Maria’s Silence

True story of a famous Latvian actress and silent era movie star Maria Leiko, who travels to Stalin's Russia (1937) upon the news of her newborn granddaughter. Soon after, Maria is faced with the brutality of the KGB, who threaten both her family and career, where she ultimately plays her life's most tragic role: an innocent victim destroyed as she struggles between her ideals and the murderous regime that surrounds her.

Director’s Statement:

Our film delves into the concluding chapter of Maria Leiko's life, where she inadvertently becomes a witness and, tragically, a victim of the ruthless persecution of Latvians instigated by Stalin. The characters embodied by Maria Leiko, her distinctive style, and expressive acting, transcended mere artistic representation. They mirrored her political convictions and avant-garde sensibilities, ultimately shaping the tragic trajectory of her life. Having lived through the most progressive and creative era of the 20th century, starring in films like Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau’s “Satanas” and gracing the stage at Erwin Piscator's German political theater, she envisioned an ideal society where individual rights were revered, sparing the majority from a wretched existence. Maria Leiko’s unwavering belief in the transformative power of art in the face of political oppression positioned her against Stalin's brutal regime. As is often the case in history, she found herself on the losing side of this struggle. Nevertheless, much like millions of other innocent souls, she imparts a profound historical lesson. Surprisingly, this lesson resonates with heightened relevance today, nearly a century later, amidst the inhumane conflict in Ukraine, internal repressions in Russia’s global strife, and the unsettling ascent of authoritarian tendencies even within certain European countries.