As proud Gala Sponsors we wish EstDocs and all moviegoers a wonderful festival!

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2 As proud Gala Sponsors we wish EstDocs and all moviegoers a wonderful festival! Discover our NO FEE accounts today! (416)

3 I am delighted to welcome you to the 14th annual Estonian Documentary Film Festival. This is my fifth time to take part in EstDocs as Ambassador of Estonia to Canada and, as in previous years, I look forward to the event with a great deal of excitement. This year s programme makes it seem as if we are looking through the lens of a camera at the intersection of life and art, past and present, from the hauntingly beautiful stop-motion films of Ülo Pikkov, to a wild flower power ride of the Soviet hippies in Estonia, by Terje Toomistu. One of the most impressive contemporary filmmakers, Quebec Canadian, Xavier Dolan, has said about himself that his mission in the world is to tell stories. He lends his voice and films the stories of those, whose voice in society is not heard, or whose story is not considered important enough. The stories of Estonian filmmakers are mainly about our past. This is so, on the one hand, since there are so many untold stories from the past and on the other hand, these stories have waited so long for their turn. After all, it is a relatively recent phenomenon for us to be able to talk about everything freely. I believe that honouring our own stories helps us better understand and appreciate the stories of other peoples. On Sunday, films about the Ukrainian famine will be shown and, while not easy to watch, these are important historical records that bring to light not only the suffering but the strength and determination of the Ukrainian people to survive. Despite hard times and during them, Estonians have always tried to go with the flow, to stay balanced between the highs and lows of life. At the Friday night Gala, in the film, The Woman in the Picture, the creation of the artist, Laurentsius, brings to life the one-time residents of an old wooden house in Tallinn - the most famous Estonian photographers of their time the brothers Parikas. We see the sparkle of social life of the period, but also how grand plans are shattered and how very inseparable brothers were in fact separated by a foreign power. EstDocs for many years, now, has provided an excellent platform to showcase our films and our artists, our stories, and connect Estonian filmmakers with Canada and Canada with Estonians. EstDocs today is a well-known event among people interested in culture in Estonia and needs no explanation. Of course, the organization of EstDocs requires a tremendous amount of work. I am amazed by Kristi Doughty, the festival director s energy and determination to bring such a huge event to life. To her and her impressive army of volunteers, I wish to express my personal thanks and that of all film goers. Gita Kalmet, ESTONIAN AMBASSADOR TO CANADA Welcome to the 14th annual Estonian Documentary Film Festival. If you re unfamiliar with the word Estonia, it is a small country in Northern Europe on the shore of the Baltic Sea, not far from Finland. We speak an indigenous language Estonian and have a deep love of song, of art, and of technology. The Economist reported that Estonia holds the world record in start-ups per person which is impressive considering that the country has a population of 1.3 million people. I, myself, work in technology by day and as the Festival Director by night, which shouldn t be considered so unusual. After all, film brings art and technology together. We couldn t produce films or show them without inventions, without technology, and certainly not without the creative visions of the artists who bring it all together for us. And, as this year s festival highlights, at the space where art meets life, that s the Sweet Spot. You ll find the festival s suite of films touch on many aspects of the human spirit funny, inspiring, thoughtful. Some of the more political films are even disturbing, for they highlight the realities that people faced under the oppression of the Soviets in the last century. Art meets Life, Technology meets Art. Mixed together, we hope, this year s festival will bring you closer into the world of the Estonian filmmakers and artists who have made this all possible. What has also made this all possible is all of our volunteers who work throughout the year to make this happen. Thank you! Kristi Sau Doughty, FESTIVAL DIRECTOR estdocs 3

