Pictures from the XXth Century Estonia

Peeter Saarmann has grown up in the Raidma family with the knowledge that his father was a casualty of war and mother died during evacuation. He is a university student who prepares to get married. During renovation Peeter finds a pre-war newspaper article about an enterprise that seems to upset his stepfather. The night before his wedding day, Peeter runs into a drunk man who calls Peeter an illegitimate offspring. When Peeter hears the truth about his real parents from his stepfather, he has the feeling that this could become crucial for his future plans.

The film introduces a selection of various guest types in cafes and night clubs in late 1960s when old ladies still had some bourgeois manners from the first republic of Estonia and the youngsters of the Soviet regime were not served in a restaurant if they had no proper clothing. The guests of Tallinn's legendary cafes "Pearl" and "Moscow" were filmed in their own time. The uniqueness of the film is expressed through a strangely independent soundtrack that observes everyday bustle from the heights of melancholy poetry and remote uranography. Artur Alliksaar's poetry is read by Aarne Üksküla.

Documentary about Hendrik Allik, a revolutionary and a communist, is not just a biographical film. The filmmakers have recorded several episodes from Hendrik Allik's life's marathon. Ene Hion and Andres Sööt have focused on the protagonist's attitudes, evaluations and wisdom.

Young high school graduates express their thoughts on life and love.

In 1985, a lively cultural life was boiling in the dignified building of the Jõelähtme community center, built in 1918. But the eyes of enthusiastic people who practice singing and playing instruments are overshadowed by mundane misery. Everything is in short supply and most of the year one has to operate in a cold and desolate unrenovated house. In the old house, the practices of the village chapel and singing choir take place, youth dance evenings are organized, and a concert dedicated to the anniversary of the October Revolution is waiting.

When we say "Tartu", we mean "Matteus". Arnold Matteus (1897-1986) studied architecture in Germany and worked as Tartu's chief architect during several governments and the war. He was a gentleman, a diplomat, a creative personality and a master of compromises.

Valeria Anderson's fourth documentary is a dramaturgically and conceptually complete visual-musical work comparable with the best British industrial documentaries of that era. The strict frame sequence gives a figurative overview of the birth of reinforced concrete wall panel.

Andres Sööt's portrait of the legendary radio man Feliks Leet, a long-time Pärnu correspondent of Estonian Radio. A lifelike, comic depiction of a tireless newsman in his daily work - conducting interviews and reports on current events and mentoring young reporters.

A poetic mood film about the island of Ruhnu. The camera observes the daily life of the island with a slow calm.

The year of 1988 in Estonia was exceptional - it came as a surprise for everyone that all of a sudden national symbols were allowed; expressions of no confidence were addressed towards the leaders of Communist Party and Estonian government; the Popular Front of Estonia and Estonian Green Movement but also the Intermovement (the Workers International Movement of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic) were founded. Estonian Heritage Society restored the monuments of the War of independence; the facts about war crimes during the Stalinist regime were disclosed and - imagine that! - the representatives of Estonian Republic went against the central authorities in Moscow. Events in Estonia draw international attention. Is all this possible in a totalitarian state? This documentary chronicle gives a plausibe interpretation of the events that took place in Estonia in 1988, of the changes in people's lives and the awakening after a 48-year-long period of darkness.

Documentary about the St. John's Day festival in Tallinn. Recorded with a hidden camera, the film is full of contrasts and expressively depicts the changes in the traditions of Midsummer's Eve and the emotional impoverishment of city dwellers, showing their behaviour at the bonfires - their loneliness as well as their alcohol-induced exuberant state in big crowds.

The documentary depicts Antarctica as an aesthetic phenomenon - it is a land of eternal silence and stillness; during its short summer the continent reveals its most beautiful treasures. Filmed during the 13th Soviet Antarctic expedition from November 1968 until May 1969.

Art historian Villem Raam (1910 - 1996) introduces three medieval architectural monuments in Estonia - Karja St. Catherine's Church, Muhu St. Catherine's Church and Pöide St. Mary's Church - in Muhu and Saaremaa islands. All three churches are genetically related. We can see the grand old man of Estonian art history in the situation most characteristic to him - communicating and working with old buildings.

Jaan Tooming's adaptation of the novel by A.H. Tammsaare.

Records the rehearsals and performance of Pärt's "Italian Concerto" by the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra during the Festival of Early and Contemporary Music in Tallinn.

With his sensitive eye, Andres Sööt has documented various generations of artists in Tartu both in nature and in their studios, at exhibitions, in meetings and gatherings.