Šis un tas
Evidence of things Latvian
Within the pages of Kathy Reichs' first novel can be found evidence of a Latvian connection.
August 05, 2005
If there’s a Latvian connection to be found, we’ll milk it. In that spirit, consider the new television crime show “Bones,” scheduled to debut Sept. 18 in the United States on the FOX network.
“Bones” is based on the murder mysteries of Kathy Reichs. The Chicago-born Reichs is professor emerita of anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and works as a forensic anthropologist for the State of North Carolina and the Province of Québec, Canada.
In her books, the main character has been forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan, who also will be the lead role in “Bones.”
The Latvian connection? Actually, there are two.
Reichs is of Latvian ancestry, as evidenced by the dedication in her first novel, Déjà Dead, published in 1997. Writes Reichs: “For Karl and Marta Reichs, the two kindest and most generous people I know. Paldies par jūsu mīlestību, Vecāmamma un Paps.”
Acting the role of Brennan in “Bones” will be Emily Deschanel, who is no stranger to Latvian herself.
Some readers may recall Deschanel in the brief role of Annie Frank in the television drama “Providence.” Annie was the sister of Owen Frank (played by George Newbern), who was the fiancé of lead character Dr. Sydney Hansen (played by the Greek-American actress Melina Kanakaredes). In episode 87, “Cloak and Dagger,” Syd met Owen’s sister and parents. It turned out that Owen’s parents were CIA agents, which for some reason explained why Owen and his sister spoke Latvian when they didn’t want anyone to understand what they were saying. The episode first aired Oct. 18, 2002, during the show’s fifth and final season.
“Providence” co-producer Artūrs Rūsis (most recently seen in the National Theatre of Latvia in the role of Andrejs in the musical “Eslingena”) confirmed for Latvians Online that he served as the dialogue coach for Deschanel and Newbern. He taught them a few simple lines of Latvian that they spoke to each other during a lunch scene in the show.
Now, if only the writers of “Bones” could find a reason for Deschanel to use Latvian dialogue. Then we could milk this even more.
— Andris Straumanis
What's new
Reviews
11 Feb 2012
Despite 25 years of making music, Bumerangs has just two albums
Bumerangs, from the northern Latvian city of Valka, has long been a Latvian schlager music institution. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in December 2011, the band has been one of the hardest working—playing, in some years, hundreds of concerts, and entertaining audiences not just in Latvia, but elsewhere in the world.
Multimedia
09 Feb 2012
Ar videoklipu biedrība mudina latviešus celties un iet balsot valodas referendumā
Biedrība “Par latviešu valodu” 9. februārī Rīgā atklāja akciju mudināt latviešus piedalīties 18. februāra referendumā un balsot pret grozījumiem Latvijas satversmē, kas noteiktu krievu valodu kā otro valsts valodu. Akcija ieskaita televīzijas reklāmas videoklipu ar nosaukumu “Celies un ej”, kurā dažādi sabiedrībā pazīstami cilvēki aicina skatītāju piedalīties referendumā.
News
08 Feb 2012
For upcoming language referendum, absentee ballot applications top 1,200
The hot-button language referendum scheduled Feb. 18 apparently has lots of voters abroad interested in letting their voice be heard, if figures from absentee ballot requests are any indication.
In the forums
Help with Latvian newspaper translation posted by shellym on 11 Feb 2012
The Arts Diplomacy Festival 2012 posted by ICD Academy on 09 Feb 2012
A place to see before dying... posted by anita on 07 Feb 2012
Who to trust Kremlin or Russia Greenpeace? Fire at Nuclear research institute! posted by Talisman Browns on 05 Feb 2012
«Karš bez noteikumiem» posted by Peteris Cedrins on 02 Feb 2012
