The Dissidents

The Dissidents

2017 · 90 min · ★ 5.7 · Action, Comedy

In Soviet-era Estonia, three young mavericks drop everything and flee to Sweden, but soon learn the free world is not all it's cracked up to be.

Directed by Jaak Kilmi · Written by Martin Algus

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Rent or Buy

Apple TV Store

Cast

Make it a double feature

1h 46m together

The Dissidents

Ta-ram, ta-ram

Both from Jaak Kilmi.

More from Jaak KilmiSee all →

The Revolution That Wasn'tThe Revolution That Wasn't · 2009
The Revolution That Wasn't
10.02009
MovieDocumentary
With capitalism and corruption becoming more entrenched in Russia, a father and his teenage son gear up for a yearlong political campaign to unseat President Putin in the 2008 elections and shift the country back toward socialism. Aliona Polunina's thoughtful documentary follows Anatoly and Andrei in their struggle to recreate a revolutionary fervor in a society that seems to be embracing the materialist values of the West.
Ta-ram, ta-ramTa-ram, ta-ram · 1995
Ta-ram, ta-ram
9.01995
MovieDramaMystery
Nighttime at the tram depot. A closed tram car, from which a young businessman who fell asleep on the tram finds himself waking up. However, he is not alone...
Happy LandingHappy Landing · 1999
Happy Landing
9.01999
MovieFantasy
Three film segments.
Men at ArmsMen at Arms · 2005
Men at Arms
6.62005
MovieComedyAction
Year 1208. The first Eastward enlargement of Europe is under way. Brutal forces of the Teutonic Order are steadily marching on. In their path live a simple and peaceful people, whose main pastimes include cultivating the earth, singing and, if possible, doing both at the same time. They are the Estonians. Ignorant in the ways of war, they find an unlikely leader in a young boy with Catholic upbringing. In their fight for freedom, the Estonians encounter numerous obstacles, including the Germans, French, Russians and, worst of all, the Latvians. Will they succeed in defeating their enemies or will they experience a cultural awakening?
The ShadowThe Shadow · 2024
The Shadow
6.42024
MovieCrimeThriller
Juhan Liiv, a struggling poet and an unlikely detective, solves gruesome murder cases in Estonia, the Wild West of the crumbling Russian Empire in the 1890s. Investigations take him to miserable dwellings of the local Estonian peasants, luxurious castles of German nobility that have sworn allegiance to the Czar, and to the depths of ancient forests where witchcraft is still practiced. Juhan is fighting crime and his own inner demons. He is considered mad and pronounced crazy. But by standing for justice and truth, at the end of the day, he is the sanest of them all.
The Sleeping BeastThe Sleeping Beast · 2022
The Sleeping Beast
6.02022
MovieDramaThriller
A gang of five children spend their summer in an abandoned factory complex. When they are forbidden to go there by the factory owner for safety reasons, the children decide to ignore the ban. This decision changes their lives forever and the friends face a grim confrontation.
Touched by the UnknownTouched by the Unknown · 2005
Touched by the Unknown
6.02005
MovieComedyFantasy
Mati is an assistant in TV studio. Patiently he has waited for his time to become a TV star but seems that he has to wait forever. One day an alien called Tipp is sent on Earth (by its chief Tapp) to find out the purpose of Estonian children's TV show "Tipp and Tapp". Tipp nestles himself inside Mati's brains that leads the man to unpredictable actions.
Nazis and BlondesNazis and Blondes · 2008
Nazis and Blondes
6.02008
MovieDocumentaryHistory
Veteran actors from the 3 Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - gather at a castle in Latvia to receive awards for their roles as Nazi villains in propagandist Soviet war films. They reminisce about the films that made them famous throughout the USSR, but also stigmatized the Baltic countries as Nazi sympathizers in the eyes of many Russians - a misconception that is nowadays exploited by the Russian media, desperate to label the Baltic countries as a fascist haven.
