The Heiress of Werewolves

Latvia. The end of the 19th century. In a corner of a parish on the shore of a lake, two families live side by side. The Dievlodziņi and the Vilkači. With a long-standing hatred in their relations. True, the manifestations of hatred are felt only in the Dievlodziņi homes. How could it not! They are increasingly unlucky, diseases and livestock diseases strike, and the crops do not yield. In contrast, in the Vilkači, everything grows in a whirlwind, and diseases also continue to take a detour. This leads us to think that the Vilkači family achieves its prosperity by pestering and practicing witchcraft. Over time, they have also managed to turn the other people of the parish against them. However, the essence is completely different. The Vilkači people, being Christians, have not forgotten the ancient traditions and customs of the Latvian people, which are rooted in human life, not separating themselves from nature.

Directed by Gunārs Cilinskis, The Heiress of Werewolves leans on a strong ensemble — Zane Jančevska, Andres Dvinjaninov, Gunārs Cilinskis — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1991.