Escape Net

A girl from Riga in Stalin's time hopes to escape the USSR and reunite with her refugee brother by playing basketball. Her dedication and love move the whole nation and leads to the creation of the most dominant women's basketball team in European history. Based on a true story.

Set in Soviet-era Riga, Dzidra, an impoverished teenager, takes up basketball to reunite with her brother, who fled abroad after WWII. Despite the odds, she becomes the first Latvian woman on the USSR national team. Before an overseas match, the KGB intervenes. Undeterred, she captains TTT Riga, gaining recognition. They reach the Euroleague final in Paris, where Dzidra discovers her brother's presence, forcing a tough decision: escape with him or remain loyal to Latvia.

Dzidra Karamiseva, the first Latvian on the USSR national basketball team, plans an escape during the 1957 World Championship finals against the United States to reunite with her older brother, a post-WWII refugee in France. Foiled by the KGB, she faces heightened surveillance.
Undeterred, Dzidra returns to Latvia, establishing the Guinness record-breaking women's basketball club, 'TTT Riga,' as a symbol of resistance against Soviet oppression. Despite international recognition for defeating the United States in a friendly game, they remain barred from competing abroad due to Soviet restrictions.
Dzidra delves deeper into the resistance, risking all to escape the regime and reunite with her brother. At the 1962 Euroleague final in Paris against Czechoslovakia, she discovers her brother's presence, offering an escape opportunity. Now, she must choose between her love for her brother and her loyalty to Latvia.

Director’s note:
My grandmother’s stories about being a woman during World War II and my childhood passion for basketball led me to the story of Dzidra Karamiseva: the first Latvian basketball player in the USSR team. She was the captain of the team, four-time European gold medallist, a woman who dedicated her whole life to basketball. The story of Dzidra allows us to present several aspects of Soviet life and the interaction between the USSR and other European countries, all from the perspective of an athlete whose strength will inspire so many. I am highly inspired to make this film as my second feature.
I want to keep a very personal way of cinematic storytelling from the perspective of Dzidra both reflecting her everyday life and basketball. To harmonise the duality of Dzidra’s gentle and sensitive side with the strong and ruthless side she shows during the crucial moments of her life and on the basketball court.

Producer's note:
Escape Net, a Cold War sports drama set in Soviet-era Latvia, celebrates resilient female characters and their impact on history. It explores themes of determination in adversity and the struggle between fate and self-determination.
The film is timely, shedding light on the unsung heroes of the past, paralleling today's political landscape with that of the 1950s. As Europe faces new challenges, particularly in Ukraine, it serves as a reminder of quiet resistance, offering a message of hope through its female protagonist, Dzidra Karamiseva, who battles authorities to reunite with her brother.
Supported by the Creative Europe Programme, the National Film Center of Latvia, and private sponsors, the project garnered recognition at various industry events. It's currently in the production stage, seeking post-production services, gap financing, private equity, pre-sales, streaming deals, and festival opportunities.