4 Let s watch films and celebrate Estonia 100 together! In 2018, the Republic of Estonia will celebrate its 100th anniversary. The centenary programme began in April 2017 and continues through to February 2020 to mark all of the most important milestones in the emergence of Estonia s statehood. Estonian Documentary Film Festival EstDocs in Toronto as one of the biggest Estonian culture events abroad has an important place in the Estonia 100 programme as well. All friends of Estonia at home and abroad are invited to join in Estonia s centenary celebrations! These events will above all be organised by the people themselves, just like they would like to see them. An important part of the Estonia 100 programme will consist of events and initiatives we call them gifts. You can see what is already being planned to celebrate the centenary on the Estonia 100 website at where you can also post information on your own gift. Estonia s gift to the world is the World Cleanup Day that will take place on 15 September The focus of the centenary celebrations is on children and youth. We particularly value initiatives that help Estonian children who live abroad develop their ties and connection with Estonia and the Estonian language. In 2018, more children will be able to attend language and cultural camps in Estonia with funding from Estonia 100. There s a lovely tradition in Estonia to give every new-born child the book Little Tree. Estonia 100 in cooperation with the Estonian Children s Literature Centre and Estonia s embassies plans to give a similar gift to all Estonians who are born abroad in All Estonians living abroad are invited to visit Estonia during the celebrations! This would be one of the greatest gifts that Estonians abroad could give Estonia for its centenary. There will be plenty of smaller and larger events to give everyone good reason to do so from the Song and Dance Festival to hundreds of other events of all kinds. Everyone is very welcome! Jaanus Rohumaa, HEAD OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF ESTONIA 100 Your charitable donation helps Ehatare support the most valued members of our community. Kõik annetused tulumaksuvabad. 40 Old Kingston Road, Scarborough ON M1E 3J5 Registered Charity # RR estdocs

5 ESTDOCS JURY Alan C. Peterson Alan is an internationally renowned film and television character actor and co-producer, and he has performed in projects throughout Europe, Canada and the United States. Originally born in Estonia as Alar Aedma, Alan moved to Canada with his family at a young age. In his teens, he studied acting and performed in New York City. With hundreds of film and television credits, Alan has recently appeared in The Conspiracy, The Black Marks, A Single Shot, A Pride of Lions and Patch Town. SHORT FILM JURY Ülo Pikkov Ülo is an internationally renowned filmmaker, producer and film scholar. He studied animation at Turku Arts Academy in Finland and directed several awardwinning animation films (Empty Space, Tik-Tak, Body Memory, The End, Dialogos). Ülo is also a publised author, including Animasophy, Theoretical Writings on the Animated Film (2011). He graduated from Law at the University of Tartu, focusing on media and author s rights. Ülo is completing his doctorate at the Estonian Academy of Arts and producing animation and documentary films at Silmviburlane. Svetla Turin Svetla is the Co-founder, Executive Director and Head of Distribution at Cinema Politica, an exhibition and distribution network for political documentary. In 2016 she launched CP Productions with film maker Amy Miller. Svetla conducts workshops and writes about documentary activism, women in documentary and festivals, and most recetly published in Intellect s Activist Film Festivals entitled "The Revolution Will Not be Festivalized: Documentary Film Festivals and Activism". She is also a programmer for Sofia International Film Festival. Inga Diev Inga Diev serves as the General Manager of Ouat Media, where she is responsible for the company s business operations and oversees all the film sales and acquisitions. To date, Ouat Media has represented eleven Academy Award nominated short films including three winners. The company is based in Toronto, Canada. Laurence Green Laurence Green's short film Reconstruction won Best Canadian Short Film at TIFF in 1995, and also picked up prizes at Hamburg, Leipzig, Uppsala, Tampere, Chicago and Hot Docs. He has made 10 documentaries, including Thin Ice (2000) and Alter Egos (2004) with the National Film Board of Canada. Green started teaching production in York University's Film Department in 1997, and also spent a term in 2013 teaching at the Baltic Film & Media School in Tallinn University on an invitation from Riho Vastrik. He screened Alter Egos at Kumu Art Museum in 2009, which was his first visit to Estonia. Peter Murdmaa Peter graduated in cinematography and film production from the Baltic Film, Media, Arts and Communication School of Tallinn University. He is an experienced cinematographer and director of documentaries, as well as a producer of short fiction films. In 2013 he organized and directed Sleepwalkers, an international short film festival. And in 2014 he founded ShortEst, Estonian Short Film Centre with the goal to introduce audiovisual shorts into Estonia, and Estonian shorts to the world. Peter's mission is to bring short films to the big screen in as many ways as possible. estdocs 5

