Reviews

On thing I don't understand is why is Peeter Simm so celebrated as a film director in Estonia almost like he's the greatest filmmaker ever risen on the shores of Baltic Sea. His best film is children's movie 'Arabella' (that itself is wonderful film actually), but rest of his work is mediocre at best, and 'The Lonely Island' is even worse. This could be his worst film of all times, and it is very close to be one of the worst Estonian film of all times (there are quite close competition on that place, but I can't say for sure as I haven't seen all the films).

The film had a nice general idea about loneliness and show different people and stories and how they are all tied together - similar formulas have been tried many times before (and with much better results). What we have here is a mess. No direction and sloppy editing can confuse the viewer at first, but when he gets used of the rhythm (or lack of the rhythm of the film) it is possible to follow the stories. As all the stories progressing one short scene at the time and they are all mixed together, we are shown too much unnecessary stuff and no useful information what could help viewer to understand the characters better.

Then the actors - what' with all that dubbed voices. I understand that there were Latvian and Belarussian actors in it, but all the dubbing made the film sound ridiculous (it already looked ridiculous). Even the voices of Estonian actors were coming through like some filter that muffled and distorted them. Even the other sound were added later - like the police cars sirens (it is a film, but reality the sirens are different, or a super bike sounding like motor cross bike (that is the final drop for me to give one star to the film), and all sorts of that stuff.

There were two or three brilliant moments, but the vanished in this mess like a drop of water in the desert.

Almost forgotten and always overlooked haunting film about deportation of Estonian citizens by Soviet authorities in 1949. The film is important not only because it is the first Estonian (and overall) film that depicts deportations committed under Soviet regime, but it also shows how much part Estonian hanger-ons played in these atrocities. In that sense the film is well balanced - there are cruel and brutal government workers and there are those who are haunted by their ugly deeds, there are innocent victims of deportation and there are people who tried to play on both sides and got burned.

This film is the first of it's kind, but no other film came after that has never been so brutal. By that I don't mean much on screen physical violence, but more psychological aspects. There are many quiet moments with no dialogue or narration when we just see characters looking out of the window or staring at the distance, and the pain in their faces are telling more than words - we know there can be no happy ending.

Probably the only serious Estonian science fiction film after the 'Dead Mountaineer Hotel' (1979). This 29 minute short film seems little bit amateurish by it's production values, and low budget shines through like a flashlight. The only high point of the is the acting by its two leads. This all combined gives the film nice B-movie charm, and definitely somewhat enjoyable and entertaining sci-fi piece.

Some people call it classic, some call it serious science fiction, I call it the only real Estonian B-movie.

'Naugthy Curves' (Vallatud kurvid) is probably the most Hollywood like Estonian movie of all times. And considering the era the film was made, it is definitely the most escapist one. The film used every pat of the formula that was used in Hollywood rom-coms in the fifties - similar story, set-up, jokes and puns, character traits and overall mood of the film. Lighthearted classic tale about mix up of two identical twins. But by the 1959 the Hollywood (and rest of the world) had gone tired of these sort of films, so one can say 'Naughty Curves' is too 1952 for 1959. It is well made film and one have to take the circumstances and opportunities how this film was made into consideration - Stalin was still fresh memory, and Western World was behind heavy curtains.

For Estonian film goers - especially the older generation - the film is still popular mostly because of nostalgic reasons, although it is wonderful comedy, but not as great as some people say.

This is another wonderful piece of Eastern, a Eastern-German sub-genre of Western. The fast paced and action packed Gojko Mitic vehicle is rather enjoyable watching. It has its flaws, but it also has a charm. The cinematography is almost fantastic, and the use of Georgian (that was part of the USSR at that time) mountains give some authentic Western feel. Although it was weird to see the town built in the pine forest. Mitic again stars as Native-American hero fighting against white man's injustice. An evil Tycoon Snaky-Joe (Hannjo Hasse who has uncanny resemblance of Hollywood's evil guy legend John Carradine) is trying every possible sneaky ways to force Indians out of their land. Chief Farsighted Falcon sees through the plans to deceit the Indians, and starts fighting back. As these Red-Westerns were kind of part of Communistic propaganda machine, the Indians (Reds) were depicted flawless and Whites were all merciless and greedy (with few exceptions like Sam Blake and Emmersons, but they were sort of cowards). Like I said, the film has its charm, and I would dare to recommend it to any serious Western fans, and to people who are just into peculiar obscure movies.

