Ordinary sci-fi concept, atypical employment: 'Laura un vineta' is a wonderful step away from most tales, of any length, that involve extraterrestrial visitations. To center not just an average person, but an older man - a farmer - allows a different type of short to flourish.
The disruption to protagonist Aldis' routine and beloved potato crop sets in motion some fun attempts with his friends to return to his farm, cordoned off by government agents. It's a short, simple story that Roberts Kulenko and Peteris Puritis have concocted, but imaginative and entertaining. At all times Aldis' only goal is to resume tending to his plants, and his mindset is defined by frustration at the unwelcome circumstances.
From filming locations and set design to lighting and wardrobe, every aspect of 'Laura un vineta' feels very real. Even Aldis' unearthly guest, realized with seeming puppetry instead of CGI, appears fantastically vivid and plausible in our vision. Unremarkable as the characterizations are, the roles are very capably filled, bringing them to life quite believably.
Simply put, at only 19 minutes, 'Laura un vineta' is a sci-fi short well worth our time.