Spazju Kreattiv is hosting Estonian Film Days between October 26 and 29, in collaboration with the Estonian Embassy in Rome, on the occasion of Estonia’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.
In the last few decades, Estonia has enjoyed a strong film-making industry, with dark humour, satire and politics reflecting the character of this Baltic state, particularly since it regained its independence in 1991.
Estonian Film Days explores themes of coming-of-age, political struggles, love and close family ties. It also includes an animated film for children by celebrated animator and director Andres Tenusaar.
The selected films have changed the landscape of feature film storytelling in the country in the last five years. All of them have participated or won awards in prestigious festivals around the world. They are very different in style but somehow reflect the best of what is going on in Estonian cinema at the moment.
“Cultural exchange is very important to us and we aim to organise a cultural event in Malta every year. We love Żigużajg children’s festival and, after a successful collaboration last year, we would like to continue this partnership in the future,” said Celia Kuningas-Saagpakk, Estonian ambassador to Malta.
“By organising various cultural activities, we hope to spark the interest of the Maltese people and perhaps entice them to take the direct flight to Tallinn, opening in spring 2018 – a great opportunity to visit the Nordic region.”
All films are subtitled in English.
Sangarid (The Dissidents)
October 26 at 7PM
It’s the 1980s and three teenagers plan to escape from Soviet Estonia to Sweden via Finland just to live out their dream vision of the free world as seen in iconic television hits like Miami Vice, Knight Rider and Santa Barbara. Initially hailed as heroes who dared to break through the Iron Curtain, the Swedish press coverage quickly turns sour. Retro flair, anarchy and teenage energy run through this fast-paced, wacky action comedy from director Jaak Kilmi.
Seenelkäik (Mushrooming)
October 27 at 7PM
Horror, satire and post-Soviet politics mix in this original black comedy. Struggling to survive in a strange new media environment, ageing politician Aadu Kägu goes on a wild mushroom hunt with his wife Vivi. The day soon turns into a veritable PR nightmare when the couple picks up an eccentric rock star, get hopelessly lost in the woods and receives a phone call from a journalist with some very hot leads on Aadu’s political dealings.
Miriami lood (Miriam Stories)
October 28 and 29 at 11AM
From animator and film director Andres Tenusaar comes this series of lovingly-crafted short animated films for young audiences that follow the adventures of a mischievous young girl named Miriam, her little brother and their pet hen.
Ema (Mother)
October 28 7PM
Rooted in Irish radio drama, this darkly comic, crime mystery set in small-town Estonia centres on Elsa, the full-time caretaker of her comatose son, Lauri. Living with an emotionally distant husband, Elsa walks a path of quiet domestic drudgery, her one distraction being a dead-end affair with one of Lauri’s former colleagues.
Risttuules (In the Crosswind)
October 29 7PM
Erna, happily married and the mother of a young daughter, is sent to Siberia. For her, time takes on another dimension. Fighting starvation and humiliation in inhuman conditions, her soul seeks and finds freedom in the letters she sends to her husband who has been sentenced to prison camp.
http://www.kreattivita.org