The Pagan King

{{Expand language|topic=culture|langcode=lv|otherarticle=Nameja gredzens (filma)|date=November 2017}}

{{Infobox film

| name = The Pagan King

| image = The_Pagan_King.jpg

| alt =

| caption =

| director = {{ill|Aigars Grauba|lv}}{{Cite web |url=http://apollo.tvnet.lv/zinas/ekskluzivi-toposas-latviesu-filmas-nameja-gredzens-aizkulises/741962 |title=Ekskluzīvi: Topošās latviešu filmas "Nameja gredzens" aizkulises |publisher=tvnet.lv |language=Latvian |date=2 September 2016 |accessdate=17 November 2017}}

| producer = Andrejs Ēķis

| writer = Aigars Grauba
Max Kinnings{{Cite web |url=http://www.lsm.lv/raksts/kultura/kino-foto-un-tv/sakas-filmas-nameja-gredzens-uznemsana-ar-edvinu-endri-galvenaja-loma.a198420/ |title=Sākas filmas "Nameja gredzens" uzņemšana ar Edvīnu Endri galvenajā lomā |publisher=Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs |language=latvian |date=29 August 2016 |accessdate=17 November 2017}}

| starring = Edvin Endre
James Bloor
Aistė Diržiūtė
Ivo Martinsons
Gints Andžāns
Lauris Dzelzītis
Dainis Grūbe
Andris Keišs
Artūrs Skrastiņš
Egons Dombrovskis
Elīna Vāne

| music = Rihards Zaļupe

| cinematography = Valdis Celmiņš

| editing = Liga Pipare

| studio = Platforma Film

| distributor = Latvian Theatrical Distribution (Latvia)
Ascot Elite Entertainment Group

| released = {{Film date|2018|01|17|df=y|ref1=}}

| runtime = 110 minutes

| country = United Kingdom / Latvia

| language = English

| budget = €3 million{{Cite web |url=https://www.filmneweurope.com/news/latvia-news/item/115681-production-aigars-grauba-in-postproduction-with-expensive-historical-drama-the-pagan-king |title=PRODUCTION: Aigars Grauba in Postproduction with 3m EUR Latvian Historical Drama The Pagan King |author=Zane Peneze |publisher=Film New Europe Association |date=December 8, 2017}}

| gross =

}}

The Pagan King ({{langx|lv|Nameja gredzens}} – 'Namejs Ring', initially The King's Ring) is a 2018 historical action film directed by {{ill|Aigars Grauba|lv}} and co-written by Max Kinnings and Grauba. The film stars Edvin Endre, James Bloor, Aistė Diržiūtė and others.{{Cite web |url=http://nkc.gov.lv/en/get-to-know-a-film/kings-ring/ |title=The Pagan King |publisher=National Film Centre of Latvia |accessdate=7 February 2018}}

== Plot ==

The legend of the Namejs Ring is a story that takes place in the 13th century in Semigallia, where the young Namejs (Edvin Endre) becomes the new king after the death of Viesturs (Egons Dombrovskis). The film follows Namejs as he attempts to deal with and repel Christian influence in Semigallia.

Cast

{{cast list|

Edvin Endre as Namejs
James Bloor as Max von Buxhoeveden
Aistė Diržiūtė as Lauga
Ivo Martinsons as Valdis
Andris Keišs as Ulup
Artūrs Skrastiņš as Pope
Dainis Grūbe as Pihto, prince of Saaremaa
Egons Dombrovskis as Viesturs
Elīna Vāne as Queen Rama
Gints Andžāns as Saken
Lauris Dzelzītis as Lemme
Jānis Āmanis as Fulke
Kaspars Kārkliņš as Arko
Toms Auniņš as Daugulis
Kaspars Zāle as Birre
Anete Berķe as Gilla
Maija Arvena Ozoliņa as Sigi

}}

Production

On 23 March 2014 Grauba and Ēķis presented the idea of a historical fiction movie about freedom fights of Semigallia in 13th century and its leader Namejs.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvnet.lv/izklaide/kino/540293-sakusies_rezisora_graubas_filmas_nameja_gredzens_filmesana|title=Sākusies režisora Graubas filmas "Nameja gredzens" filmēšana|date=19 December 2014 }} The principal photography of the film began in December 2014 in Cinevilla backlot.

== Release ==

The film's premier took place on 17 January 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.baltic-course.com/eng2/baltic_news/?doc=18861|title=Historical action film The King's Ring to premiere on January 17|date=December 22, 2017|publisher=The Baltic Course}}{{cite web|url=https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/the-kings-ring-premieres-in-latvia.a264773/|title=The King's Ring premieres in Latvia|date=January 18, 2018|publisher=Public Broadcasting of Latvia}}