Zane Dombrovska

An ancient Latvian folk tale is the basis for this colorful animated feature in the tradition of Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. A vengeful sorceress casts a kingdom’s princess into a deep sleep at the top of an icy mountain, where she awaits release from the spell that will destroy the land. Of all the men vying for the honor, the shy outcast son of a family of thugs is the most unlikely. Director Kalnaellis brings a playful sense of humor to the characterizations and adds zippy contemporary elements including a chorus of wisecracking crows. (Gene Siskel Film Center)

New Year's Eve. Taxi driver Andrejs (Lauris Reiniks) has almost finished his shift, when suddenly a forgotten present makes him recall the curious collection of that night’s passengers - a rowdy couple, a tired Santa, noisy mummers, a worried groom, and even a pregnant woman about to have her baby. Andrejs will play a role in each passenger’s story, but will he get to experience his own New Year's miracle?

A year has passed, and characters of New Year’s Eve Taxi are counting hours until New Year’s Eve once again. All of them have experienced many changes... Andrejs is willing to stay at home with his fiancee, but as Ilze is expecting a baby, she has a lot of cravings, and Andrejs is ready to drive again to get her a burger, scallops, or strawberries. His neighbor, policeman Jēkabs, has been blackmailed throughout the year, but this time, by help of his new friend Anna, he returns to the “crime scene” to redeem his reputation. Innocent drive to the shop turns into a kaleidoscope of events and surprises jeopardising a family gathering.

Marta will meet a charming and rich man, but love will blind her eyes and Marta will not notice the true intentions of her new sweetheart behind her rose-colored glasses.