Cinema of Estonia
Encyclopedia
Cinema
in Estonia
(total population 1.3 million) started in 1896 when the first "moving pictures" were screened in Tallinn
. The first movie theater was opened in 1908. First local documentary was made in 1908 with the production of a newsreel
about Swedish
King Gustav V’s visit to Tallinn
. The first Estonian documentary was created by Johannes Pääsuke
in 1912 that was followed by a short film Karujaht Pärnumaal (Bear Hunt in Pärnumaa) in 1914.
in Estonia, Estonia Film Tartus (The Tartu Studio of Estonia Film), was established by Johannes Pääsuke (1892–1918). Pääsuke produced documentaries, short films and pictures of Estonian nature for the Estonian National Museum
. Karujaht Pärnumaal
(Bear-Hunt in Pärnu County, 1914) was the first fictional short film made in Estonia. In total, eight films made by J. Pääsuke have survived and are stored at the Estonian Film Archives.
The first full-length feature film was made in 1924 Shadow of the Past directed by Konstantin Märska
and produced by his Konstantin Märska Filmiproduktsioon (Konstantin Märska Film Production). Two feature films by Märska have survived: Vigased pruudid (1929) and Jüri Rumm (1929). Theodor Lutsu Filmiproduktsioon (the Film Production of Theodor Luts Studio) was established by Theodor Luts
who produced documentaries and feature films. His Noored kotkad (Young Eagles) (1927) is generally regarded as the cornerstone of Estonian cinema Smaller film production studios in Estonia included Siirius Film and K.Kalamees Tartu.
The major film production company after the Great Depression
hit Estonia during 1930s was state subsidized the Estonian Culture Film
that produced mostly documentaries.
In late 1930s, Academy Award nominated Miliza Korjus
best known for a role in The Great Waltz (1938)
, daughter of an Estonia
n lieutenant colonel
in the Imperial Russian Army and later Chief of Staff to the War Minister of Estonia, had a successful career in Hollywood film industry
The first Estonian animated short film Kutsu-Juku seiklusi was made in 1931.
Former Eesti Kultuurfilm was called Kinokroonika Tallinna Stuudio (The Tallinn Newsreel Studio) in 1942 during the German occupation
in World War II and Tallinna Kinostuudio (The Tallinn Film Studio) in 1947 again by the Soviets.
During the era two feature films on Soviet themes were produced in Estonia directed by Gerbert Rappaport, an Austrian
émigré in Soviet Union : Elu tsitadellis (Life in the Citadel) in 1947, Valgus Koordis (Light in Koordi) in 1951 that was the first color motion picture film made in Estonia.
) in Moscow provided the money, state censorship body Glavlit and CPSU
Department of Culture had the control over releasing the movies.
The Tallinn Film Studio was renamed Kunstiliste ja Kroonikafilmide Tallinna Kinostuudio (Tallinn Feature- and Newsreel Film Studio) in 1954 and in 1963 was renamed again Tallinnfilm
Some of the first films produced during the era that were co directed by an Estonian Kaljo Kiisk were Juunikuu päevad (1957) and Vallatud kurvid(1959).
In the 1960s a story of Prince Gabriel
by Estonian writer Eduard Bornhöhe
was turned into a movie script by Arvo Valton
. Grigori Kromanov
was named to be the director of Viimne reliikvia
(The Last Relic) , released in 1969 by Tallinnfilm. The movie set the absolute box office record for the entire Soviet Union at the time by selling 44,9 million tickets. It was successfully distributed by the Soviet film export internationally in more than 60 countries. The film also influenced Estonian literature: 2 short stories listed for the Friedebert Tuglas
award in 1970-75 included references to the Last Relic.
Another milestone in Estonian Cinema released in 1969 was Arvo Kruusement
's Kevade
(Spring) based on Oskar Luts
popular novel.
Successful films in the 1980s were "Hukkunud Alpinisti" hotell (Dead Mountaineer's Hotel) by Kromanov and movies made by Kaljo Kiisk such as Nipernaadi (1983).