'Kormoranid' tries to be clever music film about legendary rock band, but it fails in so many levels. Too much banal fart jokes and too few subtle moments. Also the film tries to emulate too much from worn out Hollywood formula - unlikable underdog character finally achieving his goals and finding redemption. The film had good opportunity to satirize music industry, but it failed with focusing mainly tasteless humor and leaving out everything that could tickle a intelligence a bit. There are some moments, and it has cool soundtrack (mostly written by Estonian rock band Kolumbus Kris), but it fails to deliver coherent story with likable characters and smart jokes. Silly film that can be entertaining enough when you are able to shut down your brain.

After watching 'Indrek' I realized one thing - Estonian cinema is not so much director's art rather than writer's and actor's art. There are enough great, good, or simply entertaining films, but not like auteur pieces. 'Indrek' is good and entertaining, the top notch acting, and well written script. But the direction is bit off - pacing is alright and there are some nice shots and camera movements, but there is also many weird and out of place editing that kind off ruins the flow of the film. Altogether, it is a nice film with its own peculiar charm.

Also, it seems that Estonians tend to take too many things with satire and sarcasm, that these heavy drama films consist much more warm and subtle humor than these forced Estonian comedies.

This is one of those animated films I never learned to appreciate - I hated it as a kid, and I hate it now. Maybe not quite hate, because hate is such strong emotion, but I heavily dislike the film and it's main protagonist. As the main character, a boy named Ott, is basically the only character we get to know properly throughout the 20 minutes, it is important that he should be a likable. But he is not, he is annoying stupid brat, and the thing is - he stays like that through the film without even showing us the intentions to become better person. It's not that the character is disgusting brat, but he is depicted as such unsympathetic way, almost like sociopath, but unlike Dexter Morgan or Patrick Bateman who are extremely likable, Ott is not. He's just a douche bag. The film would have worked when the character would have been like charismatic prankster who learns one or two about the life by the end of the film.

Maybe it has something to do with the doll, but that doesn't change the fact that Ott is one very unpleasant kid who should have stayed on the Mars.

That was the last famous line from this wonderful animation when in the final scene a smart bee trying to educate a butterfly with facts about honey and honeybees, but she just silently flies off.

This is a sweet animation, but making nothing like this wouldn't be allowed today. The film is sweet, but it has pretty heavy moments with loved character dying and couple of others getting killed in brutal sword fight (it's actually amazing how this fight scene with bee puppets are much more authentic and brutal than many live action scenes).

It is mostly an educational film about bees and honey, but it also tells a story about growing up and facing the consequences of your actions and dealing with reality. Something most films (including Estonian ones) are missing now days.

It might be about honey, but it can't always be sweet like honey.

'The Last Relic' is one of the most beloved movie in Estonia. Wonderful characters, nice location shots, lighthearted adventure and clever humor. Again. Estonians love humor.

Director Grigori Kromanov's first intentions were to create serious historical philosophical movie exploring the mythos of free man, but he was force to take much adventurous-romantic view point. The witty dialogue and catchy songs (that has became classics their own) really carry the film. And the songs, did the authors intend it or not, have actually quite deep meanings, and add quite much to the director's wanted philosophical point. The film is also historically quite inaccurate - the character of Ivo Schenkenberg has gotten very free artistic interpretation in this film. He is real historical person, but was known as heroic fighter and leader of Estonian fighters against Russian army in Livonian War. Of course, Soviet regime didn't like depicting him as a heroic character in the film. That aside, Schenkenberg played by Peeter Jakobi is probably one of the most memorable characters in Estonian cinema.

