cross cutting
On the border between Estonia and Russia, a rusting Soviet tank becomes the center of a surreal battle for identity, proving that the memory of power is stronger than steel.
How to find your way home, when all bridges have been burned?
The punk band Velikije Luki stands up to Soviet power and defies hardships, until, with fortunate accidents and drunken bravado, it triggers the collapse of the Red Empire.
Ukrainian refugee children living in Estonia.
Where have the Estonian forests gone?
Astronomers with their telescopes and slime mold explorers with their microscopes, each in their own way, show the beauty of curiosity. The short documentary was completed as part of Arts of Survival Documentaries programme within the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 project.
The Estonian national team will be the first Baltic team to participate in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, a 35-year-old competition that aims to push the boundaries of green technology as a young talent. The documentary follows young Estonian engineers and software developers and tells the story through their eyes.
Documentary film about Covid19 and medical treatment related to Covid19.
Film observes the first night shift of a young guy, answering calls on the suicide helpline.
There's a crack on the same course!
Poetical documentary film of the longing for and the search of happiness between Estonia and Finland.
A film about the Estonians’ favorite folk band Kukerpillid and its spirited journey through the summer concert venues of Estonia, with interludes to the roots of Estonian folkmusic.
The documentary portrays the acclaimed Song Festival conductor and music teacher Lydia Rahula.
Film about grass.
The film gives us a look into a year in our recent history, namely the year 2019, which polarised our people in politics and between generations. Without choosing sides and without unnecessary explanations the events shown in the film create a thought provoking story about a nations arrival to the end of the industrial age.
The volunteers of the Wildlife Association rescue wild animals that have been involved in accidents as a result of human activities.
Captain Fyodor Volkonogov, a well-respected and obedient USSR law enforcer, witnesses his peers being suspiciously questioned. Sensing his turn is approaching, he escapes and is soon on the run, hunted by his former colleagues. Vulnerable and hopeless, Fyodor comes to realize what he had been part of, and that repentance is the only way for him to escape the eternal torment of Hell. But time is running out and the manhunt is closing in on him...
To create a new, you have to give up the old. As a result of the dust, physical and dirty work of construction workers the building of the former textile factory Rauaniit gives birth to a modern Art Academy.
A connection between a boy, a horse and a bird shows the way for a majestic ride.
Born to march to the rhythms of the power, they follow the promise of immortality. The film looks at the making of a Russian citizen from a fresh angle.
The film portrays Estonian rally driver Ott Tänak, one of the most elusive athletes in the eyes of the media with highly reclusive character. His self-willed tenacity has forged this stubborn country boy with a roller coaster career into a driven WRC-pilot who for the first time has in reach the fulfilment of his childhood dream – to snatch the world championship title from the equally hungry competitors.
Two political eras meet in the Estonian town of Tapa.
"Look back with me and maybe you will find out something new about documentary cinema, which is nothing else but life after death." Herz Frank.
A heartbreaking short film, where you find apocalyptic horror and motherly tenderness. Film speaks about principles of obligations and responsibility and confrontation of faith and disappointment. It`s a metaphor for mother`s strength.
If the world is blind, Allan isn’t. Allan is a man in at the age of Christ. His life is colorful. He likes cinema, cars and sports.
Estonian Muslim Kristi with Arab roots is an aid worker in a big Syrian refugee camp in Jordan.
Jaak Kilmi and Aleksandr Heifets portray seemingly random group of people who for some or another reason stand, sit or lie down while waiting in a shop queue.
Documentary film tells a story of legendary Soviet time clown Sergey Fatkin. Due to popularity he was allowed to pass iron curtain and visit 35 countries in times when many Soviets didn’t see any foreign country ever. At Paris nightclub Olympia Fatkin performed together with Jaques Brel. Later on Sergei Fatkin made a fatal mistake smuggling Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s Gulag Archipelago into the country. Officially banned book was hand copied and passed around. KGB soon traced down Sergei Fatkin and the legendary clown was arrested, liberated from his titles, awards and private possessions. Ironically – the man who had passed around a book about Soviet prisons was imprisoned for years. Nowadays Sergei Fatkin, free again, is still working modestly as a clown, performing at kindergartens mostly.
Estonian-Latvian co-production about the "established fascists" - Baltic actors who were used by the Soviet film industry to create the representation of an enemy and to recreate the image of Baltic people as fascists.
Cinéma vérité documentary about two lottery winners and their lives before and after the big victory.
Portrait documentary by Andres Maimik and Jaak Kilmi observes the parallel lives of two opposite women - Anne Eenpalu, the leader of "Home Daughters" and Tiina Jantson, activist in Estonian beauty contests. Both women take care of cultivating beauty in Estonia in their own way.
Anatomy of totalitarism. Sarcastic retrospect to the darkest era in Estonian history during 20th century.
Director Peeter Tooming has documented the story of those who fought in and for Estonia. The film has been made during the time when people were hoping and waiting for the Soviet army to leave Estonia.
Political events in Estonia in 1988 and 1989.
Documentary about the activities of new farm owner and various attitudes about re-establishing of farms.
Karl Aru, retired General Major of artillery, celebrates his 80th birthday with a festive yet official reception and introduces his home village.
Historical film directed by Kaljo Kiisk is observing the destiny of the dissenters in the bourgeois Estonia after the coup in December 1924.
Peeter Tooming has combined the portraits of a folk dance teacher, a zither maker and a danseur - his documentary expresses the endless necessity to create and fulfill one's dreams.