The most prominent female director Leida Laius who emerged during the era is best known for her Kõrboja peremees (1979) and Naerata ometi (1985) receiving at the Berlin International Film Festival
UNICEF Award in 1985. Peeter Simm's best known Soviet era film is Ideaalmaastik (The Ideal Landscape) released in 1980. Peeter Urbla's Ma pole turist, ma elan siin (I'm Not a Tourist, I'm Living Here) (1988). Jaan Kolgerg emerged by the end of Soviet era with films See kadunud tee (1990) (The Lost Way) and Võlausaldajad (Creditors) (1992)
Among the leading Estonian film actors during the Soviet era were Rein Aren with about 30 roles, Jüri Järvet
and Leonhard Merzin.
In 1997, the Estonian Film Foundation
was founded by the Estonian Ministry of Culture. Production of Minu Leninid (All My Lenins) (1997) a parody of Soviet Revolution by Hardi Volmer
marked a turnaround for Estonian feature films. In 1998, there were two feature films produced. Georgica directed by Sulev Keedus won the FIPRESCI Prize at the Stockholm Film Festival in 1998 and the Prix Europa Special at Prix Europa
in 1999.
Since then, the trend has also been towards joint film productions such as Peeter Simm's Head käed (Good Hands) (2001) a joint Estonian-Latvian coproduction that in 20025 won the Manfred Salzgeber Award at the Berlin International Film Festival
and the Golden Olive Tree
Lecce Festival of European Cinema in Italy. Kõrini (Fed Up) (2005) an Estonian-German coproduction. Arvo Iho' s Karu süda (Hart of the Bear) (2001) nominated for Golden St. George at the Moscow International Film Festival and for the European Film Award at European Film Awards, was a coproduction between Estonia, Germany, Russia and the Czech Republic.
The most commercially successful Estonian film in 2002 was Nimed marmortahvlil
(2002) (Names in Marble) by Elmo Nüganen and in 2003 a comedy by Rando Pettai Vanad ja kobedad saavad jalad alla (Made in Estonia) that in Estonia topped the international blockbuster The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers with its box office results.
In 2004, two young directors emerged Jaak Kilmi and René Reinumägi
with their Sigade revolutsioon
(Revolution of Pigs) that won the Special Jury Prize and was nominated for Golden St. George at the Moscow International Film Festival
, and for Grand Prix Asturias at the Gijón International Film Festival
.
In 2007, about 10 feature films were made in Estonia. Most notable perhaps Sügisball (2007) by Veiko Õunpuu receiving among other awards Best Director at the Thessaloniki Film Festival, International Film Festival Bratislava
and Venice Horizons Award at the 64th Venice International Film Festival
. Georg (2007) by Peeter Simm is a movie about the life of legendary Estonian singer Georg Ots
.
Most recent awarded film is Veiko Õunpuu's The Temptation of St. Tony
(2009)
division Nukufilm in Tallinnfilm Studio. The first film was titled Peetrikese unenägu based on a Danish writer Jens Sigsgaard's children story Palle alene i verden. Joonisfilm a traditional cell animation
division of Tallinnfilm was founded by Rein Raamat
in 1971. Films like Põld(1978) nominee for Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival
in 1979; Lend (1973) the winner of Special Jury Award at the Zagreb World Festival of Animated Films
; the Suur Tõll (1980) 2nd place at Ottawa International Animation Festival
in 1982 and Põrgu (Hell) (1983) the winner of FIPRESCI Prize and Special Jury Award at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival
made Raamat the first internationally recognized Estonian animation director.
Since Estonia regained independence in 1991 Nukufilm and Joonisfilm continued to operate as private companies owned by the filmmakers. During the era internationally most successful Estonian animation director has been Priit Pärn
the winner of Grand Prize at the Ottawa International Animation Festival
in 1998 for Porgandite öö (Night of the Carrots).
Crocodile by Kaspar Jancis was selected to be the Best European Anima film at Cartoon d'or
2010.
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
in Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
(total population 1.3 million) started in 1896 when the first "moving pictures" were screened in Tallinn
Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
. The first movie theater was opened in 1908. First local documentary was made in 1908 with the production of a newsreel
Newsreel
A newsreel was a form of short documentary film prevalent in the first half of the 20th century, regularly released in a public presentation place and containing filmed news stories and items of topical interest. It was a source of news, current affairs and entertainment for millions of moviegoers...
about Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
King Gustav V’s visit to Tallinn
Tallinn
Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
. The first Estonian documentary was created by Johannes Pääsuke
Johannes Pääsuke
Johannes Pääsuke was an Estonian photographer and filmmaker.-Life:Very little is known of the youth of Johannes Pääsuke, the fourth of six children to a comfortably-off couple living in Tartu, Livonia, Russian Empire. Johannes's siblings were well educated, but all that is known about Johannes's...
in 1912 that was followed by a short film Karujaht Pärnumaal (Bear Hunt in Pärnumaa) in 1914.