The sword fight scenes look dame even compared to it's contemporaries. One part of that can be blamed the Soviet regime who had quite heavy regulations considering fighting and violence on the screen. At least we can get a glimpse of Ingrida Andrina's (Agnes) nipples, that somehow past the eyes of censor.

'A Lady in Paris' is pretty mediocre film, it's not bad at all - script is well structured (although trivial with its theme), acting is from finest class, direction is smooth and without too many stylish exravanganzas. The film is not bad, it is quite good actually - technically speaking. But the problem is - it is not very memorable. The film has all the elements to be good drama or comedy, but it lacks something. For me the film felt lifeless - the two main actors did stellar job, but their dialogue was boring. It was very easy to let ones mind to wonder while watching the film. Not bad, not good, simply unmemorable.

Even other reviews for this film were boring.

Sometimes watching Estonian films I get the feel, like watching some Roger Corman directed movie but with first rate acting and dramatization. Metskapten (Forrest Captain?) is exactly like that - the low budget shines trough in every scene, but director Kalju Komissarov have managed to cleverly hide it as much as possible. The camera angels and settings are in such a way that we get the feel that the action is taking place on enormous cargo ship. The script is tight and well put together.

Of course, who needs some fancy sets and special effects when we have Jüri Järvet - one of the greatest actors of his generation, and I don't mean only in Estonia, but in the whole scene of world cinema (and theater). Here he also give very nuanced and mesmerizing performance as Kihnu Jõnn, and is supported by strong performances which doesn't suffocate each other.

Simply fantastic film. Simple, but striking.

Gojko Mitic was a huge star in Eastern-Europe back in the days. Now days he has gained somewhat cult hero status mostly because of his portrayals of Native American heroes in Red Westerns or Easterns as they are sometimes referred. These films are becoming to come to surface again, but more like peculiarities and something people want to see out of curiosity.

'Chingachgook' was one of the most popular of the East German westerns where superstar Gojko Mitic played the main hero - The Great Serpent. Chingachgook - the last of the Mohicans - lives now with Delaware tribe. After saving the chief's life he is granted to marry the chief's daughter. Unfortunately his new wife is kidnapped by Huron tribe, and Chingachgook sets out to save her with the help of his good white friend Deerslayer.

The acting is so deadpan it is almost hilarious to watch, and the action scenes are pretty dame compared to it's contemporaries from Spaghetti or real western genre. Native Americans are played by Eastern-European actors, mostly Germans with bronzed skin. This could be seen quite offensive now days by some.

All said, the film has it's own charm in it, and it is definitely not a waste of time.

'Here We Are' is a timeless classic that combines fantastic physical comedy with witty dialogue. This was last feature multi talented director Sulev Nõmmik directed. And he was in his best form while doing it. Such a smart writing - so many quotable lines and subtle humor. And the film is timeless, because such human types still exists - very down to earth intelligent rural people, and higher class full of themselves big city folks. Although there are some subtle jokes about Soviet regime (The government is good at the moment, but they demand too much from our children - only study, study study.) most jokes are just about our own human nature.

Not to mention the opening scene of the film - aerial shot of the island with that wonderful song playing. It is probably the only moment in Estonian movie that give me genuine chills, the good chills.

'Young Pensioner' is the weakest in Sulev Nõmmik's great comedy trilogy compared with 'Men Don't Cry' or with 'Here We Are', but nonetheless it's is still entertaining comedy with over the top slapstick and some subtleties. The story is very generic love story in heavy slapstick sauce that occasionally goes bit too far with becoming simply banal. The film might be too silly for some tastes (at least it is to me), but the fantastic dialogue is worth to suffer through some silly monkeying. The genius of the writing actually lies in the punchlines that end every heavy slapstick scene with such a punch that after being annoyed by couple of minutes of kick in the but jokes you end up laughing your but off. The actions are very cartoonish, but every word spoken in the film is pure gold.

