Cinema of Estonia

Last updated
Cinema of Estonia
Cine Soprus, Tallin, Estonia, 2012-08-05, DD 01.JPG
Cinema Sõprus, Tallinn
No. of screens 74 (2010) [1]
 • Per capita6.3 per 100,000 (2010) [1]
Main distributors Forum Cinemas AS 54.0%
Acme Film OÜ 36.0%
Kuukulgur Film OÜ 4.0% [2]
Produced feature films (2011) [3]
Fictional8 (61.5%)
Animated1 (7.7%)
Documentary4 (30.8%)
Number of admissions (2011) [4]
Total2,346,000
 • Per capita1.96 (2012) [5]
National films236,000 (10.1%)
Gross box office (2011) [4]
Total€9.17 million
National films€472,000 (5.1%)

Cinema of Estonia is the film industry of the Republic of Estonia. The motion pictures have won international awards and each year new Estonian films are seen at film festivals around the globe. [6]

Contents

1896—1911

The first "moving pictures" were screened in Tallinn in 1896. [7] The first movie theater was opened in 1908. [8] The first local documentary was made in 1908 with the production of a newsreel about Swedish King Gustav V’s visit to Tallinn. [9]

1912—1918

Karujaht Pärnumaal, Estonia Film

The first Estonian documentary was created by Johannes Pääsuke in 1912 that was followed by a short film Karujaht Pärnumaal (Bear Hunt in Pärnumaa) in 1914. The first movie studio in Estonia, Estonia Film Tartus (The Tartu Studio of Estonia Film), was established by Johannes Pääsuke (1892–1918). Pääsuke produced documentaries, short films and pictures of Estonian nature for the Estonian National Museum. Karujaht Pärnumaal (Bear-Hunt in Pärnu County, 1914) was the first fictional short film made in Estonia. In total, eight films made by J. Pääsuke have survived and are stored at the Estonian Film Archives. [10]

1918—1940

Konstantin Marska at the Estonian Culture Film in 1936 Konstatin Marska.jpg
Konstantin Märska at the Estonian Culture Film in 1936

The first full-length feature film was made in 1924 Shadow of the Past directed by Konstantin Märska and produced by his Konstantin Märska Filmiproduktsioon (Konstantin Märska Film Production). Two feature films by Märska have survived: Vigased pruudid (1929) and Jüri Rumm (1929). Theodor Lutsu Filmiproduktsioon (the Film Production of Theodor Luts Studio) was established by Theodor Luts and his wife Aksella Luts, who produced documentaries and feature films. His Noored kotkad (Young Eagles) (1927) is generally regarded as the cornerstone of Estonian cinema. [11] Luts was also responsible for directing the only Estonian sound feature made before Soviet era, an Estonian-Finnish co-production Päikese lapsed (1932). Luts moved to Finland to work as a cinematographer immediately after finishing the film, and never returned to Estonia. Smaller film production studios in Estonia included Siirius Film and K.Kalamees Tartu.

The major film production company after the Great Depression hit Estonia during the 1930s was state subsidized the Estonian Culture Film (Estonian : Eesti Kultuurfilm) that produced mostly documentaries.
In late 1930s, Academy Award nominated Miliza Korjus best known for a role in The Great Waltz (1938), daughter of an Estonian lieutenant colonel in the Imperial Russian Army and later Chief of Staff to the War Minister of Estonia, had a successful career in Hollywood film industry [12]

The first Estonian animated short film Kutsu-Juku seiklusi was made in 1931. [13]

1940—1953

During the first year of Soviet occupation (1940–1941) Eesti Kultuurfilm was taken over by the Communist Party and renamed Kinokroonika Eesti Stuudio (the Estonian Newsreel Studio). During the first decades of Soviet rule as Estonia became a part of USSR in 1944 after the end of World War II, filmmakers in Estonia were mostly coming from inner Soviet Union whose job was to create propaganda films that depicted the victory of socialism in a form of newsreels and documentaries like the newsreel "Soviet Estonia" (1950) created by Semyon Semyonovich Shkolnikov, Vladimir Tomberg  [ ru ], and others. [14] [12]

Former Eesti Kultuurfilm was called Kinokroonika Tallinna Stuudio (The Tallinn Newsreel Studio) in 1942 during the German occupation in World War II and Tallinna Kinostuudio (The Tallinn Film Studio) in 1947 again by the Soviets. [10]