6 INTERVIEW The Woman in the Picture A Femme Fatale in the Photographer s House: Kalli Paakspuu interviews filmmaker Priit Valkna about his documentary, Naine Pildil. KP Can you describe how you came up with the idea of the documentary for Naine Pildil? PV The plan was born as soon as artist Laurentsius was in agreement that the camera capture his work process. Seeing the entire artist's process with a "kitchen" view was appealing. The house belonged to the Estonian pioneers of photography, the Parikas brothers, but it was not clear how to combine two stories. When we discovered Lilli (the wife of the elder brother Johannes) and her story, it was clear that this artist needed a muse. Lilli was also the character most connected to this house. KP Why this topic of early Estonian photography? What needs to be said about the family album? PV Almost every Estonian family has a family photograph taken by Parikas- Reval. This was a very prestigious studio and sought after for photographing the important life events. All kinds of people presented themselves in this studio, including celebrity artists. Of 20,000 photographs taken, the photographs collected in the family album were remarkably honest representations. KP Lilli s story becomes a narrative layer in your film that at times competes with Laurentsius s story - giving us a feminine perspective, emotional tone and historical context. She is the wife of Georg Johannes Parikas. Can you comment on how you got to know her character and how she became a presence in your documentary? PV Much information was found in personal correspondence and archival sources, but an emotional tone was mirrored in the family album. Lilli s story was about love and Laurentsius paints this love story. Perhaps the meeting of the two was meant to be. Laurentsius is carrying Lilli s story. It s like Laurentsius s creation gives it a roadmovie rhythm that takes the whole film further. KP Another narrative of the film is the story about the house. Artist Laurentsius tells us his inspiration is the worn wood walls that contrast with the glamorous faces he draws. Your cinematography uses time lapse photography to make us feel the mood and shadows of this house. Can you comment on some of your other techniques and why you used them? PV The walls were bare, but marked with a history from the tsarist, Estonian Republic and Soviet times. Laurentsius s goal was to bring alive the former glamour. Masterfully he restored the former beauty and the weathered empty walls. The artist s light strokes were followed with soft camera pans that brought alive the whole creative process. One huge challenge was digitizing the old photographs. In the film there are a few techniques that are playful. I hold back my laugh when I watch the action and expect the viewer can see the game. KP In your film artist Laurentsius brings a greater appreciation of the Parikas brothers photography and William Morris s floral patterns. At what point did you know there could be a film about this? PV It evolved through improvisations. Finishing the film took five years due to various setbacks. The first challenge was finding the right ending for the artist and his exhibition which slowed the process. Then we needed time to come up with an ending for the film. This is why Woman in the Picture has so many layers to its story. KP The film is about opening a family album to strangers and yet it takes this idea further than the artist Laurentsius who is preparing for a show. Can you tell us what you as a filmmaker are saying about the earlier time when Estonia was a Republic? PV Family albums are never meant for strangers. They are more informal structure and natural. This establishes for us the first story of the Republic of Estonia, when the Parikas family lived through its episodes, the War of Independence, the creation of the nation and the birthing of capitalism. Then wealth and bankruptcy and again war and exile. The Parikas family lived through it all. The house is a main character in the film. KP Can you comment on your use of music? PV I found it as a soundpainting. It brought me together with composer Walter Thompson. He created an orchestra conducted by emotions. KP Is there anything else you would like to say about your concept of this film? Or what it was like collaborating with Laurentsius? PV Laurentsius has been a great collaborator. People take note of his originality. 6 estdocs

7 GALA PRESENTATION The Woman in the Picture Naine Pildil Friday, November 3 at 7 pm Bloor Hot Docs DIRECTOR Priit Valkna YEAR 2017 LENGTH 60 minutes LANGUAGE Estonian with English subtitles The artist Lauri Sillak, aka Laurentsius, starts painting for his new exhibition in an unusual place a vacant wooden house in the heart of Tallinn, in a house that has belonged to the creator of the art of film and photography in Estonia, Johannes Parikas and his wife Lilli. The Parikas name truly set the fashion in the interwar Republic of Estonia. Several movie theatres in Tallinn, the Estonia Films film studio, a famous photography studio in Tallinn s Old Town, the first Miss Estonia competition, portraits of prominent statesmen, and the photographing of all of Estonia were all connected to that name. The walls of the mysterious dwelling of the Parikas family conceal within themselves the traces of people who in their day were prominent in society, and the life of those times is uncovered from beneath the accumulated cultural layers. The portraits of contemporary beauties and fashion icons appear on the wallpapers of that time, but the ghost of Lilli, the mistress of the house, is restless. Kunstnik Lauri Sillak aka Laurentsius alustab oma värske näituse maalimist tavatus kohas - tühjaksjäänud puumajas Tallinna südalinnas. Majas, mis on kuulunud Eesti filmi- ja fotokunsti loojale Johannes Parikasele ja tema naisele Lillile. Parikaste nimi oli esimeses Eesti Vabariigis tõeline tooniandja. Sellega seostusid Eesti esimese missivõistlus, riigimeeste prominentsed portreed ja kogu Eestimaa ülespildistamine. Parikaste salapärase elumaja seinad peidavad endas inimeste jälgi, kes omal ajal pildil olid ja kultuurkihtide alt paljastub tollane elu. Ajastu tapeetidele ilmuvad kaasaegsete kaunitaride ja maailmakuulsate pesumodellide portreed, aga maja perenaise Lilli vaim on rahutu. SPONSORED BY: estdocs 7