This film is called 'Poor Mans The Last Relic'. It is obvious that this film was made in vain of much more superior adventure classic 'The Last Relic'. 'Verekivi' (Blood Stone?) was the director's first feature and it went to become his last. Well, it is clear - the film is probably the greatest Estonian bad films of all times. So bad it's good. The script was badly developed, characters were one dimensional (maybe except Baron Von Üxküll), staging was amateurish, and that soundtrack. Don't get me wrong - the soundtrack was cool, but it was totally out of place. The music mostly didn't fit into the film or ruined the atmosphere of the scene. Dramatic and tragic scene where something horrible happens with the character, and then - an upbeat song starts to play. Tell me about inappropriate film score. The music annoyed at first, but after first 20 minutes I started to enjoy it. This so out of the place music gave much more entertaining value to the messy scenario and direction.

With that great soundtrack and couple of stand out lines or one liners, like they are called, that film is true Estonian cult film in the purest sense. So bad it is actually enjoyable. And the short running time doesn't turn it into excruciating viewing experience.

Toomas Nipernaadi is a mysterious, but joyful man, who travels from one place to another. He has always some interesting and fantastic stories to tell, and he can make women go crazy.

The film starts like lighthearted comedy, but soon we start to learn more and more about Nipernaadi, the main protagonist, but at the same time not knowing who he actually is. Everywhere he leaves he leaves behind broken hearts and disappointment. The farther his travels take him and the more fantastic his stories are getting, the more he seems to loose himself. He starts to tell his stories with such an energy that it seems he starts to believe them himself, although they are all just fairy tales.

Although enjoyable screwball adventure film it is more deep psychological study of a character - is he sociopath or just simply irresponsible man who leaves his family behind every summer.

Tõnu Kark gives amazing performance, and wonderful landscape shots accompanied with great soundtrack. 'The Adventurer' remains one of the best Estonian language films.

Two married couples from higher middle class and their one still unmarried friend travel through Estonia to meet famous witch doctor. I consider this to be the only real Estonian road movie - there are some others ('186 Kilometers'), but not quite "Keskea rõõmud" (Midlife Joys). The film is directorial debut for Estonian acting legend Lembit Ulfsak, who took over directing when original director (and author of the screenplay) Valentin Kuik fell ill. The inexperience of the director shows, but some of this is definitely the fault of underdeveloped script. The characters and some of their motions are unexplained, some side characters appear out of nowhere and having conversations with main characters and then they disappear, and we - the audience - will never know the relations between these people. Originally the film was intended to be more psychological drama, but new director turned it more lighthearted comedy. Still the the psychological tension between main characters can be felt burning underneath.

All together, it is a nice warm film with that perfect road movie charm. The chemistry between the five main actors is wonderful, making the sarcastic dry humor sound not so bitter but rather sweet. Occasionally shaky cam and awkward camera angel only add more warmth to the sun sun filled experience. Still the only (and very big) flaw of the film is heavily underdeveloped script.

'Those Old Love Letters' is a love film as one can guess by its title, but the film is not only about love between its protagonists, but also love towards the music, and filmmaker's love towards the musician. Raimond Valgre was talented and popular singer/songwriter whose best years unfortunately fell into the era of World War II and Stalin's regime, and finally cut short way too early. It is a tragic story how a simple man full of dreams and talent is rolled over by war and politics.

Technically the low budget of the film shines through, and occasionally the film looks like made for TV production. The script is strong though and not banally corny, but rather sweet and compassionate with enough sympathy towards all the main characters. Little bits of nice dry Estonian humor adds more charm to the film.

I really found the black and white image usage in 'present day' and color in flashback interesting. This might have to something with the most of the story being told in flashbacks, but I think the black and white is also great metaphor for coldness and bleakness of Stalin era when the 'present day' events in the movie happened.