1912—1918
The first movie studioMovie studio
A movie studio is a term used to describe a major entertainment company or production company that has its own privately owned studio facility or facilities that are used to film movies...
in Estonia, Estonia Film Tartus (The Tartu Studio of Estonia Film), was established by Johannes Pääsuke (1892–1918). Pääsuke produced documentaries, short films and pictures of Estonian nature for the Estonian National Museum
Estonian National Museum
The Estonian National Museum founded 1909 in Tartu is a museum devoted to folklorist Jakob Hurt's heritage, to Estonian ethnography and folk art...
. Karujaht Pärnumaal
Karujaht Pärnumaal
Karujaht Pärnumaal is the first Estonian narrative film 1914, directed by Johannes Pääsuke....
(Bear-Hunt in Pärnu County, 1914) was the first fictional short film made in Estonia. In total, eight films made by J. Pääsuke have survived and are stored at the Estonian Film Archives.
1918—1940
Konstantin Märska
Konstantin Märska was an Estonian cinematographer.Märska is buried at the Rahumäe cemetery in Tallinn.-External links:...
and produced by his Konstantin Märska Filmiproduktsioon (Konstantin Märska Film Production). Two feature films by Märska have survived: Vigased pruudid (1929) and Jüri Rumm (1929). Theodor Lutsu Filmiproduktsioon (the Film Production of Theodor Luts Studio) was established by Theodor Luts
Theodor Luts
Theodor Luts an Estonian film director and cinematographer, brother of an Estonian classic writer Oskar Luts, was the first major figure of Estonian cinematography...
who produced documentaries and feature films. His Noored kotkad (Young Eagles) (1927) is generally regarded as the cornerstone of Estonian cinema Smaller film production studios in Estonia included Siirius Film and K.Kalamees Tartu.
The major film production company after the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
hit Estonia during 1930s was state subsidized the Estonian Culture Film
Estonian Culture Film
The Estonian Culture Film was a state-subsidized movie studio established in Estonia in 1931 by the Ministry of Culture. During the first years of existence the studio mostly distributed films....
that produced mostly documentaries.
In late 1930s, Academy Award nominated Miliza Korjus
Miliza Korjus
Miliza Elizabeth Korjus was an Estonian coloratura soprano opera singer, who later appeared in Hollywood films.-Early life:...
best known for a role in The Great Waltz (1938)
The Great Waltz (film)
The Great Waltz is a 1938 American biographical film based very loosely on the life of Johann Strauss II. It starred Luise Rainer, Fernand Gravet and Miliza Korjus. Rainer received top billing at the producer's insistence, but her role is comparatively minor as Strauss' wife, Poldi Volgelhuber...
, daughter of an Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
n lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
in the Imperial Russian Army and later Chief of Staff to the War Minister of Estonia, had a successful career in Hollywood film industry
The first Estonian animated short film Kutsu-Juku seiklusi was made in 1931.
1940—1953
During the first year of Soviet Occupation (1940–1941) Eesti Kultuurfilm was taken over by the Communist Party and renamed Kinokroonika Eesti Stuudio (the Estonian Newsreel Studio). During the first decades of Soviet rule as Estonia became a part of USSR in 1944 after the end of World War II, filmmakers in Estonia were mostly coming from inner Soviet Union whose job was to create propaganda films that depicted the victory of socialism in a form of newsreels and documentaries.Former Eesti Kultuurfilm was called Kinokroonika Tallinna Stuudio (The Tallinn Newsreel Studio) in 1942 during the German occupation
Occupation of Estonia by Nazi Germany
After Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, Army Group North reached Estonia in July.Initially the Germans were perceived by most Estonians as liberators from the USSR and its repressions, having arrived only a week after the first mass deportations from the Baltics...
in World War II and Tallinna Kinostuudio (The Tallinn Film Studio) in 1947 again by the Soviets.