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9 Come Back Free Tule Tagasi Vabana Soviet Hippies Nõukogude Hipid Saturday, November 4 at 5 pm HotDocs DIRECTOR Ksenia Okhapkina YEAR 2017 LENGTH 51 minutes LANGUAGE Estonian, Russian with English subtitles Officially the war with Russia might be over, but in many parts of Chechnya the fighting continues in the shadows. Chechens take the attitude that to survive, you always have to be ready to fight. Russian director Ksenia Okhapkina shows the impact of war on a village in the Chechen mountains, where the graveyard is a constant reminder of the loss suffered by the community. The gravediggers are kept busy, as there are many graves and funerals. The mourning women have lost husbands and sons in the war, but defy despair by dancing their grief and singing away their sorrow. In an observational style, this documentary records everyday life in the village, from Muslim rituals to children at play to a traditional wedding dance. The greeting used by the locals reflects their longing for independence: Come back free! Poeetiline dokumentaalfilm sõdadest räsitud tšetšeeni küla elust, mille sümboolne keskpunkt on surnuaed. Küla elab ja hingab ühes rütmis. Hauakaevajatel on alati käed tööd täis. Surm on mägikülas igapäevane külaline. Polegi tähtis, et järjekordne sõda on lõppenud. Rahvas elab kättemaksu suletud ringis. Ringis joostakse ka Jumala poole palveid korrates. Sõjast allesjäänud noorte ja vanade meeste palve kõlab jooksujalu ringis lauldes kaugele ning aitab meestel unustada iseennast. Naiste ülekaal on silmaga märgatav, kuigi millegipärast tundub, nagu neid polekski nii palju. Tähelepanelikud silmapaarid jälgivad kõike ja mõistavad kõike. Kui tšetšeenid lahku lähevad, jätavad nad nägemist sõnadega: tule tagasi vabana! Saturday, November 4 at 7:30 pm HotDocs DIRECTOR Terje Toomistu YEAR 2017 LENGTH 80 minutes LANGUAGE Estonian, Russian with English subtitles A wild flower power ride in the tracks of the Soviet hippie movement takes you into the psychedelic underground of 1970s. In search of freedom, a colorful crowd of artists, musicians, vagabonds and other long-haired drop-outs created their own system in the Soviet Union. Years later, a group of eccentric hippies take the road journey to Moscow where people gather annually on the 1st of June to commemorate the 1971 tragic event when thousands of hippies were arrested by the KGB. Lääneriikides sadu tuhandeid noori hullutanud ja kogu maailma raputanud hipiliikumine jõudis ndatel aastatel omamoodi kujul ka teisele poole raudset eesriiet. Noorte meeli haarasid raadio teel ja althõlma leviv rockmuusika. Rõhuva süsteemi varjus kujunes lillelaste liikumine, mis hargnes salajase niidistikuna mööda Nõukogude Liitu. Nõukogude hipid on pöörane ja unikaalsetel arhiivimaterjalidel põhinev lugu lillelaste elust. Omamoodi roadmovie na on see sõit Nõukogude Liidu hipiliikumise jälgedes. Režissöör Terje Toomistu lugu viib vaataja 1970ndate psühhedeelsesse undergroundi, kus rock-muusikast joovastunud pikajuukselised noored lõid süsteemi, milles püüeldi rahu ja vabaduse poole. Aastaid hiljem võtab seltskond Eesti hipisid ette teekonna Moskvasse, kus siiani tähistatakse lillelaste püha 1. juunil. SPONSORED BY: estdocs 9

