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! On November 7, see the North American Premiere of the gripping historical miniseries The Mutiny (Dumpis, dir. Andrejs Ēķis, Latvia, 2024).
*Tonight’s in-person screening will include the first 4 episodes of the 7-part series; the full series will later be available virtually to all ticketholders. There will be a brief intermission between episodes 2 and 3. The screening will be followed by a film talk with producer Dita Cimermane.*
Based on the true story that inspired The Hunt for Red October, The Mutiny is set in 1975 Riga, where Soviet officer Valery Spagin has just been appointed Captain of the Third Rank to the Soviet naval ship Storozhevoy. He embraces the opportunity to serve his country and vows to uphold its communist ideals. But as Spagin and his family find themselves unwelcome among their new neighbors, he discovers widespread military abuse of power—forcing him to confront his own belief system. Facing mounting threats from a corrupt government, Spagin incites a riot aboard the ship, which soon becomes larger than intended. In fear of international disgrace, the Soviet authorities take drastic action.
Told from the perspective of both the Occupier and Occupied, The Mutiny is a harrowing story of humanity and justice in the twilight of a totalitarian regime. The seven-episode miniseries was showcased at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) in the “TV Beats Screening Day” program. It later won Best TV Series at the 2025 Lielais Kristaps Awards, Latvia’s National Film Awards, where it received nine nominations. (In Latvian with English subtitles)
“A call to action against the Russian totalitarian regime” – Annika Pham, Variety
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Andrejs Ēķis is a Latvian film director and producer. His most recent work, the high-end television mini-series Mutiny (2024), has received critical acclaim for its compelling storytelling and strong performances. Over the course of his career, Ēķis has directed nineteen films and series, establishing himself as one of Latvia’s most prolific filmmakers. In 2004, driven by the vision of building an ideal filmmaking location, he founded Cinevilla Studios – now the largest open-air backlot in Northern Europe – which serves as a hub for both Latvian and international productions. He is currently working on the post-production of the spy thriller Dark Border, scheduled to launch next year. Beyond his filmmaking, Ēķis is an active public voice who values engagement and the importance of cultural and social dialogue in politically significant times. Renowned for his energy and versatility, he is particularly passionate about working with actors and developing character-driven stories, ensuring his work resonates with audiences both in Latvia and abroad.
