Virgins of Riga

Synopsis

"Virgins of Riga" (original title: "Jomfruene i Riga") is a 1996 Danish-Latvian comedy film directed by Bo Hermansson. Set against the backdrop of Riga, Latvia, the story revolves around a group of naïve Danish men who arrive in the Latvian capital with the intent of exploration and adventure. Their cultural naivety coupled with the vibrant and somewhat chaotic Eastern European atmosphere leads to a series of comedic and awkward encounters. The film explores themes of cultural clash and youthful innocence amidst the transitional post-Soviet era of the mid-1990s Riga. Through humorous situations, the narrative provides a satirical yet poignant look at the complexities of identity, expectation, and reality in a foreign setting.

Cast

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  Aurelija Anuzhite

• 

  Uldis Dumpis

• 

  Jon Eikemo

• 

  Helge Jordal

• Viggo Jønsberg

• 

  Ivars Kalnins

Reviews

"Virgins of Riga" received generally mixed to negative reviews upon its release. On IMDb, the film holds a rating of 3.2/10, reflecting a largely critical reception from audiences. Many reviewers criticized the film for its outdated humor and lack of depth in character development, suggesting that the comedy felt forced or politically incorrect by contemporary standards. Additionally, some found the narrative lacking in cohesion and the pacing uneven. However, others appreciated its attempt to capture the unique cultural atmosphere of post-Soviet Latvia in the 1990s and acknowledged the film's intention to portray cultural misunderstandings humorously. Despite these intentions, the film struggled to resonate widely and failed to gain critical acclaim on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, where limited reviews reflect its status as a lesser-known international comedy. Nevertheless, "Virgins of Riga" holds some curiosity for cinephiles interested in regional European cinema of the 90s and Eastern European sociocultural depictions in film.