From the Land of Skype
From the Land of Skype
From the land of Skype: A weekend of films from Estonia
Pille Runnel and Kaidi Tago from the Eesti Rahva Museum will introduce the films and be present for a discussion after the screenings.
Oct 12 and 13 at 6.30 pm
Oct 14 at 2.30 pm
Nani Cinematheque, Centre for Film and Drama
5th floor, Sona Towers, 71 Millers Road, Bangalore 560052
For directions, please click the link on the right.
Entrance for members only. Please bring your membership cards.
If you are not a member, please come to the venue half an hour before the screening and register.
SCHEDULE:
Oct 12, 6.30 pm
Victory day (2006), Dir: Meelis Muhu, 26 min
A Living Force (2003), Dir: Andres Maimik, Jaak Kilmi, 58 min
Oct 13, 6.30 pm
Choose Order (2004), Dir: Andres Maimik, 68 min
Oct 14, 2.30 pm
Afanassi (2005), Dir: Liina Triškina, 35 min
Travelling light (2006), Dir: Kullar Viimne, 52 min
SYNOPSES:
Victory day (2006), Dir: Meelis Muhu, 26 min
After Estonia became independent in 1991, most monuments of the Soviet era were removed. The Bronze Soldier, however, remained in its place. It is a statue of a soldier in a Red Army uniform with medals on his chest and a rifle slung over his shoulder. Every year on 9 may, people gather at this statue and through their behavior create a new social memory. No longer is the monument itself, but rather the ceremonies and rituals that take place around the Bronze Soldier that are important.
A Living Force (2003), Dir: Andres Maimik, Jaak Kilmi, 58 min
This laconically reserved documentary portrays three men and their background, telling us about the contradictory mentalities in post-communist Estonia before its joining of the EU. Peeter and Georg are unemployed arts scholars; Arto is a young, ambitious public relations man. Peeter, an intellectual in his prime, decided to go into freelance-journalism after a career as a literary critic, but cannot survive on his meagre assignments. Georg, a studied historian, has tried his luck at numerous temp-jobs, but has developed a rather aristocratic work-philosophy, wondering if work sets you free or should be considered a form of slavery. Astute manager Arto, on the other hand, steels himself at the gym for the daily fight that is his existence.
Choose Order (2004), Dir: Andres Maimik, 68 min
Choose Order is a provocative documentary about new tendencies in Estonian politics and the desire of the nation for an iron fist. Esto TV establishes a pro-fascist extermination squad in order to put in practice the right wing governmental party’s slogan Choose Order. Ken&Tolk investigate the conspiracy, follow the Estonian PM Juhan Parts, exterminate enemies of the state, struggle with representatives of power and explore the nation’s hidden dreams and fears. Esto TV cuts through post-communist society like a razor blade in order to reveal concealed everyday xenophobia, racism and intolerance.
Afanassi (2005), Dir: Liina Triškina, 35 min
A documentary road-movie about Liina and her grandfather, Afanassi, taking a long train ride from Estonia to his birthplace Kanino, a little village in deep Russia. Afanassi was sent from Russia to Estonia in 1951 to serve his military service. Meanwhile, much has changed – ideology of a country, borders and people. On this trip, Afanassi invited his only grandchild, Liina, with whom he has little in common. They are separated from each other by age gap, different nationalities, language barrier and years of silence. It is a journey from one homeland to another and also a journey towards each other.
Travelling light (2006), Dir: Kullar Viimne, 52 min
“Will I ever reach my destination? Getting there – departure 9.00, arrival at destination 11.48. Is the place where I arrived at 11.48 indeed my destination? Or did I want to arrive somewhere else? Was I away at all, and far away, and free?” written by Eva Koff. Four women in different ages, go for a trip to four different destination points. Four different purposes, four different opportunities. Film is dedicated to a film director Olav Neuland who died in a plane crash.
Best documentary, Estonian Film days, 2007