The Art of SellingThe Art of Selling · 2006
The Art of Selling
5.72006
Movie
Is everything in life a matter of how you sell yourself? Can Evelin's motto "manipulate and be manipulated" lead everyone to happiness? And does the church really sell God?
Disco and Atomic WarDisco and Atomic War · 2009
Disco and Atomic War
5.42009
MovieDocumentary
A different history of the Cold War: how Estonians under Soviet tyranny began to feel the breeze of freedom when a group of anonymous dreamers successfully used improbable methods to capture the Finnish television signal, a window into Western popular culture, brave but harmless warriors who helped change the fate of an entire nation.
My Father, the SpyMy Father, the Spy · 2019
My Father, the Spy
5.02019
MovieDocumentary
As a young Soviet student in 1978, Ieva could not have predicted that a holiday visit to her father, Imants Lesinskis, then working in the Soviet mission at the United Nations in New York City, would irreversibly split her life in two. Entangled in a dark spy game, Ieva is forced to leave her former life behind, never to see her mother or her homeland of Latvia again. Pulling back the curtain on the shady behind-the-scenes world of the Cold War, this film tells a daughter's dramatic story of her double-agent father, exploring their relationship against the backdrop of events which have their roots over four decades ago. In order to find herself and understand the game she was part of, Ieva sets out on a journey to the past, confronting family secrets, lies and betrayal.
Revolution of PigsRevolution of Pigs · 2004
Revolution of Pigs
4.72004
MovieComedyDrama
"Revolution of Pigs" is an adventurous youth comedy, taking place in a Woodstock-like milieu. The main character is Tanel, a 15-year-old boy, who, taking part of a youth revolt against the system, finds himself and his love.
Suur õdeSuur õde · 2000
Suur õde
2000
MovieDocumentary
The film portrays five different Estonian female politicians: Minister of Culture Signe Kivi, businesswoman Terje Aru, former Miss Estonia Kristiina Heinmets, strike movement leader Kadi Pärnits, and the grand old lady of Estonian women's politics, Marju Lauristin. All of them have been in the media spotlight, and many have fallen victim to it due to their openness. How can a woman assert herself in a post-communist society? What opportunities do women have to succeed in politics within a traditionally patriarchal system? Through the actions of these five protagonists, the hidden world of Estonian politics unfolds—both in its glamour and its horror.
FRESH BLOOD: Own and StrangerFRESH BLOOD: Own and Stranger · 2018
FRESH BLOOD: Own and Stranger
2018
MovieDrama
Six fresh short films on the topic "Own and Stranger" from even more fresh Estonian directors.
VastuvõttVastuvõtt · 2018
Vastuvõtt
2018
MovieDocumentary
A married couple living in Karlova, Tartu, organize a reception for the Republic of Estonia at their home every year on February 24. A humorous insight into the party that takes place in parallel with the glamorous presidential ball, which vividly illustrates what happens in front of thousands of TVs throughout Estonia on this day.
Beauty of FatherlandBeauty of Fatherland · 2001
Beauty of Fatherland
2001
MovieDocumentary
The documentary observes two matriarchs - Tiina Jantson governs the beauty contest empire in Estonia; Anne Eenpanu leads the activities of "Home Daughters" - a girls' corps of Estonian Defence League. The film's main characters and their activities are very different. Whereas Anne's pedagogical approach is almost totally based on the love for fatherland then Tiina spends her days in the glitter of show business. However, there are some similiarities in their lives. The documentary studies the values, gender roles and moral norms in Estonia at the beginning of 21st century.

