KINO / Dita Rietuma's European Film Festival Selection | Bitter Holidays

The film tells two interconnected stories. The first takes place in 2004 during the long December holidays, and its main character is advertising creative director Elsa. The second unfolds in 2026 and follows screenwriter and director Raul, who is writing a screenplay. It soon becomes clear that it is a story about Elsa, her friend Bonifacio, and their girlfriends Patricia and Natalia.

As reality merges with fiction, Elsa in a sense becomes Raul's alter ego. Like him, Elsa turns to autofiction in an effort to overcome a long creative crisis. Raul looks inward, but he also turns to the people who make up his world, his partner and assistant.

The film speaks about the close connection between reality and fiction, between inspiration and life, while also exploring the boundaries of autofiction and stories within stories.

The film is in Spanish with Latvian subtitles.