I didn’t know that Latvians know how to make such special effects! – after a family adventure film Bum! fourteen-year-old actor Adrian Petrovic shares his first impressions of the viewing. Film studios on big screens all over Latvia Picture House the proposed movie filled with friendship and magic will be released on November 3. Feature film Bum! is the story of seventh-grade student skateboarder Hugo, who gains superpowers after an unfortunate fall (the bruised and bleeding nose puts this movie in the “7+” category).
Known as a nerd among his classmates, the boy instantly becomes the most popular guy in school, but with time he realizes that being the center of attention does not mean happiness. Sudden fame puts a strain on Hugo’s relationship with his best friend Tom, and he soon has to choose between status and friendship. The directors of this film are Marta Selecka and Andra Dorš. They are already beloved children’s series There are things and Amy and Roo creators, and previous experience has helped to understand the interests of children and young people: what they like, what moves them.
Fee for school time
“This project was our desire to address elementary school students and say: ‘You are important to us!’, because few feature films are made for them, and at the same time it is a tribute to our school days, because we ourselves are former classmates,” says Marta Dorš about her collaboration with Andra Dorš Selecka. She adds that the generation portrayed in the film is completely different from their generation – with technology and other types of activities that can be seen on the screen as well. Today’s teenagers often live on their phone screens: while they click and scroll, friendships and real adventures are often missed.
“No colas and phones on the set” – this was said to be the main condition that the directors have learned from the festival taking place in Amsterdam Cinekid Festival in the organized master class for directors who work with children’s and youth films. To the main question of all parents, how they have managed to comply with this condition, the directors answer that it has been interesting for the children to get to know each other, to get into a creative, professional environment and to see what the director, cameraman, artist and other professionals are doing. “For example, what a ‘gaffer’ does,” says Andra Dorš and adds that the cameraman’s assistant has become the child’s best friend on the set.
Movies Bum! the directors are Andra Doršs and Marta Selecka – the beloved children’s series There are things and Amy and Roo creators. In the picture – together with cameraman Gati Grīnberga. Publicity photo
Jancha’s friends
One of the roles features the chameleon Janča. “You have to be smart with Janča and you have to know how to hold him in such a way that he doesn’t have any inconvenience,” reveals the actor of the main role, Adrians Petrovic, whose torn ends remind us that he comes from Kurzeme. Adrians Petrovics and Elīza Kļava, who played the role of Karla in the girls of the class, are locals – from Liepāja. Their best friend Tom is played by Riga native Dāvis Emils Ozols, for whom this is not his first encounter with cinema. He has voiced the character of Cimdins in the animated series Rags. Liene Sebre (Tuta in the series) also appears in episodic roles There are things), Artis Robežnieks (Boliņš in the series Amy and Roo), Ance Strazda, Rihards Zeleznevs, Gatis Maliks, as well as influencer Alishuksm, who plays Instagram a star.
In the movie Bum! there are signs of our times familiar to young people. Influencer Alishuksm is seen in a cameo, playing an Instagram star in the film. Publicity photo
Liepāja has become the main filming location with its houses and streets, as well as the 1st gymnasium, located in an expressive Art Nouveau architectural building and led by a responsive director, and the Liepāja Music, Art and Design High School, where the scenes of the talent show take place. Filming also took place in the Olaine skate park, where the weather was unlucky. “There, you had to wipe the ground with rags and dry it with hair dryers so that you wouldn’t see that it had rained,” laughs Marta Selecka, but those are the days that are best remembered.
Entering the Labyrinth
“We wanted to make a warm, nice and funny film – something that we ourselves liked as children,” emphasizes Andra Dorš, whose statement immediately raises the question of the favorite films of both directors during elementary school. “It was definitely Emil’s misdeeds,” admits Marta Selecka, mentioning the film classic for children created by director Varas Brasla based on Astrid Lindgren’s book. Andra Doršs also named Labyrinth and The endless story.
The film was made in 1986 Labyrinth introduced children and young people to the superstar English musician of the time, David Bowie, as Goblin King Jarrett and his music. Every era has its heroes and songs. In the movie Bum! it’s hip-hop, film music composed by Rudolph Macat, as well as a song by Laura Polence and Kārlis Vērdins Chemistry in conclusion. “I think children like to be spoken to in a language they understand, so we put in jokes, music, colors and similar codes meant for this generation,” says Marta Selecka. Bum! the author of the scenario is Lote Eglīte, the chief cameraman is Gatis Grīnbergs, the artist is Jānis Bijubens, the costume designer is Jūlija Volkinšteine.
A PARALLEL WORLD
The movie Boom! has been supported in the competition of the National Cinema Center with ERDF funding intended to mitigate the effects of the pandemic in the cinema industry. In total, it has supported nine projects – five feature films and four TV series, among them Soviet Jeans and Boarding in the Castle.