More Like This

One, Two, ThreeOne, Two, Three · 1961
One, Two, Three
7.51961
MovieComedy
In Cold War-era West Berlin, American Coca-Cola executive C.R. 'Mac' MacNamara is tasked with playing babysitter to his boss' spoiled 17-year-old daughter Scarlett, who proves more difficult than anticipated when she reveals that she is pregnant by a Communist.
Batman BeginsBatman Begins · 2005
Batman Begins
7.72005
MovieDramaCrime
Driven by tragedy, billionaire Bruce Wayne dedicates his life to uncovering and defeating the corruption that plagues his home, Gotham City. Unable to work within the system, he instead creates a new identity, a symbol of fear for the criminal underworld - The Batman.
The EdukatorsThe Edukators · 2004
The Edukators
7.22004
MovieDramaComedy
Three activists cobble together a kidnapping plot after they encounter a businessman in his home.
PoseidonPoseidon · 2006
Poseidon
5.92006
MovieAdventureAction
A packed cruise ship traveling the Atlantic is hit and overturned by a massive wave, compelling the passengers to begin a dramatic fight for their lives.
LadyhawkeLadyhawke · 1985
Ladyhawke
7.01985
MovieAdventureComedy
Captain Etienne Navarre is a man on whose shoulders lies a cruel curse. Punished for loving each other, Navarre must become a wolf by night whilst his lover, Lady Isabeau, takes the form of a hawk by day. Together, with the thief Philippe Gaston, they must try to overthrow the corrupt Bishop and in doing so break the spell.
Ocean's ElevenOcean's Eleven · 1960
Ocean's Eleven
6.41960
MovieCrimeComedy
Danny Ocean and his gang attempt to rob the five biggest casinos in Las Vegas in one night.
The Science of SleepThe Science of Sleep · 2006
The Science of Sleep
7.02006
MovieComedyDrama
A man entranced by his dreams and imagination is lovestruck with a French woman and feels he can show her his world.
The Wing or the Thigh?The Wing or the Thigh? · 1976
The Wing or the Thigh?
7.21976
MovieComedy
Charles Duchemin, a well-known gourmet and publisher of a famous restaurant guide, is waging a war against fast food entrepreneur Tri- catel to save the French art of cooking. After having agreed to appear on a talk show to show his skills in naming food and wine by taste, he is confronted with two disasters: his son wants to become a clown rather than a restaurant tester and he, the famous Charles Duchemin, has lost his taste!
KolyaKolya · 1996
Kolya
7.41996
MovieDramaComedy
After a fictitious marriage with a Russian emigrant, Cellisten Louka, a Czech man, must suddenly take responsibility for her son. However, it’s not long before the communication barrier is broken between the two new family members.
HeatHeat · 1995
Heat
7.91995
MovieCrimeDrama
Obsessive master thief Neil McCauley leads a top-notch crew on various daring heists throughout Los Angeles while determined detective Vincent Hanna pursues him without rest. Each man recognizes and respects the ability and the dedication of the other even though they are aware their cat-and-mouse game may end in violence.
MadagascarMadagascar · 2005
Madagascar
6.92005
MovieAdventureAnimation
Four animal friends get a taste of the wild life when they break out of captivity at the Central Park Zoo and wash ashore on the island of Madagascar.
Max Manus: Man of WarMax Manus: Man of War · 2008
Max Manus: Man of War
7.12008
MovieHistoryWar
Max Manus is a Norwegian 2008 biographic war film based on the real events of the life of resistance fighter Max Manus (1914–96), after his contribution in the Winter War against the Soviet Union. The story follows Manus through the outbreak of World War II in Norway until peacetime in 1945.
RocknRollaRocknRolla · 2008
RocknRolla
7.02008
MovieActionCrime
When a Russian mobster sets up a real estate scam that generates millions of pounds, various members of London's criminal underworld pursue their share of the fortune. Various shady characters, including Mr One-Two, Stella the accountant, and Johnny Quid, a druggie rock-star, try to claim their slice.
Toy Story 3Toy Story 3 · 2010
Toy Story 3
7.82010
MovieAnimationFamily
Woody, Buzz, and the rest of Andy's toys haven't been played with in years. With Andy about to go to college, the gang find themselves accidentally left at a nefarious day care center. The toys must band together to escape and return home to Andy.
The SaintThe Saint · 1997
The Saint
6.11997
MovieThrillerAction
Simon Templar (The Saint), is a thief for hire, whose latest job to steal the secret process for cold fusion puts him at odds with a traitor bent on toppling the Russian government, as well as the woman who holds its secret.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter