KINGPINS

A struggling actress decides to rob the bowling alley where she works as a waitress.

A struggling actress decides to rob the bowling alley where she works – not just for the money, but to prove she's capable of more than minor roles and waitressing. When the heist goes wrong, she must give the performance of a lifetime to clear her name.

Main country of production

Latvia

Director's note

'Kingpins' explores the struggles young people face when their dreams and aspirations clash with reality. Paula, the film's main character, is a talented actress – often underestimated and relegated to minor roles – who turns to robbery as both a financial solution and a desperate attempt to prove her worth.
The heist becomes Paula's ultimate 'performance': a chance to embody the daring, complex character she believes exists within her. However, when the plan goes awry, she must reassess her views on money, success, and self-reliance.
In developing this project, I've drawn on my own experiences as an aspiring creative and my desire to explore early-adulthood alienation in a fun, entertaining, and slightly ironic way. What makes this project special is how it transforms the familiar crime genre into a story about artistic ambition – using the bowling alley heist as a metaphor for the risks we take to be truly seen and valued.
'Kingpins' is ultimately a story about moving beyond the need for validation, finding dignity in small roles, and discovering love and fulfilment in unexpected places – told with explosive energy and a punk-rock attitude.

Producer's note

'Kingpins' is a sharp, punk-spirited tragicomedy about ambition, self-worth, and the risks we take to be seen. When Paula's 'ultimate performance' goes off the rails, she embodies the clash between creative dreams and harsh reality – a story that resonates far beyond Latvia.
Winning Script Pool Tallinn opened crucial doors, helping us secure the funding needed to bring this film to life and giving the project early international visibility.
Our aims are bold: to reach a 100K audience in Latvia, establish our director as a powerful new voice, prove that tragicomedy deserves full national fund support, and achieve international sales and festival recognition — from major streamers such as Netflix or HBO to top-tier festival selections.
With its irreverent energy and cross-border appeal, 'Kingpins' demonstrates how Latvian cinema can be both fiercely local and globally magnetic.

Subjects:
adventures, self realisation, burglary, individual vs society