Movie experts pick must-see Estonian films
With the discovery of the oldest Estonian narrative film announced this week, ERR asked the leading film experts about their favorite Estonian movies to show to foreigners.
Mikk Granström (Executive Director of Children's and Youth Film Festival Just Film): In my opinion, "The Class" by Ilmar Raag is a good pick. It is an honest and straighforward film that enjoys global popularity and Raag is well known for it. The film is grim and painful to watch, but its subject matter strikes a chord in every school and community.
Helmut Jänes (Programme Creator of PÖFF): Veiko Õunpuu's "Autumn Ball" was shown in Venice and won an award there. Martti Helde's "In the Crosswinds" premiered in the Toronto Film Festival this year and is the only Estonian film included in PÖFF's international competition program. Although the number of new Estonian films is low, the ambitions and the motivations of the local cinematographers are inversely higher and the end results often highly commendable. In my personal opinion, Lembit Ulfsak's "Midlife Joys", which premiered back in 1987, is still the best-ever Estonian film. It has withstood the test of time and I continue to discover new aspects from it. It is a wonderful mix of drama and comedy with human dimension.
Mari-Liis Rebane (Director of Animated Dreams): The best known Estonian animator is definitely Priit Pärn, who just released his new animation, "Pilots on the Way Home".
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.