During the era two feature films on Soviet themes were produced in Estonia directed by Gerbert Rappaport, an Austrian émigré in Soviet Union: [15] Elu tsitadellis (Life in the Citadel) in 1947, Valgus Koordis (Light in Koordi) in 1951 that was the first color motion picture film made in Estonia. [10]

1953—1991

After the death of Stalin in 1953 a more liberal period in Soviet Union's cultural policies followed. Filmmakers started to enjoy greater artistic control at the same time the Soviet State Committee for Cinematography (Goskino) in Moscow provided the money, state censorship body Glavlit and CPSU Department of Culture had the control over releasing the movies. [11]

The Tallinn Film Studio was renamed Kunstiliste ja Kroonikafilmide Tallinna Kinostuudio (Tallinn Feature- and Newsreel Film Studio) in 1954 and in 1963 was renamed again Tallinnfilm [10]

Some of the first films produced during the era that were co directed by an Estonian Kaljo Kiisk were Juunikuu päevad (1957) and Vallatud kurvid also known as Opasniye Povoroty , the first dramatic film shot in Kinopanorama (1959).

In the 1960s a story of Prince Gabriel by Estonian writer Eduard Bornhöhe was turned into a movie script by Arvo Valton. Grigori Kromanov was named to be the director of Viimne reliikvia (The Last Relic), released in 1969 by Tallinnfilm. The movie set the absolute box office record for the entire Soviet Union at the time by selling 44,9 million tickets. [16] [17] It was successfully distributed by the Soviet film export internationally in more than 60 countries. The film also influenced Estonian literature: 2 short stories listed for the Friedebert Tuglas award in 1970-75 included references to the Last Relic.

Another milestone in Estonian Cinema released in 1969 was Arvo Kruusement's Kevade (Spring) based on Oskar Luts popular novel. [7]

Successful films in the 1980s were "Hukkunud Alpinisti" hotell (Dead Mountaineer's Hotel) by Kromanov and movies made by Kaljo Kiisk such as Nipernaadi (1983).

The most prominent female director Leida Laius who emerged during the era is best known for her Kõrboja peremees (1979) and Naerata ometi (1985) receiving at the Berlin International Film Festival UNICEF Award in 1985. Peeter Simm's best known Soviet era film is Ideaalmaastik (The Ideal Landscape) released in 1980. Peeter Urbla's Ma pole turist, ma elan siin (I'm Not a Tourist, I'm Living Here) (1988).  Jaan Kolberg emerged by the end of Soviet era with films See kadunud tee (1990) (The Lost Way) and Võlausaldajad (Creditors) (1992)

Among the leading Estonian film actors during the Soviet era were Rein Aren with about 30 roles, Jüri Järvet and Leonhard Merzin. [11]

Since 1991

After the collapse of the Soviet Union Estonia regained its independence, the cost of filmmaking skyrocketed and the 1990s showed decline in filmmaking that reached its bottom in 1996, the year when no fictional films and only 2 documentaries Lipule... güüsile... valvel! and Turvalisuse illusioon were made in Estonia.

In 1997, the Estonian Film Foundation was founded by the Estonian Ministry of Culture. Production of Minu Leninid (All My Lenins) (1997) a parody of Soviet Revolution by Hardi Volmer marked a turnaround for Estonian feature films. In 1998, there were two feature films produced. Georgica directed by Sulev Keedus won the FIPRESCI Prize at the Stockholm Film Festival in 1998 and the Prix Europa Special at Prix Europa in 1999. Ristumine peateega (The Highway Crossing) directed by Arko Okk won the "FIPRESCI Prize" at the Stockholm International Film Festival in 1999 and the Prize OPERA PRIMA at the Uruguay International Film Festival in 2000. The Highway Crossing was also the first Estonian film at Hongkong International Film Festival HKIFF .

Since then, the trend has also been towards joint film productions such as Peeter Simm's Head käed (Good Hands) (2001) a joint Estonian-Latvian coproduction that in 2002 won the Manfred Salzgeber Award at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Golden Olive Tree Lecce Festival of European Cinema in Italy. Kõrini (Fed Up) (2005) an Estonian-German coproduction. Arvo Iho' s Karu süda (Hart of the Bear) (2001) nominated for Golden St. George at the Moscow International Film Festival and for the European Film Award at European Film Awards, was a coproduction between Estonia, Germany, Russia and the Czech Republic.

