Editing: Wendy Cong Zhao; Music: Kristian Sensini; Sound: Weston Fonger; Producer: Signe Baumane; Co-producer: Sturgis Warner; Production: Rock in My Pockets, Locomotive Productions; Distribution: Association for Reanimation of Storytelling 2 reels.

Organisation: Association for reanimation of storytelling 2 reels; In collaboration with: Kinodvor, City of Women.

In English with Slovenian subtitles.

Film Rocks in My Pockets will be followed by a discussion with the film’s writer and director Signe Baumane.

Tickets: 5,3 €, 4,5 € (pensioners, students), 7,5 € (double bill Rocks in My Pockets and Shorts).