Heteropils

Heteropils is a documentary about the lives of LGBTQ+ community members in Daugavpils, Latvia. The film explores themes of self-acceptance, everyday challenges, and how society reacts to people coming out in a traditionally conservative environment.

At the heart of the film is the participation of Latgale’s LGBTQ+ community in the Baltic Pride, alongside personal stories of isolation, vulnerability, and the search for support in a city where diverse voices often remain unheard.

Shot entirely on mobile phones, the film captures different layers of life in Daugavpils—from queer activists to socially excluded individuals and local opposition politicians. It highlights internal tensions within the community and the complexity of visibility in a divided space.

The title refers to the city’s official slogan — “Daugavpils is diversity” — and the film seeks to show what that diversity looks like in practice.

The soundtrack, created by DJ SKOPTR using artificial intelligence, blends iconic local melodies with social media excerpts and homophobic comments to reflect the emotional and political landscape of the film’s protagonists.

Directed and choreographed by Eleonora Roosevelt.

Camera: Roberts Kleščinskis and Jegors Afoničs.

Editing: Jegors Afoničs.

The film is available to watch online for free: