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The Joys of Midlife (1986)

Original title: Keskea rõõmud

Feature film | Drama | Road movie Duration 71:30

Two well-off married couples (Pille and Tõnu, Silva and Hubert) have reached the understanding that something is wrong in their lives. They pin their hopes on NIgul, the famous healer living in southern Estonia. Together with Helena, who is better equipped with esoteric knowledge, the couples set off for a cross-country car trip on a nice summer day. They are being warned during their journey that the healer won't change their lives in a second. When arriving at their destination, the couples will face an unexpected surprise.

Director: Lembit Ulfsak

Keywords: marital relationships | car ride | brutality | deficiency | esoterics | flirting | illness | hitchhiker on the road | magic treatment | feebleness | View all »

Photos and Galleries (10)

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Videos (2)

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Main Data

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Production Firm(s) Tallinnfilm
Color color
Sound sound
Film Category Full length feature, Feature film
Genre Drama, Road movie
Text / Dialogue Estonian
Dubbing Russian
Subtitles Swedish
Duration 71:30

Crew

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Director Lembit Ulfsak
Screenwriter Valentin Kuik | Andrei Dmitrijev
Cinematographer Nikolai Šarubin
Art Director Priit Vaher
Costume Designer Helve Halla
Composer Tõnu Aare
Sound Designer Jaak Elling
Editor Marju Juhkum
Content Editor Tiina Lokk
Managing Director Anne Alla

Cast

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Leading roles
Supporting roles

Arvo Kukumägi - Jüri, tractor driver | Aire Johanson - Jüri's wife | Hendrik Toompere jr - Ott, student | Ene Järvis - Helena's girlfriend | Heino Mandri - Uncle Raul | Leida Sibul - Silva's mother | Enn Kraam - MIlitia officer | Vello Janson - Militia officer

First releases

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  • at other places: 11.12.1986, Cinema House, Tallinn, Estonia
  • in cinema: 6.06.1987, Tallinn, Estonia
  • in cinema: 23.11.1987, USSR

Festivals, awards, nominations

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  • Award, Debut Films Festival of ETKVL Film Club (Tallinn, USSR), 1987, Best Director Debut: Rainbow Prize - Lembit Ulfsak; Best Cinematographer Debut - Nikolai Šarubin
  • Participation, Estonian Film Days in Helsinki (Soome), 1987
  • Participation, USSR Film Festival (USSR), 1987, Non-competition

Partners and Sponsors

  • Kultuuriministeerium
  • EFI
  • Eesti Kultuurkapital
  • ERR
  • Rahvusarhiiv
  • BFM
  • Kinoliit
  • Eesti Filmiajakirjanike ühing
  • Tallinnfilm