Watch Forest Brothers

Forest Brothers is a Latvian historical drama based on true events that took place during and after World War II. Set in Latvia, the movie tells the story of a group of resistance fighters who called themselves the Forest Brothers, and who fought against the Soviet occupiers and their Latvian collaborators. The movie centers around two brothers, Zigis and Janis, who together with other members of their community, decide to take up arms against the Soviet Union after witnessing and experiencing their brutal and oppressive tactics. In the beginning, they operate from the forests, but as they gain strength, the group starts to carry out more daring attacks on Soviet troops and their collaborators.

As the Forest Brothers fight against the Soviets, they start gaining support from the locals who are also affected by the occupiers. The resistance group grows more resilient, and the Soviet forces have to put in more effort to keep them from gaining any ground. The Forest Brothers take up many roles - soldiers, strategists, medics and more, and the story explores the challenges and risks that each of them encounters as they operate.

One of the main themes in the movie is the struggle for national identity, and the need for freedom and autonomy. As the resistance group fights on, they are plagued by the dilemma of what kind of nation they are fighting for. Are they fighting for an independent Latvia, or one that has allies who care little for their economic or political needs? The movie does an excellent job of conveying these complex issues.

Another theme in the movie is the strength of family bonds. The brothers are joined by their father, a former soldier in the Latvian army, and their sister Zane. The close-knit family demonstrates that the desire for freedom and the courage to fight for it is a trait that runs equally in their veins. The love and loyalty the family members have for each other adds a depth of emotion and humanity to the movie.

The movie also touches on the difficult moral decision that the resistance fighters have to make. As the group grows stronger, there are more demands on their resources, which means that they sometimes have to resort to using violence against people who were once their own countrymen. The resistance fighters must decide whether to continue fighting or to accept the Soviet regime and potentially betray the freedom that they have been fighting to protect.

The performances from the actors, Juris Bergmanis, Antonija Brasla, and Leon Garkalns, are excellent, and they bring authenticity to their roles by conveying the courage, fear, and determination that their characters feel during the course of the movie. Forest Brothers is an impressive movie that will appeal to anyone who is interested in history, politics, and humanity. It's a heartfelt and touching tale of courage, family, and sacrifice in the face of oppression. It's a reminder of the power of resistance and the strength of the human spirit against adversaries that seek to suppress it.

In conclusion, Forest Brothers is a must-watch movie for anyone that wants to learn about Latvia's history during World War II and the country's fight for freedom. The movie beautifully captures the spirit of the Forest Brothers, who stood up to their oppressors and fought for what they believed was indispensable. The story is a testament to the human desire for liberty, autonomy, and the sacrifices that must be made to achieve it.

Forest Brothers is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.