During the era two feature films on Soviet themes were produced in Estonia directed by Gerbert Rappaport, an Austrian
Austrians
Austrians are a nation and ethnic group, consisting of the population of the Republic of Austria and its historical predecessor states who share a common Austrian culture and Austrian descent....
émigré in Soviet Union : Elu tsitadellis (Life in the Citadel) in 1947, Valgus Koordis (Light in Koordi) in 1951 that was the first color motion picture film made in Estonia.
1953—1991
After the death of Stalin in 1953 a more liberal period in Soviet Union's cultural policies followed. Filmmakers started to enjoy greater artistic control at the same time the Soviet State Committee for Cinematography (GoskinoGoskino
Goskino USSR is the abbreviated name for the USSR State Committee for Cinematography in the Soviet Union...
) in Moscow provided the money, state censorship body Glavlit and CPSU
Communist Party of the Soviet Union
The Communist Party of the Soviet Union was the only legal, ruling political party in the Soviet Union and one of the largest communist organizations in the world...
Department of Culture had the control over releasing the movies.
The Tallinn Film Studio was renamed Kunstiliste ja Kroonikafilmide Tallinna Kinostuudio (Tallinn Feature- and Newsreel Film Studio) in 1954 and in 1963 was renamed again Tallinnfilm
Tallinnfilm
Tallinnfilm is the oldest still functional film studio in Estonia. Originally founded as Estonian Culture Film in 1931, the studio was nationalized in 1940 after Estonia was forced into Soviet Union. During the first year of Soviet Occupation Eesti Kultuurfilm was taken over by the Communist Party...
Some of the first films produced during the era that were co directed by an Estonian Kaljo Kiisk were Juunikuu päevad (1957) and Vallatud kurvid(1959).
In the 1960s a story of Prince Gabriel
Furst Gabriel or Last Days of the Pirita Monastery
Furst Gabriel or Last Days of the Pirita Monastery is an Estonian historical novelle by Eduard Bornhöhe.This historical story, first published in 1893, is the last of Eduard Bornhöhe's historical novelles, as in 1893, the Russian Empire's censorship prohibited publication of historical novelles,...
by Estonian writer Eduard Bornhöhe
Eduard Bornhöhe
Eduard Bornhöhe , born Eduard Brunberg , was an Estonian writer.Bornhöhe is generally considered a pioneer of the genre of Estonian historical novel, as a lion's share of his creations consist of romanticism-influenced historical adventure stories.- Bibliography :*1880 Tasuja *1890 Villu võitlused...
was turned into a movie script by Arvo Valton
Arvo Valton
Arvo Vallikivi , commonly known under the pen name of Arvo Valton, is an Estonian writer known for a number of books and, among other things, the script for Viimne reliikvia, the highly successful movie adaptation of Eduard Bornhöhe's Vürst Gabriel ehk Pirita kloostri viimsed päevad...
. Grigori Kromanov
Grigori Kromanov
Grigori Kromanov was an Estonian theatre and film director. He directed some of the most known Estonian movies, including Viimne reliikvia and "Hukkunud Alpinisti" hotell .- External links :...
was named to be the director of Viimne reliikvia
Viimne reliikvia
Viimne reliikvia is a 1969 Estonian film adaptation of Vürst Gabriel ehk Pirita kloostri viimsed päevad , a historical novel by Eduard Bornhöhe...
(The Last Relic) , released in 1969 by Tallinnfilm. The movie set the absolute box office record for the entire Soviet Union at the time by selling 44,9 million tickets. It was successfully distributed by the Soviet film export internationally in more than 60 countries. The film also influenced Estonian literature: 2 short stories listed for the Friedebert Tuglas
Friedebert Tuglas
Friedebert Tuglas was an Estonian writer and critic who introduced Impressionism and Symbolism to Estonian literature. Persecuted under the czar, he became an acknowledged representative of Estonian literature in the Soviet era.-Biography:The son of a carpenter, Tuglas studied at the Hugo Treffner...
award in 1970-75 included references to the Last Relic.
