Marry Then Die
Zigis and Anya make a fateful agreement: he will help her die, but only after they marry.
Zigis (42), a charming drifter, needs to inherit his dying grandmother’s house to fulfil his dream of opening a luxury pet hotel. But first she wants to see him married. He meets Anya (39), who plans to die after losing her beloved dog, but her alien hand syndrome sabotages her suicide attempts. Zigis proposes, and Anya accepts on one condition: after the wedding, he will help her die. For him, marriage means an inheritance; for her, a final detour before death. But as they navigate their unusual pact, they discover that marrying is easy. Killing, on the other hand, not so much.
Producers' note
Over the past four years, we have had the privilege of developing “Marry Then Die” together with writer-director Elza Gauja. From the beginning, the project has been about people we often pass by without truly seeing – those living on the margins of society, struggling with homelessness, addiction or isolation. Elza’s vision looks beyond these labels to reveal complex, funny and deeply human characters.
At the heart of the film is an unusual agreement: Anya will marry Zigis so that his dying grandmother Rasma leaves him her house, on the condition that Zigis helps Anya end her life. Through this darkly ironic premise, the film explores loneliness, suicide, mortality and our need for connection. Yet it does so with Elza’s characteristic warmth and humor, finding absurdity and tenderness even in the darkest situations. Ultimately, it is a film about how caring for another person can become a reason to stay alive.
The project’s participation in the Baltic Event Co-Production Market confirmed its international potential. Conversations with industry professionals from across Europe showed us that the themes at the core of the story transcend its distinctly Latvian setting.
The film is now in production, supported by the National Film Centre of Latvia, with an experienced Latvian creative team. We are also collaborating with Miha Černec and Staragara on sound post-production and original music. Having followed Elza’s journey from “Keep Smiling, Mom!” to “A Postcard from Rome”, winner of Best Feature Film at the 2024 Latvian National Film Awards, we believe “Marry Then Die” marks an ambitious next step in her filmmaking.
At Baltic Event Works in Progress, we hope to introduce the film to international sales agents, distributors, festival programmers and potential post-production partners who can help us bring this unusual, tender and darkly humorous story to audiences beyond Latvia.
Director's note
Unfortunately, in my family there has long existed a quiet and painful “tradition” of suicides. It began with my grandparents, continued with my foster parent, and has also touched friends who were still in the full bloom of youth. These experiences inevitably leave a mark on those who remain behind, and the same question returns again and again: why?
Very often, the answer seems painfully simple – loneliness. The feeling that nobody truly understands you, that your presence no longer matters. This fragile moment, when a person begins to feel invisible to the world, lies at the emotional core of “Marry Then Die”.
The film begins with an unusual pact. Anya, who has withdrawn from life after losing her husband, agrees to marry Zigis so that he can inherit his grandmother’s house. In return, he promises to help her die. Yet what interests me is not death itself, but the paradox that emerges from their agreement: two people who believe their lives have already failed slowly begin to rediscover the possibility of connection.
During development, the story has gradually moved away from darkness towards humour, warmth and absurdity. I see the film as a dark romantic tragicomedy, grounded in naturalistic performances and recognisable contemporary Latvia, but with the emotional quality of a quiet modern fairy tale. The humour never comes from death itself, but from the awkward and often absurd ways in which deeply flawed people try to cope with life.
Ultimately, “Marry Then Die” is about people who feel invisible. I want to observe them without judgement, with empathy, humour and tenderness. They may not suddenly become the happiest people in the world. But through caring for another person, they may discover that their presence matters – and glimpse a small ray of light where they previously saw none.
Biography
Elza Gauja has written, directed and produced several short films, both documentaries and fiction, including documentary “Meanwhile in Lucavsala” and a debut narrative film “Keep Smiling, Mom!”. Elza has participated in the MFI Script 2 Film workshop, Ex Oriente Film training programme and Midpoint Series Launch 2022. Meanwhile, Elza is doing her film directing master studies at the Latvian Academy of Culture. Previously she has also studied film and theatrical acting.
Filmography
2024 Postcard from Rome - director, screenwriter
2022 - Present Wonderful Emptiness (dir. Andris Gauja) - producer
2022 Keep smiling, mom - director, co-writer
2022 Meanwhile in Lucavsala - director, screenwriter
2021 Curfew - director, screenwriter
2021 The Professor and Gena - director, screenwriter
2016 BOČKA - director, co-writer
2018 Good morning, doctor! - director, co-writer, editing director
Biography
Līva Vernere is a film producer based in Riga, Latvia. After graduating bachelors in Film production she is doing her masters in Curatorial Studies at the Latvian Academy of Art. Has worked with film studios "Tritone Studio", "Air Productions" and "fon Films" as a producer of documentary and fiction short films screened locally and internationally. Līva joined the VFS FILMS team as a producer in 2024.
Biography
Uldis Cekulis created the independent production company VFS FILMS 25 years ago
and has worked on almost 50 creative documentaries both as a producer and sometimes as a cameraman. His co-produced films have received prestigious awards, like the Shanghai IFF Golden Goblet for “Bridges of Time” the Karlovy Vary IFF Crystal Globe for “Immortal” and the Best Documentary award at the 36th Warsaw FF for “The Jump”. His Latvian-Italian co- production “The Rossellinis” premiered at the 77th Venice IFF.
Profile
VFS Films is an independent Latvian production company founded in 1997, known for internationally acclaimed, author-driven films. Its productions have received awards at Karlovy Vary IFF, IDFA, Shanghai IFF, Warsaw FF and Trieste FF, and four VFS co-productions have been selected as national submissions for the Academy Awards.
Founder and producer Uldis Cekulis has produced nearly 50 creative documentaries and TV series. A recipient of the MIPDOC International Trailblazer Award, he is a member of the European Film Academy. Producer Līva Vernere joined VFS Films in 2024 after producing six short films since 2020. Working across fiction and documentary, she focuses on close creative collaboration with directors and is currently developing and producing her first feature-length projects, including Elza Gauja’s “Marry Then Die”.