Podnieks on Podnieks is a revealing documentary portrait of Juris Podnieks, the influential Latvian filmmaker whose work reached more than 40 million people across the former Soviet Union. The film, which screened last week at the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival, traces the life and career of a documentarian who chronicled the last days of the Soviet Union and helped redefine Baltic cinema. Through a compelling blend of archival footage, candid interviews, and rare behind-the-scenes material, Podnieks on Podnieks illuminates how Podnieks’ fearless storytelling opened windows into life behind the Iron Curtain and sparked conversations about democracy, censorship, and national identity. This is a must-watch for fans of documentary history, Eastern European cinema, and anyone interested in how one artist can leave a lasting imprint on a region’s cultural memory. The film positions Juris Podnieks as a trailblazer whose legacy continues to inspire new generations of documentary filmmakers.