Another milestone in Estonian Cinema released in 1969 was Arvo Kruusement
Arvo Kruusement
Arvo Kruusement is an Estonian actor, theatre and film director who has made some of Estonia's classic novels into films Spring and Fall The movie Spring has been noted as the best Estonian feature film in the Top Ten Poll hold by Estonian film critics and journalists in 2002...
's Kevade
Spring (film)
The Spring directed by Arvo Kruusement is a film adaptation of Oskar Luts popular novel bearing the same title. . The movie received the first place in the Estonian feature films Top Ten Poll in 2002 held by Estonian film critics and journalists. In 1970 the movie sold 558,000 tickets in...
(Spring) based on Oskar Luts
Oskar Luts
-Biography:Oskar Luts was born into a middle-class family in central Estonia, at that time in the government of Livonia . He attended Änkküla village school in 1894. He went to Palamuse Parish parish school in Jõgeva County, attending from 1895–1899. From 1899–1902 he studied at the Tartu...
popular novel.
Successful films in the 1980s were "Hukkunud Alpinisti" hotell (Dead Mountaineer's Hotel) by Kromanov and movies made by Kaljo Kiisk such as Nipernaadi (1983).
The most prominent female director Leida Laius who emerged during the era is best known for her Kõrboja peremees (1979) and Naerata ometi (1985) receiving at the Berlin International Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
UNICEF Award in 1985. Peeter Simm's best known Soviet era film is Ideaalmaastik (The Ideal Landscape) released in 1980. Peeter Urbla's Ma pole turist, ma elan siin (I'm Not a Tourist, I'm Living Here) (1988). Jaan Kolgerg emerged by the end of Soviet era with films See kadunud tee (1990) (The Lost Way) and Võlausaldajad (Creditors) (1992)
Among the leading Estonian film actors during the Soviet era were Rein Aren with about 30 roles, Jüri Järvet
Jüri Järvet
Jüri Järvet was an Estonian actor. His name sometimes appears as Yuri Yevgenyevich Yarvet, an incorrect back-transliteration from the Russian transliteration . His birthname was Georgi Kuznetsov, and he took the Estonian form in 1938.Järvet is best known in the West for the role of Dr...
and Leonhard Merzin.
Since 1991
After the collapse of the Soviet Union Estonia regained its independence, the cost of filmmaking skyrocketed and the 1990s showed decline in filmmaking that reached its bottom in 1996, the year when no fictional films and only 2 documentaries Lipule... güüsile... valvel! and Turvalisuse illusioon were made in Estonia.In 1997, the Estonian Film Foundation
Estonian Film Foundation
The Estonian Film Foundation is Estonia's public film funding organization financed from the state budget of the Republic of Estonia. Founded in 1997 by the Estonian Ministry of Culture, the foundation finances and promotes film productions where at least one participating producers is an...
was founded by the Estonian Ministry of Culture. Production of Minu Leninid (All My Lenins) (1997) a parody of Soviet Revolution by Hardi Volmer
Hardi Volmer
Hardi Volmer is an Estonian film director, puppet theatre set decorator and musician. Volmer is the singer in the Estonian punkrockband Singer Vinger.- Animated cartoons :*"Imeline nääriöö"...
marked a turnaround for Estonian feature films. In 1998, there were two feature films produced. Georgica directed by Sulev Keedus won the FIPRESCI Prize at the Stockholm Film Festival in 1998 and the Prix Europa Special at Prix Europa
Prix Europa
Prix Europa is the Europe's largest annual tri-medial festival and competition. Its open juries sample and select the best television-, radio- and online productions of each year...
in 1999.
Since then, the trend has also been towards joint film productions such as Peeter Simm's Head käed (Good Hands) (2001) a joint Estonian-Latvian coproduction that in 20025 won the Manfred Salzgeber Award at the Berlin International Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
and the Golden Olive Tree
Lecce Festival of European Cinema in Italy. Kõrini (Fed Up) (2005) an Estonian-German coproduction. Arvo Iho' s Karu süda (Hart of the Bear) (2001) nominated for Golden St. George at the Moscow International Film Festival and for the European Film Award at European Film Awards, was a coproduction between Estonia, Germany, Russia and the Czech Republic.