10 EstDocs would like to thank our generous sponsors FESTIVAL DIRECTOR PROGRAM DIRECTOR OPERATIONS DIRECTOR FINANCE DIRECTOR SHORT FILM COMPETITION AD SALES SECRETARY TREASURER PROGRAMMING TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS DESIGN JURY CONSULTANTS Kristi Sau Doughty Kalli Paakspuu Mai Meret Linda Veltmann Tauno Mölder Emma Soolepp Liis Truuvert Maret Jaks Urmas Sui Kristen Dobbin, Kaisa Pitsi Margus Jukkum Rein Ende, Killi Mirka, Tauno Mölder, Peeter Piil, Andre Vare Maret Jaks, Maimu Mölder Dianne Cabansay, Hannah Bacon Gina Angelea, Kristi Toi Greco, Uno Ramat Jaak Järve, Reet Mae We also thank our audiences, our participating filmmakers and our valued volunteers for making this festival a success. EstDocs would not be possible without your continued support. TEAM Aleksa Del Castillo Helena Doughty Kariina Järve Nicholas Jones Kai Kiilaspea Lea Krenin Janne Laanemaa Kaarin Lupp Kristina Märtin Brian Meret Piret Noorhani Elle Palumäe Christina Prozes Anita Saar Kaja Telmet Toomas Trei Eva Varangu Miina Yalle COVER ART Helga Del Castillo Markus Doughty Anu Jõe Linda Karuks Tea Kilch Kaarel Kuurmaa Ellen Leivat Elin Marley Einar Medri Jaan Meri Katrin Otsa Peeter Põldre Lembitu Ristsoo Taavi Tamtik Viive Tork Hiis Ellen Valter Mikk Villem Uno Ramat 10 estdocs

11 Our Home Meite Kodo St. John's Day Jaanipäev Sunday, November 5 at 2:30 pm Tartu College DIRECTORS Meelika Lehola, Daniel Picon YEAR 2016 LENGTH 10 minutes LANGUAGE Estonian with English subtitles Kihnu is a well-known island among Estonians, partly for its inhabitants sense of strong community, their own dialect called Kihnu Keel and other traditions. Lying off Estonia s Baltic coast, this small island is home to a community of 600 people whose cultural expressions and agricultural traditions have been kept alive over the centuries mostly by the island s female population. Kihnu is now facing a decreasing population, which can be a factor of lack of job opportunities or centralization to the bigger cities. Film jälgib kolme 346 elanikuga Kihnu saarel elavat naist, kes annavad endast kõik, et mitte kaotada usku ning püüavad päästa oma kodusaart väljasuremisest. Sunday, November 5 at 2:30 pm Tartu College DIRECTORS Aleksandr Heifets and Jaak Kilmi YEAR 2017 LENGTH 28 minutes LANGUAGE Estonian with English subtitles Every bona fide Estonian has met the midsummer solstice on the island of Saaremaa - anyone who has not, can t possibly know what St. John s celebration is truly about. On the day preceding the holiday, tens of thousands of people wait for hours in a queue that stretches for kilometres to board the ferry to the island. The film portrays those impatiently waiting to leave the mainland and the locals who will stay. The local peopple cannot imagine life without the queue - they've grown up with it, some have made fortunes capitalizing on it, and to this day it offers an entertaining break from the daily grind for both young and old. Everyone s here! For one day the entire nation is seemingly gathered in one place, only to disappear to different Saaremaa bonfires. The long queue of strangers is a giant organism of Estonia s blood pumping through its veins. Oh, keeruta-lennuta linalakk neidu Eesti inimene peab Jaanipäevaks Saaremaale sõitma! Jaanipäevale vahetult eelnevatel päevadel ootavad kümned tuhanded inimesed Virtsus kilomeetrite pikkuses järjekorras tunde ja tunde, et pääseda Saaremaa praamile. Nii moodustavad need täiesti võõrad inimesed ühise hiigelsaba. Meie filmi tegelasteks on nii jaanipäevaks Saaremaale ruttajad kui põlised virtsulased, kes ei kujuta ette elu ilma praamisabata. Sellega koos on kasvatud üles, sellega on teenitud varandusi ja see pakub ka praegu pinget. Ainuke huvitav asi Virtsus, kus rahvast liigub! Kõik on ju siin! Kogu rahvas korraks koos. Et järgmisel hetkel purjetada laiali erinevatesse Saarema otstesse erinevate jaanitulede juurde. Tegelikult on Saaremaa praamijärjekord kui üks suur organism, mille soontes tuksub Eesti veri. estdocs 11