“With this program, we have started the direction that we need more feature films for children and young people, and we invite you to submit projects intended for this target audience in other competitions of the National Cinema Center as well,” says the representative of the National Cinema Center Inga Blese and reveals that two feature films have entered production this year for children and young people. Among them are director Aika Karapetjan’s Wizard’s Eye (Mistrus Media film studio) and director Linda Olte’s film Kad Tīne und Bīne met Juhana (Air Productions) based on the book Roņpils by writer Dāvids Vikmanis. Swamp story for motifs. “These are stories about parallel worlds where children and young people can act out reckless fantasies that real life does not allow,” says Inga Blese. That’s exactly what the family adventure film Bum! is about, which makes you think about which superpower you would like to choose for yourself. “Freezing,” says the actor of the main role, Adrians Petrovic. “The swap was also good, that you can exchange things (regardless of whether they were dresses or the number of Instagram followers – IA),” adds Dāvis Emils Ozols, actor of Hugo’s best friend Tom.
Buzz on Latvian Cinema: A Look at “Bum!”
Ah, Latvia! Land of lakes, forests, and… superpowers? Yes, you heard that right! The shiny, new family adventure film Bum! is bringing a sprinkle of magic and friendship to our screens this November 3. Fourteen-year-old Adrian Petrovic—who could probably out-squeak a mouse—plays skateboarder Hugo, who gets his superpowers via the classic “oops, I fell!” plot twist. Good thing that bleeding nose only lands you in the “7+” category! Who needs Marvel when you’ve got this?!
So, what happens when our nerdy hero becomes the school’s hottest commodity? Suddenly, he’s trading in his skateboards for popularity contests! However, fame, it turns out, is just as slippery as a banana peel. Friendship is put through the wringer, and Hugo learns that being the top dog comes with its own set of bite marks—sorry, Tom!
Directors Marta Selecka and Andra Dorš—twin wizards of children’s television, previously dazzling us with There are things and Amy and Roo—show us that just because kids are glued to their smartphones doesn’t mean their hearts aren’t yearning for meaningful connections. Parents will be overjoyed to learn that the film kicks off with a rich vein of nostalgia, addressing kids directly: “Hey, you’re important to us!” And like a kid left alone with a bag of candy, I’m here for it!
“No colas and phones on the set!” The best rule since “don’t talk to strangers” – especially if they’re trying to cull your attention away with TikTok dances!
On set, the directors whisked a gaggle of kids away from their phones, instead throwing them into a creative blender with directors, cameramen, and—wait for it—gaffers! Apparently, children were more interested in the behind-the-scenes magic than sipping soft drinks and scrolling through Instagram feeds. Imagine being a kid and saying, “I want to be best friends with my cameraman!” Talk about living the dream!
In a zany twist, one of Hugo’s pals is a chameleon named Janča. Yes, you heard correctly! Managing a chameleon while trying to act? That’s a superpower on its own. Adrian Petrovic must possess the skills of a cat whisperer, blending charm and finesse every time he grabs that little green guy. Also, can we just appreciate that several local talents from Liepāja—like Elīza Kļava and Dāvis Emils Ozols—are getting their moment in the sun? The more, the merrier, I say!
Liepāja serves as a glorious backdrop, complete with Art Nouveau architecture (because, eye candy, anyone?) and a skate park where wet weather required that they play “dodge-the-drips.” Marta eloquently remarked that “those are the days that are best remembered,” which is essentially film-speak for “we’ll never forget the time we almost slipped on a soggy skateboard.” Classic!
The film goes on to artfully weave in global influences with a touch of cheeky music choices to keep those little feet tapping. Expect the vibes of hip-hop interspersed with echoes of bygone hits like the legend David Bowie in Labyrinth. Because if there’s anything the kids need today, it’s a bit of classic quirkiness to balance out their Instagram and TikTok feeds!
Produced with some much-needed pandemic funding, Bum! aims to fill the cinema void for young audiences, proving that there’s plenty of room for whimsical parallel worlds where kids can unleash their wild imaginations. And honestly, isn’t that something the world needs more of? If the adventures of Bum! can coax even a fraction of under-screens kids into the real world, we’ve got a winner!
To sum up this bonanza of creativity with a pinch of nostalgia: Bum! isn’t just a film; it’s a delightful ride that reminds us to choose friendship over fame and perhaps consider the adorable chaos of childhood. “Freezing!” says Adrian Petrovic, when asked about his desired superpower. Because who needs intergalactic strength when you can simply have the power to pause, reflect, and maybe grab a snack or two?
