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I'm not crazy. Maybe a little...

drama-comedy, 20 / 24 minutes

World Premiere at Austin Film Festival 2026!

We are thrilled to announce that the world premiere of "I'm not crazy. Maybe a little..." will take place at the Austin Film Festival. Our film is In Competition, and we will be there in person to greet anyone who wants to say hi!

Screenings in Austin, Texas

Come to one of our two screenings at the festival:

About the film

Mara, a witty but life-weary alcoholic, and Linda, a spirited but fragile young woman, escape from a psychiatric hospital to rescue Linda's cat, Second, who has been left locked in her apartment. Wandering the dark streets of Riga at night, hitchhiking, evading the police, and encountering unexpected allies, they confront the wounds that led them to the hospital ward. Mara struggles with her alcohol addiction and estranged relationship with her son, while Linda faces heartbreak and self-doubt. Over the course of their journey, their conflicting personalities gradually form a fragile friendship, offering each of them a ray of hope. Through humor, chaos, and harsh truths, the women discover that even broken lives can find meaning and connection.

Press materials

Please use the link below to download high resolution stills, film poster, director's and producer's photos. Feel free to contact the team at info@brightnine.com for any additional materials.

Director's statement

The film is a touching and often comedic, yet deeply dramatic exploration of second chances, intergenerational conflict, and the connections we form in the most unexpected places and circumstances. Our imperfect but genuinely human characters, along with the audience, ask themselves: is it possible to escape from oneself—or is the real way out the ability to stay?
At its core, this is a journey film—both literal and emotional. Mara and Linda—our protagonists—move from one obstacle to another to escape from the mental hospital and reach Linda’s home to feed her cat, Second. But during this night, both women embark on another journey—a personal one, each in her own way. Their physical escape becomes a reflection of the inner transformation they undergo.
As a director, I’ve always seen one of my most important tasks as working closely with actors to create authentic, living characters on screen. That means crafting nuanced psychological portraits and working with both explicit and hidden motivations. I also find it essential to involve the actors early in the script process, allowing them to shape the characters’ language and behavior as their own.
In terms of genre, the film can broadly be described as a dramatic comedy or comedic drama. This label is often overused today, but in our case it feels justified. I believe it’s vital to be able to laugh—even at painful or serious things—without crossing the line into cynicism or emotional detachment. Our film leaves space for humor, but ultimately treats its dramatic moments with sincerity and respect.

Information

Cast

  • Dace Vītola
  • Agate Marija Bukša
  • Edijs Zalaks
  • Jurijs Djakonovs
  • Egons Dombrovskis
  • Tomass Ralfs Ābolkalns
  • Dārta Cīrule
  • Kārlis Reijers

Crew

  • Director: Dan Silov
  • Story: Dan Silov & Pavel Tivikov
  • Writer: Pavel Tivikov
  • Cinematographer: Jānis Upmalis
  • Editor: Dan Silov
  • Sound designer: Anatoly Shiryayev
  • Production designer: Yuka Grand
  • 1st Assistant Director: Ruslan Fradkin
  • Producers: Nadīna Anna Larionova, Vadim Zaikovsky
  • Co-producer: Denis Krupnov
  • In association with: REASON8, Latvian Academy of Culture

Details

  • Original title: Es neesmu traka. Varbūt mazliet...
  • Working title: Strays
  • Country of production: Latvia
  • Release: 2026
  • Runtime: 20 minutes
  • Extended cut: 24 minutes
  • Language: Latvian
  • Subtitles: English, Russian
  • Aspect ratio: 2.00 : 1

Festivals, Awards, Nominations

  • Austin Film Festival — Official Selection (Austin, USA, 2026)

Trailer