Film
From Soviet-era punk rebellion to brutalist concrete, surrealist fantasy portrait and zombie folk conquering the world — TMW x Cinema Sõprus’ film programme takes you on a wild ride through the past and present of Estonian pop culture. Screenings are followed by conversations with the filmmakers and participants.
Thu, 9 Apr – Sun, 12 Apr
Kino Sõprus
Vana-Posti 8
Thu, 9 Apr, 17.30
Happiness Is Living in Our Land
Director: Indrek Spungin
The film will be introduced by Indrek Spungin.
O behold – Tallinn’s burning. Tallinn’s burning.
In the grim depths of stagnation, in late October 1982, a group of Soviet youths gather in Tallinn and form the punk band Velikije Luki. The band faces arrests, beatings, forced psychiatric treatment, and performance bans, yet they carry on, driven by alcohol-soaked courage and determination. Through a series of lucky coincidences, their small acts of rebellion help set in motion events that eventually contribute to the Soviet Union’s downfall.
This wild documentary presents the entire story of the legendary Velikije Luki in its full beauty and madness – and of how Estonia tore free from the grip of the Soviets.
Tickets: kinosoprus.ee
Fri, 10 Apr, 17.30
Puuluup – Cables in the Car
Director: Taavi Arus
The film will be introduced by Puuluup members Ramo Teder and Marko Veisson.
A music documentary that opens a window into the lives and creative process of Estonia’s beloved talharpa duo Puuluup. The journey of these middle-aged boys’ band—making what they call “neo-zombie-post-folk” music—is marked by dry humour and absurd situations. This global portrait film captures the collision of grand stages and everyday life, including a behind-the-scenes account of how they co-wrote with 5miinus the song that went on to represent Estonia at Eurovision Song Contest—a song whose name the band members can’t even spell correctly.
Tickets: kinosoprus.ee
Sat, 11 Apr, 17.30
u.Q.
Director: Ivar Murd
The film will be followed by a discussion by Ivar Murd and musicians & cast members Mart Avi and Florian Wahl.
An award-winning documentary about musician Uku Kuut and his mother, jazz and soul diva Marju Kuut — aka Maryn E. Coote — takes viewers on a geographical, political and musical journey. Illustrated by a pop-infused collage of home footage, interviews and stylised photographs, the mother-and-son duo travel from the Soviet Union to a recording studio in Los Angeles, via high school in Sweden, and back to the newly independent Estonia.
With visuals that propel the story through their dynamism and unpredictability as it moves through different, niche musical subgenres, Uku and Marju’s life story is a veritable Greek comedy captured on 8mm, VHS and Betamax tape.
Tickets: kinosoprus.ee
Sun, 12 Apr, 17.30
KARP
Director: Keiti Väliste
The film will be introduced by director Keiti Väliste.
When we think of Tallinn’s Linnahall, the National Library of Estonia, the Post Office building, and nearly 300 other structures designed by Raine Karp, it seems remarkable that the creator of these iconic landmarks does not consider himself an artist at all — but first and foremost an engineer. He doesn’t make art; he solves problems. He works alone and has no cultural life to speak of. He has visited Linnahall itself only a couple of times.
This portrait documentary moves between present and past, drawing on Raine’s own richly personal archive of photographs and footage, with cultural and architectural experts Karen Jagodin, Miia Masso, Mait Väljas and Tiit Nurklik offering fresh perspectives.
Tickets: kinosoprus.ee
