Investigation and reports

RE: European Stories

Re: Latvians Joining the Army

30 min

Available until 14/01/2030

20/01/2026

Investigation and reports

When Russia invaded Ukraine, the echoes reached Latvia, a country sharing a border with Russia and grim memories of Soviet occupation. Ordinary civilians are now preparing for war by volunteering for the Latvian National Guard in large numbers. ARTE Re: followed an artist, a sports journalist, an industrial climber, and a catholic priest as they join up. Through their training, routines, and personal reflections, the film observes how people are adapting to a new sense of responsibility in a country where the future feels anything but certain.

Author

Agita Cāne-Ķīle
Iveta Lepeško
Zane Ozoliņa

Image

Raivo Freimanis, Edgars Bite, Jānis Verdens

Editing

Māris Martušs

Production

Latvian Public Service Media

Producer

Elīna Grēbere

Sound

Melisa Votinova, Irita Vasariņa

Country

Latvia

Year

2025

Stories from the Continent

Europe in Turmoil

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Re: Latvians Joining the Army - Watch the full documentary | ARTE in English