The most commercially successful Estonian film in 2002 was Nimed marmortahvlil
Names in Marble (film)
Names in Marble is an Estonian 2002 film directed by Elmo Nüganen. It is based on the novel of the same name written by Albert Kivikas in 1936 about the Estonian War of Independence fought in 1918-1920.-Cast:* Henn Ahas – Priit Võigemast...
(2002) (Names in Marble) by Elmo Nüganen and in 2003 a comedy by Rando Pettai Vanad ja kobedad saavad jalad alla (Made in Estonia) that in Estonia topped the international blockbuster The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers with its box office results.
In 2004, two young directors emerged Jaak Kilmi and René Reinumägi
René Reinumägi
René Reinumägi is an Estonian film director, scriptwriter and actor,. With Jaak Kilmi he shares nomination for Grand Prix Asturias at the Gijón International Film Festival, nomination for Golden St...
with their Sigade revolutsioon
Revolution of Pigs
The Revolution of Pigs is an Estonian movie that was a feature film debut for 2 young Estonian directors René Reinumägi and Jaak Kilmi. Fueled by a great soundtrack of classic ‘80s pop, the revolution is brewing...
(Revolution of Pigs) that won the Special Jury Prize and was nominated for Golden St. George at the Moscow International Film Festival
Moscow International Film Festival
Moscow International Film Festival , is the film festival first held in Moscow in 1959. From its inception to 1995 it was held every second year in July, alternating with the Karlovy Vary festival. The festival has been held annually since 1995....
, and for Grand Prix Asturias at the Gijón International Film Festival
Gijón International Film Festival
Gijón International Film Festival was created in 1963. It was born as an initiative of the local authority and it was sponsored mainly by Gijón City Council and the then Caja de Ahorros de Asturias ; both institutions are still the main organisers of the festival, along with funding from the...
.
In 2007, about 10 feature films were made in Estonia. Most notable perhaps Sügisball (2007) by Veiko Õunpuu receiving among other awards Best Director at the Thessaloniki Film Festival, International Film Festival Bratislava
International Film Festival Bratislava
The International Film Festival Bratislava is an international film festival established in 1999 and held annually in Bratislava, Slovakia....
and Venice Horizons Award at the 64th Venice International Film Festival
64th Venice International Film Festival
The 64th Venice International Film Festival, held in Venice, Italy, opened on August 29, 2007, with Joe Wright's Atonement and closed September 8, 2007. Host of the event was Italian soubrette Ambra Angiolini. The Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to American director Tim...
. Georg (2007) by Peeter Simm is a movie about the life of legendary Estonian singer Georg Ots
Georg Ots
Georg Ots, People's Artist of the USSR was an Estonian opera singer...
.
Most recent awarded film is Veiko Õunpuu's The Temptation of St. Tony
The Temptation of St. Tony
The Temptation of St. Tony is a 2009 Estonian film written and directed by Veiko Õunpuu, starring Taavi Eelmaa. The plot has been described as a black comedy and centers around a successful, middle aged man who becomes interested in questions about morality...
(2009)
TOP 10
The Estonian feature films Top Ten Poll in 2002 by Estonian film critics and journalists- KevadeSpring (film)The Spring directed by Arvo Kruusement is a film adaptation of Oskar Luts popular novel bearing the same title. . The movie received the first place in the Estonian feature films Top Ten Poll in 2002 held by Estonian film critics and journalists. In 1970 the movie sold 558,000 tickets in...
(1969) directed by Arvo KruusementArvo KruusementArvo Kruusement is an Estonian actor, theatre and film director who has made some of Estonia's classic novels into films Spring and Fall The movie Spring has been noted as the best Estonian feature film in the Top Ten Poll hold by Estonian film critics and journalists in 2002... - Hullumeelsus (1968) directed by Kaljo Kiisk
- Ideaalmaastik (1980) directed by Peeter Simm
- Viimne reliikviaViimne reliikviaViimne reliikvia is a 1969 Estonian film adaptation of Vürst Gabriel ehk Pirita kloostri viimsed päevad , a historical novel by Eduard Bornhöhe...
