The 8th Annual New York Baltic Film Festival (NYBFF) presented by Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America returns this November with the best new films from the Baltic region! The festival kicks off on Wednesday, November 5, with the North American premiere of The Exalted (Cildenie, dir. Juris Kursietis, Latvia/Estonia/Greece, 2024). A talk with lead actor Juris Žagars follows the screening. The film will re-screen on Thursday, November 6, also with a talk by Žagars.

In this exquisite thriller exploring the boundaries of loyalty and greed, Anna (Johanna Wokalek), is an internationally renowned organist whose partner Andris (Juris Zagars) a successful CEO, is suspected of corruption. As Anna proceeds with a lavish birthday party in the countryside, she must navigate a crumbling reputation, moral dilemmas, false accusations, and religious uncertainty. The restless handheld camera draws us into her emotional turmoil, as the foundation of her life collapses alongside her partner’s arrest.

Established Latvian director Juris Kursietis‘ return to cinema is deeply atmospheric and character-driven, deftly intertwining Anna’s professional life with her personal crisis. The Exalted presents  powerful commentary on loyalty, moral conflict, the weight of public perception and the intersection of personal and public turmoil.

“A bracing, sharp-toothed satire”—Wendy Id, ScreenDaily

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