The most commercially successful Estonian film in 2002 was Nimed marmortahvlil (2002) (Names in Marble) by Elmo Nüganen and in 2003 a comedy by Rando Pettai Vanad ja kobedad saavad jalad alla (Made in Estonia) that in Estonia topped the international blockbuster The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers with its box office results. [11]

In 2004, two young directors emerged Jaak Kilmi and René Reinumägi with their Sigade revolutsioon (Revolution of Pigs) that won the Special Jury Prize and was nominated for Golden St. George at the Moscow International Film Festival, and for Grand Prix Asturias at the Gijón International Film Festival.

In 2007, about 10 feature films were made in Estonia. Most notable perhaps Sügisball (2007) by Veiko Õunpuu receiving among other awards Best Director at the Thessaloniki Film Festival, International Film Festival Bratislava and Venice Horizons Award at the 64th Venice International Film Festival. Georg (2007) by Peeter Simm is a movie about the life of legendary Estonian singer Georg Ots.

Most recent awarded film is Veiko Õunpuu's The Temptation of St. Tony (2009). In 2011, Estonia made eight full-length films, which included one animated film. [18]

TOP 10

The Estonian feature films Top Ten Poll in 2002 by Estonian film critics and journalists [19]

  1. Kevade (1969) directed by Arvo Kruusement
  2. Hullumeelsus (1968) directed by Kaljo Kiisk
  3. Ideaalmaastik (1980) directed by Peeter Simm
  4. Viimne reliikvia (1969) directed by Grigori Kromanov
  5. Georgica (1998) directed by Sulev Keedus
  6. Nipernaadi (1993) directed by Kaljo Kiisk
  7. "Hukkunud Alpinisti" hotell (1979) directed by Grigori Kromanov
  8. Naerata ometi (1985) directed by Leida Laius, Arvo Iho
  9. Põrgupõhja uus Vanapagan (1964) directed by Grigori Kromanov, Jüri Müür
  10. Tuulte pesa (1979) directed by Olav Neuland

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Culture of Estonia</span> Overview of the culture of Estonia

The culture of Estonia combines an indigenous heritage, represented by the country's Finnic national language Estonian, with Nordic and German cultural aspects. The culture of Estonia is considered to be significantly influenced by that of the Germanic-speaking world. Due to its history and geography, Estonia's culture has also been influenced by the traditions of other Finnic peoples in the adjacent areas, also the Baltic Germans, Balts, and Slavs, as well as by cultural developments in the former dominant powers, Sweden, Denmark and Russia. Traditionally, Estonia has been seen as an area of rivalry between western and eastern Europe on many levels. An example of this geopolitical legacy is an exceptional combination of multiple nationally recognized Christian traditions: Western Christianity and Eastern Christianity. The symbolism of the border or meeting of east and west in Estonia was well illustrated on the reverse side of the 5 krooni note. Like the mainstream cultures in the other Nordic countries, Estonian culture can be seen to build upon ascetic environmental realities and traditional livelihoods, a heritage of comparatively widespread egalitarianism arising out of practical reasons, and the ideals of closeness to nature and self-sufficiency.

Furst Gabriel or Last Days of the Pirita Monastery is an Estonian historical novelle by Eduard Bornhöhe.

<i>Viimne reliikvia</i> 1969 film directed by Grigori Kromanov

Viimne reliikvia is a 1969 Estonian-language Soviet film based on Vürst Gabriel ehk Pirita kloostri viimsed päevad, a historical novel by Eduard Bornhöhe. The film became extremely popular, and some critics consider it the only Estonian cult film.

Grigori Kromanov was an Estonian theatre and film director. He directed some of the best known Estonian movies, including Viimne reliikvia and Dead Mountaineer's Hotel.

Tallinnfilm is the oldest surviving film studio in Estonia. It was founded as Estonian Culture Film in 1931, and was nationalized in 1940 after Estonia was integrated into the Soviet Union. During the first year of Soviet Occupation (1940–1941) Eesti Kultuurfilm was taken over by the Communist Party and renamed Kinokroonika Eesti Stuudio. In 1942 during the German occupation the studio was renamed Kinokroonika Tallinna Stuudio and then renamed again as Tallinna Kinostuudio in 1947 by the Soviets. The Tallinn Film Studio was renamed Kunstiliste ja Kroonikafilmide Tallinna Kinostuudio in 1954 and in 1963 was renamed again Tallinnfilm.

