Based on an acclaimed 1935 novel about the War of Liberation (1918-1920) that ensured Estonia’s independence, the film tells about a group of young schoolboys heading to the front to fight the army of Soviet Russia.Read More »
Estonian
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Elmo Nüganen – Nimed marmortahvlil AKA Names Engraved in Marble (2002)
2001-2010DramaElmo NüganenEstoniaWar -
Vladimir Gajdarov – Wellen der Leidenschaft AKA The Waves of Passion (1930)
1921-1930AdventureEstoniaSilentVladimir GajdarovWeimar Republic cinemaSynopsis:
The young Brazilian journalist Rex Ronney is gathering data for his book on Nordic alcohol smuggling and embarks on a boat trip to Estonia and Finland, where alcohol is prohibited. On the boat, he meets the booze king Kõlgis, whose confidence he wins. Kõlgis issues him a letter of recommendation and sends him to the smuggler Bratt in Tallinn, who is in the service of Mart Martens, who in turn is heavily indebted to Kõlgis. As a result, Betty Martens, his daughter, is compelled to get engaged with Kõlgis. In order to clear her father’s debts, Betty conducts the alcohol transports from Finland herself. When Rex Ronney shows up, it has consequences…Read More » -
Arvo Kruusement – Kevade AKA Spring [+ Extras] (1969)
1961-1970Arvo KruusementDramaUSSRSemi-autobiographical story by Oskar Luts about friendship, love and life in a small Estonian country boarding school in the late 1800s.Read More »
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Mark Soosaar – Kihnu naine AKA Women from Kihnu (1974)
Arthouse1971-1980DocumentaryEstoniaMark SoosaarKihnu is one of Estonia’s islands, a small piece of land in the Gulf of Riga close to the town of Pärnu. Soosaar looks at the islanders from the point of view of an explorer, just like his filmmaking hero Robert Flaherty once did. Their traditional lifestyle unfolds in front of his camera: customary songs and rituals, and heartfelt images of people’s daily lives. The film takes an anthropological approach to filmmaking, characteristic of a style Soosaar would master in his later pictures.Read More »
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Ilmar Raag – Klass AKA The Class (2007)
2001-2010DramaEstoniaIlmar RaagQuote:
Kaspar and the class pushover Joosep are 16 and life in high school isn’t easy. Without meaning to, Kaspar defends Joosep against the bullying of his classmates, but every time Kaspar tries to him, it backfires, with the class taking it out on Joosep. Kaspar just wants his friends, his girl and his unassuming life back. Joosep wants to regain his dignity and the chance to switch to a high school far away. But their classmates are relentless, going further and further with each incident.Read More » -
Asko Kase – Detsembrikuumus AKA Decemberheat (2008)
2001-2010Asko KaseDramaEstoniaWarThe young country of Estonia is dancing to the jazzy tune of the 1920’s when on December 1, 1924, the capital Tallinn is overrun by members of the Comintern in an attempt to stage a Communist coup. The film follows the fates of a young soldier called Tanel and his wife, a telephone operator named Anna, amidst the ensuing chaos which determines whether the country remains independent or becomes a minor province in the Communist Empire.Read More »
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Kaljo Kiisk – Nipernaadi AKA Happy-Go-Lucky (1983)
1981-1990ClassicsComedyEstoniaKaljo Kiisk“Nipernaadi – The Adventurer” by Kaljo Kiisk (1983)
“I walk along gray endless road… I walk and walk”
Review by Taavi Lehari
“Nipernaadi / The Adventurer”, by Kaljo Kiisk (1983) is a sweet Estonian drama with slight humor about Toomas Nipernaadi, a vagabond who hasn’t got any past nor future.
In different Estonian places he gains new identity and presents himself as whoever – sailor, explorer, farmer etc. … whoever as long as he can seduce another young girl and promise her wealth and happiness. Every time before he has to achieve his promises, he disappears leaving everything behind. This is the first impression of this funny fellow.Read More »
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Kaljo Kiisk – Hullumeelsus aka Madness (1968)
1961-1970Kaljo KiiskUSSRWarA Gestapo officer arrives in a small asylum. His mission: to find the enemy agent who’s hiding among the insane…Read More »
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Lembit Ulfsak – Lammas all paremas nurgas AKA Sheep in the Lower Right Corner AKA The Secret Lamb (1992)
1991-2000AdventureComedyEstoniaLembit UlfsakQuote:
A warm movie about two boys, who discover a secret of a painting that was considered to be lost. The adventures begin, when a boss of a bunch of criminals finds out about the painting.Read More »