(1969) directed by Grigori KromanovGrigori KromanovGrigori Kromanov was an Estonian theatre and film director. He directed some of the most known Estonian movies, including Viimne reliikvia and "Hukkunud Alpinisti" hotell .- External links :... - Georgica (1998) directed by Sulev Keedus
- Nipernaadi (1993) directed by Kaljo Kiisk
- "Hukkunud Alpinisti" hotell (1979) directed by Grigori KromanovGrigori KromanovGrigori Kromanov was an Estonian theatre and film director. He directed some of the most known Estonian movies, including Viimne reliikvia and "Hukkunud Alpinisti" hotell .- External links :...
- Naerata ometi (1985) directed by Leida Laius, Arvo Iho
- Põrgupõhja uus Vanapagan (1964) directed by Grigori KromanovGrigori KromanovGrigori Kromanov was an Estonian theatre and film director. He directed some of the most known Estonian movies, including Viimne reliikvia and "Hukkunud Alpinisti" hotell .- External links :...
, Jüri Müür - Tuulte pesa (1979) directed by Olav Neuland
Estonian Animation
Estonian animation tradition dates back to the 1930s when the first experimental films were made. The only surviving short film from the era is Kutsu-Juku seiklusi (Adventures of Juku the dog) (1931). After the Great Depression, WW II and Soviet Occupation interrupted the development, Estonian animation was reborn in 1958. Elbert Tuganov founded a puppet filmPuppetoon
Puppetoon animation is a type of replacement animation, which is itself a type of stop-motion animation. In traditional stop-motion, the puppets are made with movable parts which are repositioned between frames to create the illusion of motion when the frames are played in rapid sequence...
division Nukufilm in Tallinnfilm Studio. The first film was titled Peetrikese unenägu based on a Danish writer Jens Sigsgaard's children story Palle alene i verden. Joonisfilm a traditional cell animation
Traditional animation
Traditional animation, is an animation technique where each frame is drawn by hand...
division of Tallinnfilm was founded by Rein Raamat
Rein Raamat
Rein Raamat is an Estonian animation film director, artist and screenwriter. He is the first internationally successful Estonian animator and along with Elbert Tuganov is regarded as the "Father of Estonian Animation"...
in 1971. Films like Põld(1978) nominee for Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
in 1979; Lend (1973) the winner of Special Jury Award at the Zagreb World Festival of Animated Films
Zagreb World Festival of Animated Films
Animafest Zagreb, also known as World Festival of Animated Film in Zagreb, is an annual festival dedicated to animated film held in Zagreb, Croatia. Initiated by the International Animated Film Association, the event was established in 1972 at the time when Croatia was part of SFR Yugoslavia)...
; the Suur Tõll (1980) 2nd place at Ottawa International Animation Festival
Ottawa International Animation Festival
-History:In 1976, the Canadian Film Institute founded the biennial Ottawa International Animation Festival . First held August 10 to 15, 1976, the OIAF created a gathering place for North American animation professionals and enthusiasts to ponder the craft and business of animation...
in 1982 and Põrgu (Hell) (1983) the winner of FIPRESCI Prize and Special Jury Award at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival
Annecy International Animated Film Festival
The Annecy International Animation Film Festival was created in 1960 and takes place at the beginning of June in the town of Annecy, France. Initially occurring every two years, the festival became annual in 1998...
made Raamat the first internationally recognized Estonian animation director.
Since Estonia regained independence in 1991 Nukufilm and Joonisfilm continued to operate as private companies owned by the filmmakers. During the era internationally most successful Estonian animation director has been Priit Pärn
Priit Pärn
Priit Pärn is an Estonian cartoonist and animation director whose films have enjoyed success among critics as well as the public at various film festivals....
the winner of Grand Prize at the Ottawa International Animation Festival
Ottawa International Animation Festival
-History:In 1976, the Canadian Film Institute founded the biennial Ottawa International Animation Festival . First held August 10 to 15, 1976, the OIAF created a gathering place for North American animation professionals and enthusiasts to ponder the craft and business of animation...
in 1998 for Porgandite öö (Night of the Carrots).
Crocodile by Kaspar Jancis was selected to be the Best European Anima film at Cartoon d'or
Cartoon d'or
The Cartoon d’Or is the pan-European award for animation short films. It rewards every year the best one since only prize-winning films from Cartoon’s partner festivals can compete....
2010.
See also
- Cinema of the world
- List of Estonian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
External links
- Cinéma estonien
- Estonian Film Foundation (in English and Estonian)
- Shooting Guide Estonia (in English)