Valentin Kuik

Writing

Valentin Kuik

Born January 27, 1943 · Vilo, Petseri County, Estonian SSR, USSR [now Zabolotye, Pskov Oblast, Pechorsky District, Russia]

Died October 30, 2025 · aged 82

Valentin Kuik (January 27, 1943 in the village of Zabolotje, near Novgorod, Russia – October 30, 2025) was an Estonian writer, film director and screenwriter. He graduated from Puurmani Secondary School in 1961. He worked as a physical education teacher at the Kabala 8th grade school. After military service, he went to Tallinn. From 1966 to 1968, he worked as a lighting engineer at Estonian Telev…

Known For

Hit BackHit Back · 1975
Hit Back
10.01975
MovieDrama
The film invites its viewers to reflect on where modern sports have come to. Does a young, honest and uncompromising athlete have a future in the sport or must he go along with the dishonest tricks and the mean game that comes from it all?
DirectingDirecting · 2005
Directing
2005
MovieDocumentary
Documentary about Peeter Simm and the difficulties of creating a feature film. The Estonian weather and the unfamiliar working style of famous German actors seriously tested the abilities of director Peeter Simm when the Estonian-German feature film “Fed Up!” was filmed in the spring of 2005.
LurichLurich · 1984
Lurich
7.31984
MovieHistoryDrama
Georg Lurich was a world-famous Estonian professional wrestler in the early 1900-s who became a legend already in his lifetime. He was called not only the world's best technique-wrestler but he was also a sports-philosopher, health and temperance activist, an efficient sports manager, a talent in acting, writing and chess, a "world's citizen" who spoke more than ten languages and an athlete with enormous popularity. At least 14 wrestling clubs in Europe and USA carried his name. This film is an unpretentious attempt to recall that unique man, the first world-famous Estonian.
The Pastor of ReigiThe Pastor of Reigi · 1978
The Pastor of Reigi
7.01978
MovieDramaRomance
Pastor Paul Lempelius comes to the island of HIiumaa that seems to be like the world's end. While serving the pastorate of Reigi in spirit and in truth, Lempelius hopes to get rid of the burden of destiny. However, the local people favour pagan traditions and distrust the strict kingdom of God that Lempelius teaches them. The pastor's beautiful yet childless wife Catharina yearns for joy of life and tenderness that she won't receive from his husband. Instead, a young assistant pastor Jonas Kempe offers her his love. Their love, disregarding all laws, and the primal lifestyle of the islanders will become the touchstone for Lempelius' redemption.
LandingLanding · 1973
Landing
9.01973
MovieDrama
Reet loves her long-distance coxswain husband Rein, but the long separations have tortured her. It seems to her that the man cares more about his work than about her. Rein really loves his work, but his wife just as passionately. He does not understand how loneliness can overwhelm Reet, when women have always been waiting for men from far away. Their family friend Mart loves Reet and cannot see her suffer. It is in Marti's power to offer Reet a safe life, and the woman plagued by internal struggles makes a choice, but happiness seems to slip even further away.
Family PhotosFamily Photos · 1989
Family Photos
7.01989
MovieDramaRomance
The graduates of a small town are on tenterhooks - the finals will be soon over and the young people will start lives of their own. They don't know what to expect - the school has taught them one thing, their parents something else, and the town shows them something completely else. There is something complicated between Kalle and Inna and eventually their relationship will end up in a mess. The relationship between Siim and Evi seems to be fine but even they will face misunderstandings. During the last weeks at school the love, faith and expectations of the graduates are put to the test.
A Victim of ScienceA Victim of Science · 1982
A Victim of Science
7.01982
MovieComedyTV Movie
A satirical comedy about the monotonous, boring and largely meaningless life of small officials in a certain provincial town.
Kalevite kanged pojadKalevite kanged pojad · 2010
Kalevite kanged pojad
2010
MovieDocumentary
A documentary about the epic hero Kalevipoeg, a famous sculptor, and a corruption scandal. The idea to put a huge statue of Kalevipoeg in the Gulf of Tallinn dates back ten years. The film records the important events of the large-scale project. By now, no one knows when Kalev will make it home to bring luck to his children and growth to his country. But hope remains...

Filmography

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Family LiesFamily Lies · 2016
Family Lies
2.52016
MovieDrama
The film is set in a town that has a professional symphony orchestra, managed by authoritarian and confident Paul Levald, who has conducted both the orchestra and his family affairs for years. Due to dramatic events, Paul’s son-in-law Egon Rei must unexpectedly assume his duties. In addition to the baton, power and responsibility as well as the tensions in the orchestra, Egon inherits his father-in-law’s secrets and obligations from his complicated past. New lies are born out of old ones and, at some point, Egon realises that the revelation of truth might cause a real chaos. "Family Lies" by Valentin Kuik and Manfred Vainokivi is a relationship drama about elephants in the bedroom and skeletons in the closet, about small and big deceptions, half-truths and set-ups that can be found in every family’s secret chronicles.

Director