The Marriage Project, the production company behind Latvian auteur Signe Baumane‘s Annecy Jury Distinction winner “My Love Affair with Marriage,” has unveiled key casting details for the award-winning filmmaker’s next feature, “Karmic Knot.”
Written and directed by Baumane, whose previous works “Rocks In My Pockets” and “My Love Affair With Marriage” have garnered critical acclaim, “Karmic Knot” tells the multi-generational story of a tight-knit family striving to survive in Soviet-occupied Latvia from the 1970s to the early 1990s. As the Soviet Union collapses, the family aspires to rebuild their world, even more insular than before, while one member harbors ambitions that could change everything.
Promising a cinematic experience that blends Hollywood glamour with Broadway brilliance, the film’s A-list cast is headlined by Tony-Award-nominated actor Patrick Wilson, renowned for his roles in “The Conjuring” film series and “Insidious.” Wilson will voice the film’s protagonist, Ansis, a civil engineer determined to shield his family from the chaos of Soviet-occupied Latvia.
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Joining Wilson is Dagmara Dominczyk, celebrated for her performances in “Succession” and “The Lost Daughter.” Dominczyk voices Vizma, a resilient wife and mother navigating the treacherous waters of betrayal. Gracie Lawrence – lead singer of the band Lawrence, who will make her Broadway debut this spring in the Bobby Darin musical “Just in Time” – lends her voice to Ragne, the family’s youngest daughter.
Emma Kenney, known for her roles in “The Conners” and “Shameless,” brings her expertise in complex family dynamics to the character of Zinta, the ambitious older daughter facing down an oppressive government. Stephen Lang, whose intense performances in “Avatar” and “Don’t Breathe” have earned him worldwide recognition, voices Victors, Vizma’s father whose world views inflict painful wounds on his children.
Rounding out the main cast is Matthew Modine, known for his commanding presence in “Full Metal Jacket” and “Stranger Things.” Modine voices Imants, Ansis’ older brother, whose loan of 10,000 rubles sets the story in motion. The film also features thirty-eight top New York and Latvian theater actors in supporting roles, adding depth and authenticity to the project.
Lang, Dominczyk, Kenny and Modine all previously lent their voices to Baumane’s “My Love Affair with Marriage.”
With a cast that boasts a blend of seasoned actors and fresh talent, “Karmic Knot” is poised to captivate audiences with its compelling story and stellar performances. The film promises to be a poignant exploration of family, resilience and the human spirit, set against the backdrop of a tumultuous historical period.
All eyes will certainly be on the project given Baumane’s impressive track record and the current success of fellow Latvian feature “Flow,” which recently won the Golden Globe for best animated feature and picked up nominations for best animated feature and international feature at this year’s Oscars.