"Arsenāls" programme will include films from Armenia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Russia. As a special feature, the premiere of a film that has been in the making since mid-1990s.

Russian cinema is making a comeback at European festivals. Aleksandr Mindadze's "V Subbotu" was screened at Berlin Film Festival, whereas Vladimir Kot's "Gromozeka" received critical acclaim at the International Film Festival Rotterdam.

Both films have been included in "Arsenāls" special Russian and C.I.S. film programme, and both deal with the not-so-recent events in Russia's history that are still well remembered by most former USSR residents.

Since "Arsenāls" focus this year is on South Asian cinema, the programme includes five South Asian films characteristic of the region. Films made in Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia are gaining popularity at European film festivals, without losing any of their exotic appeal and the special take on life and people.

Fans of music in films will have an opportunity to have a look into the usually unusual life of the mysterious singer Jose Gonzalez in the film "The Extraordinary Ordinary Life of Jose Gonzalez", as well as see a film on the rebirth of the traditional marimba in Guatemala, "Marimbas from Hell".

The programme also includes two films featuring Jessica Chastain, and a special 3D film programme will offer Wim Wenders's "Pina" - the German classic's latest film, a documentary about the legendary German dancer Pina Bausch, as well as many other films.

For more information about "Arsenāls" films and events, go to www.arsenals.lv.