Long and Happy Lives
| Long and Happy Lives | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Karl Kaljurand |
| Written by | Baltramiejus Navickas Skaiste Lankutiene Zigrīds Jansons |
| Produced by | Daris Breņķis |
| Starring | Leino Vītiņš Alge Sakatauskiene Kristjan Kalda Gijs Krieviņš |
| Edited by | Remaque Studios |
| Music by | Agris Polis |
Production company | Adrianas Productions |
| Distributed by | Jedorian Cinemas United |
Running time | 131 minutes |
| Country | Jedoria |
| Language | Jedorian |
| Budget | 20 million credits |
| Box office | 185 million credits |
Long and Happy Lives is a 2015 Jedorian drama movie. It is based on the novel "Long and Happy Lives" by Vello Kohs. The film stars Leino Vītiņš, Alge Sakatauskiene, Kristjan Kalda, and Gijs Krieviņš. It was directed by Karl Kaljurand in conunction with Adrianas Productions, and distributed by Jedorian Cinemas United. The films plot revolves around the main character Henrik, played by Leino Vītiņš, who attempts to establish a life for himself in post-war Jedoria. The film was a box office and critical success, with critics applauding Vītiņš's performance and the score, which was composed by Agris Polis.
Plot
In the aftermath of the Jedorian Civil War, Henrik (Leino Vītiņš) attempts to start a small business centered around selling and repairing radios. His efforts are largely fruitless due to the poor state of the Jedorian economy and the increasing proliferation of cell phones, and after he fails to secure a loan is forced to survive by performing odd jobs and living out of soup kitchens. After repeated attempts at starting his own business fail, Henrik increasingly turns to alcohol for comfort, wasting what little money he earns at local bars. During this and conversations with his friend Kalev (Kristjan Kalda) he reveals his desire to reconnect with a friend he knew before the war named Ajita (Alge Sakatauskiene), whom he hopes to court but believes would be futile if he didn't offer some sort of life (i.e owning a business) to offer her. He mentions frequently that his former commanding officer promised him and other veterans "Long and happy lives" after the war was over, but thus far had failed to materialize.
After a year of failed business ventures and menial labor, Henrik's fortunes suddenly change when he runs into an old friend, Skaistis (Gijs Krieviņš). Skaistis offers Henriks a job, which seems to be a simple delivery of small packages to various people. Henrik is surprised by how much he would be making, but seeing the opportunity to finally make a living for himself agrees. For a few months Henrik makes deliveries without issue, piling up a significant income and allowing him to enjoy a higher standard of living. Kalev expresses concern regarding why Henrik is earning so much for such a simple job, but Henrik dismisses his sentiments as jealousy. However, the following day a routine delivery is interrupted when the recipient is attacked by armed thugs, and Henrik narrowly escapes unharmed. Confused, Henrik tears open the package to reveal cocaine, showing that the entire time he had been helping to smuggle and sell drugs. Henrik is torn by his moral objection to the task and his desire to keep making money, leading to a confrontation with Skaistis over why he wasn't informed. Skaistis manages to convince Henrik to keep carrying on with offers a more payment, and Henrik reluctantly agrees.
Henrik's next delivery turns out to be to Ajita, whom he discovers has become addicted to cocaine as a means of dealing with her repressed memories of the civil war. Henrik is stunned by her addiction but still has feelings for her, forcing him to deal with the ethical implications of feeding the drug habit of someone he cares about, versus the positive feelings Ajita has for him as a result of him supplying her with more cocaine. Upon learning of it, Kalev urges Henrik to stop peddling drugs, but Skaistis warns Henrik that Ajita would not want to be with him if he cuts her off. Henrik struggles with the moral implications and nearly suffers a nervous breakdown before resolving to go and talk with Ajita. He arrives at her apartment only to find that she has overdosed, and he rushes her to a hospital where she barely survives. Upon learning of the incident, the police investigate and arrest Henrik for drug trafficking. While awaiting trial, Henrik is warned by Skaistis about testifying against him or anyone else associated with the drug smuggling. The day before his trial, Henrik pens a heartfelt letter to Ajita expressing his feelings for her and his hope that she can stop her addiction. Kalev delivers it and urges Henrik to testify, which he ultimately does. In a plea bargain Henrik's sentence is reduced to three years in exchange for his testimony against Skaistis, who is jailed for 20 years for running a drug smuggling syndicate.
After two and a half years in jail Henrik is released due to good behavior and placed on parole. He expects to return to a life of odd jobs and poverty only to be met by Ajita, who after recovering from her overdose and reading Hernik's letter became sober. The two joyfully reunite, and later Henrik is contacted by Kalev, who has started his own company, with a job offer. Henrik and Ajita celebrate by sitting on the roof of her apartment building and watching the stars, with Henrik closing with a narration about finally starting a long and happy life.
Reception
Long and Happy Lives was well received in Jeodria, where it grossed 185 million credits. Critics praised Vītiņš's performance as "...earnest and honest", while composer Agris Polis received several awards for his work on the films soundtrack. The film is often cited as a "generational standout" appealing to many Jedorians in the aftermath of the civil war. In 2018 it was selected by the Jedorian Federal Government for preservation within the Federal Archives.