<i>Spring</i> (1969 film) 1969 film directed by Arvo Kruusement

Spring is a 1969 Estonian film directed by Arvo Kruusement and is a film adaptation of Oskar Luts' popular novel of the same name. The movie placed first place in the Estonian feature films top ten poll held in 2002 by Estonian film critics and journalists. In 1970 the movie sold 558,000 tickets in Estonia, then nearly half of the country's total population of 1.36 million and 8,100,000 in the Soviet Union in 1971. The film was re-released in Estonia on 13 April 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaljo Kiisk</span> Estonian film director

Kaljo Kiisk was a Soviet and Estonian actor, film director, screenwriter and politician. He was best known for his roles as Kristjan Lible from Spring, Summer (Suvi) and Autumn (Sügis), film adaptations of Oskar Luts' novels, and as Johannes Saarepera from ETV's long-running Õnne 13. His career spanned over half a century from 1953 to 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helene Vannari</span> Estonian actress (1948–2022)

Helene Vannari was an Estonian stage, radio, television and film actress.

Eili Sild is an Estonian stage, film, television and radio actress whose career began on the theatre stage in the early 1960s and has spanned over fifty years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mari Lill</span> Estonian actress

Mari Lill is an Estonian stage, film and television actress whose career began onstage in the late 1960s.

Aino Talvi was an Estonian stage, film, and radio actress and singer whose career spanned over sixty years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silvia Laidla</span> Estonian actress

Silvia Laidla was an Estonian stage, television and film actress whose career spanned nearly six decades. Primarily a stage actress, she also appeared in several Estonian television series and motion pictures.

Arvo Iho is an Estonian film director, cinematographer, actor and photographer, who has worked in the areas of documentary and drama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eero Spriit</span> Estonian actor

Eero Spriit, is an Estonian actor, theatre producer and director, and film and television producer. Spriit's career as an actor began in the early 1970s.

Leida Rammo was an Estonian stage, radio, television, and film actress and theatre director whose career spanned over seven decades.

Peace Street is a 1991 Estonian film directed by Roman Baskin.

Äratus is a 1989 Estonian historical drama film directed by Jüri Sillart.

Aire Koop is an Estonian stage, film, and television actress whose career began in the late 1970s.

Rein Aedma is an Estonian film actor who made his screen debut as a teenager and is possibly best recalled for his role as Jaan Imelik in three film adaptations of novels penned by author Oskar Luts: Kevade (1969), Suvi (1976), and Sügis (1990), and a 2020 follow-up film Talve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hans Kaldoja</span> Estonian actor (1942–2017)

Hans Kaldoja was an Estonian stage, television, film, and radio voice actor whose career began in the mid-1960s. Kaldoja was employed at the Estonian Drama Theatre for twenty-seven years; from 1965 until 1992, appearing in over one hundred theatre roles, before becoming a freelance actor. He has also recorded nearly two hundred audiobooks for the Estonian Library for the Blind.

References

  1. 1 2 "Table 8: Cinema Infrastructure - Capacity". UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  2. ↑ "Table 6: Share of Top 3 distributors (Excel)". UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  3. ↑ "Table 1: Feature Film Production - Genre/Method of Shooting". UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  4. 1 2 "Table 11: Exhibition - Admissions & Gross Box Office (GBO)". UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  5. ↑ "Baltic Films - Facts and figures" (PDF). Nacionālais Kino centrs. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 May 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  6. ↑ Estonian Film 100 Archived 2014-01-04 at the Wayback Machine Estonia.eu
  7. 1 2 Eastern Europe By Tom Masters; p. 328
  8. ↑ The Baltic States By Marje Jõeste, Küllo Arjakas ISBN   978-5-89960-026-5
  9. ↑ "estonian culture - cinema". Archived from the original on 2006-09-27. Retrieved 2006-09-05.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "The Estonian Film Archives". Archived from the original on 2002-03-28. Retrieved 2019-07-03.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Culture And Customs of the Baltic States By Kevin O'Connor
  12. 1 2 Frucht, Richard (2005). Eastern Europe: An Introduction to the People, Lands, and Culture [3 Volumes]. ABC-CLIO. ISBN   978-1-57607-800-6.
  13. ↑ "Kutsu-Juku seiklusi". IMDb . 30 April 1931.
  14. ↑ "Семён ШКОЛЬНИКОВ". Музей ЦСДФ (in Russian). Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  15. ↑ Rappaport @ Filmmuseum in Wien [ permanent dead link ]
  16. ↑ Bridging the Cultural Divide By Sigrid Rieuwerts; p. 325
  17. ↑ Box office for Viimne reliikvia @ IMDB
  18. ↑ Smith, Ian Hayden (2012). International Film Guide 2012. p. 111. ISBN   978-1-908215-01-7.
  19. ↑ tallinnfilm.ee Archived 2008-03-24 at the Wayback Machine
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.