Well-known actors to star in new thriller filmed in Estonia
A new film, Burial, is to be filmed in Estonia this autumn, featuring several well-known actors and co-produced by Ivo Felt from the Estonian film studio Allfilm.
The movie, directed by British screenwriter Matthew James Wilkinson (Yesterday), takes place in the last days of World War II and tells the fictional story of Russian soldiers led by the woman officer Brana Vasilyeva (played by an Irish actress Niamh Algar), who must deliver Hitler's remains to Stalin, in Moscow. On the way, however, they are attacked by German partisans.
The film's co-producer, Ivo Felt, told ERR that although the movie is set in Germany and Poland, the current plan is to shoot the entire film in Estonia. "We will not film in Tallinn, most of the filming will happen in natural and in smaller locations, with many scenes take place in the forest. We will probably build some decorations, and combine the existing buildings with our own," said Felt.
Last year, Hollywood director Christopher Nolan (Dunkirk, Interstellar) filmed his new movie Tenet in Tallinn. It took place at various locations in the city including the Rotermann Quarter, the Linnahall, and Laagna tee in Lasnamäe. As reported on ERR News, Tenet was meant to air in cinemas on July 17, but Warner Bros. announced that it will be postponed to July 31 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Felt added that the film shooting has been enabled largely due to a fund called Film Estonia Cash Rebate, a repayment fund, which the Ministry of the Culture created in 2016 and where the state reimburses filmmakers up to 30 percent of the expenses made in Estonia. However, Felt himself got to know about the film through acquaintances. He is a good friend of the producer Matthew James Wilkinson, he says, and together they are to create Tanel Toome's new film Gateway 6 as well. Burial is also co-produced by Paul Higgins (Victoria & Abdul).
Felt also said that the film's making is still in the early stages, and specific plans about the filming may change. The plans were also disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic - in fact, they wanted to start shooting at the end of the summer, but now they have postponed to October and November. "The virus has affected the financing and more technical side of the film. At the moment, we are putting together the final financing model," Felt said.
The film features several well-known actors such as Tom Felton (Harry Potter), Diana Rigg (Game of Thrones), and Tom Glynn-Carney (Dunkirk). Felt added that the film shooting is happening in Estonia and Estonian residents can apply to become extras. In addition to that, the film crew mainly consists of Estonians.
According to current plans, the film should arrive at the cinemas next autumn.
--
Download the ERR News app for Android and iOS now and never miss an update!
Editor: Katriin Eikin Sein