Director Kārlis Lesiņš, together with journalist Inese Braže, started a cinematographic investigation six years ago. They were interested in the questions - why is the development of this project so far behind schedule and the costs so far over budget?
Each year, more and more questions were raised as the project began to be held back by internal finger pointing, power dynamics, changes in leadership and ever-increasing costs.
There were also rumors about the possible influence of Russia and China, and many other rumors and theories about who was to blame for the ambitious project's woes.
Kārlis Lesiņš sought answers by interviewing designers, builders, entrepreneurs, politicians, the leadership of the State Security Service, even the Russian spy Valentin Frolov. He also met people whose properties might be crossed by Rail Baltica trains in the future.
Work on the film started when the world was still very different. When the war in Ukraine broke out, it became increasingly clear that Rail Baltica was not just a story about transport infrastructure and business, but also about security.
The last footage was shot in the summer of 2024, and since then there have been many new developments, so there may well be a sequel. But now, very soon, audiences will see the result of six years of work.
Kārlis Lesiņš's new documentary "Nord Express" will premiere on November 28.