After enjoying a family adventure film Bum!, fourteen-year-old actor Adrian Petrovic enthusiastically expressed his surprise at the impressive special effects crafted by Latvians. The film, which encapsulates themes of friendship and magic, is set to hit big screens across Latvia, including at the popular Picture House, on November 3. Bum! narrates the engaging journey of seventh-grade skateboarder Hugo, whose life changes dramatically when he unexpectedly gains superpowers following a calamitous fall, notably leaving him with a bruised and bleeding nose, which places this exciting film in the “7+” viewing category.
Initially perceived as a nerd by his classmates, Hugo rapidly ascends to the status of the school’s most popular student. However, as time passes, he realizes that stardom does not equate to personal happiness. The sudden surge in fame notably strains Hugo’s cherished friendship with his best friend Tom, forcing him into a tough choice between his newfound social status and meaningful connections. Esteemed directors Marta Selecka and Andra Dorš, renowned for their captivating children’s series There are things and Amy and Roo, have utilized their earlier experiences to grasp the interests and emotions of today’s youth, incorporating elements that resonate deeply with them.
“This project was our desire to engage elementary school students and communicate: ‘You are important to us!’,” Marta Dorš shares, reflecting on her collaboration with Andra Dorš Selecka. She emphasizes a noticeable lack of feature films tailored for younger audiences, while also acknowledging the film as a heartfelt homage to their own school days as former classmates. Marta expresses her awareness of the stark contrasts between their childhood experiences and the modern generation, which now navigates a world dominated by technology and digital distractions, potentially overlooking genuine friendships and real-life adventures.
The commitment to maintaining an engaging and interactive environment led to the strict guideline of “No colas and phones on the set,” a principle learned during a master class at the Cinekid Festival in Amsterdam. When posed with the common concern of parents on how this policy was enforced, the directors expressed how much joy the children found in getting to know each other and immersing themselves in a creative environment that showcased the roles of various professionals—directors, camera operators, and artists alike. “For instance, the assistant to the cameraman became the child’s best friend on set,” explains Andra Dorš.
Comments from Andra Dorš and Marta Selecka reveal their aspirations for the movie Bum!, emphasizing their objective to create a warm, fun, and humorous film that reflects the types of stories they cherished as children. When asked about their favorite childhood films, Marta cited the classic Emil’s Misdeeds while Andra expressed a fondness for Labyrinth and The Endless Story.
The artistic and vibrant setting of Liepāja served as the primary filming location, capturing its iconic houses, streets, and the distinguished 1st Gymnasium—a remarkable representation of Art Nouveau architecture. Filming took place in various engaging venues, such as the Liepāja Music, Art and Design High School for the talent show scenes, and the Olaine skate park, although bad weather posed challenges during filming. Marta Selecka humorously recounted a particular incident of having to dry the park surface with hair dryers to eliminate the visibility of rain-soaked footage, highlighting the memorable, albeit challenging, experiences throughout the shoot.
The movie Bum! is further enhanced by modern references young audiences readily recognize, featuring influencer Alishuksm in a cameo as a social media star. This clever inclusion mirrors the contemporary experiences of today’s youth as they navigate social media landscapes.
The development of Bum! received crucial support through the National Cinema Center’s competition, which utilized ERDF funding aimed at rejuvenating the film industry post-pandemic. This initiative has backed nine projects—including five feature films and four television series. Inga Blese, a representative of the National Cinema Center, emphasized their commitment to producing more feature films for children and invited additional project submissions targeting this demographic, highlighting that two new films for young audiences are already in production this year.
D from their own childhoods. “We want kids to feel seen and valued in a world that sometimes feels overwhelming,” Andra shares, hinting at the film’s core message about nurturing friendships and embracing the imagination inherent in youth.
The film’s creative choices reflect a conscious effort to strike a balance between entertainment and educational value. Using a relatable character like Hugo, the directors aim to inspire viewers to reflect on their own friendships and to remember the importance of authenticity over superficial popularity. By placing Hugo in humorous and heartwarming scenarios, the film aims to showcase how true connections can triumph even in the face of overwhelming social pressures.
As Bum! prepares to launch on November 3, audiences can expect a film infused with lighthearted adventure, striking visuals, and an emotionally resonant narrative. The reminder that it’s okay to be a little awkward, to need friends, and to journey through the complexities of adolescence is beautifully packaged within this family-friendly film.
Whether your superpower is the ability to make friends or simply to enjoy a good laugh, Bum! promises to remind viewers of the joys of childhood and the magic of real-world experiences. Expect a playful whirl of adventure as Hugo navigates the ups and downs of friendship, fame, and everything in between!
So mark your calendars, gather your friends and family, and get ready for a whimsical ride at the cinema. With enticing visuals and relatable themes, Bum! aims not just to entertain, but to offer a comforting hand to every young viewer who has ever felt out of place, reminding them that they’re not alone in their journey. As we await the premiere, one thing is certain—it’s going to be a “Bum!” of a good time!