12 EstDocs 2017 Schedule AT A GLANCE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19 ESTDOCS SHORT FILM SCREENING Doors Open 7 pm Screening 7:30 pm Super Wonder Gallery, 584 College St. Pay what you can Cash bar FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3 GALA PRESENTATION & SHORT FILM AWARDS THE WOMAN IN THE PICTURE NAINE PILDIL SPONSORED BY ESTONIAN CREDIT UNION Reception 6 pm Screening 7 pm Bloor Hot Docs Cinema $15 After party tba SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4 COME BACK FREE TULE TAGASI VABANA 5 pm SOVIET HIPPIES NÕUKOGUDE HIPID SPONSORED BY ESTONIAN FOUNDATION CANADA Reception 6:30 pm Screening 7:30 pm Bloor Hot Docs Cinema $10 per screening After party tba SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 OUR HOME ST. JOHN'S DAY MEITE KODO JAANIPÄEV 2:30 pm 3:30 pm RAISING OF THE FLAG LIPU HEISKAMINE Intro by Directors Reet and Tom Mae HOLODOMOR: VOICES OF SURVIVORS HOLODOMOR: ELLU JÄÄNUTE HÄÄLED Intro by Director Ariandna Ochrymovych and Narrator Luba Goy ARTISTS TALK Retrospective with Ülo Pikkov:Animated Documentary BODY MEMORY TICK TOCK EMPTY SPACE KEHA MÄLU TIK TAK TÜHI RUUM CO-PRESENTED BY TAIS 5:30pm Tartu College $10 per screening $20 all day MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6 FRAGILE WORLD HABRAS MAAILM 6 pm Ehatare Pay what you can TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7 LEMBRI UUDU PARADISE BEHIND THE FENCE LEMBRI UUDU LUMI PUNASEL LAGEDAL 7 pm CO-PRESENTED BY HOTDOCS Estonian House $10 MY SONG AND DANCE FESTIVAL MINU LAULU JA TANTSUPIDU Estonian School Private Screening Ticket Info ONLINE estdocs.eventbrite.ca ADVANCE TICKETS In person: Estonian Toronto Credit Union 958 Broadview Avenue, Toronto Mon., Wed., Fri., 9:30am 3pm Tuesday, Thursday, 9:30am 8pm Saturday, 9:30am 1pm AT THE DOOR All screenings STUDENT DISCOUNT 50% student discount available at the door, with ID Screening Venues BLOOR HOT DOCS CINEMA 506 Bloor Street West (Bathurst subway) ESTONIAN HOUSE / EESTI MAJA 958 Broadview Avenue (free parking) TARTU COLLEGE 310 Bloor Street West (entrance off Madison Avenue) EHATARE 40 Old Kingston Road, Scarborough Unless otherwise noted, all films are in English or subtitled. Evening films include a post-screening discussion led by moderator Tristan Priimägi. Doors open one hour prior to screening. All events include a cash bar. For complete festival info, visit estdocs.com. 12 estdocs

13 Moderator TRISTAN PRIIMÄGI Priimägi studied Semiotics at Tartu University and graduated in 2001, specializing in Film Semiotics. He has been a regular contributor to all the bigger press publications, newspapers and magazines in Estonia, writing about film, music and pop-culture in general. He has helped with the translations and promotion work for Estonian films and film events. Since January 2010, he organizes the DocPoint Tallinn documentary film festival (an Estonian branch of the renowned Helsinki documentary festival DocPoint). He works as a film editor in the cultural weekly newspaper Sirp. Filmikriitik Tristan Priimägi lõpetas Tartu Ülikooli 2001 aastal filmisemiootikas. Töötas seejärel erinevates reklaamifirmades ja juhtis kultuuriprojekte (graafilise disaini veeb "Beta", "Plink Plonk" muusikafestival jm). Teinud kaastööd paljudele ajalehtedele ja ajakirjadele, kirjutanud filmist, muusikast ja popkultuurist, teinud filmitõlkeid ja filmipromotsioonitööd, korraldanud filmiüritusi, olnud mitmeid aastaid Pimedate Ööde Filmifestivali valikukomitee liige. Alates 2010 korraldab Helsinki dokumentaalfilmide festivali DocPoint Tallinna üritusi (DocPoint Tallinn). Praegu töötab Tristan kultuuriajalehe Sirp filmi toimetajana. Elagu EstDocs ja Eesti filmikultuur! Toronto Eesti Selts korraldab EV 100 juubelipidu Torontos! Laupäeval, 24. veebruaril 2018 Kogunemine kell 10 Raekoja platsil: sini-must-valge lipu heiskamine, lippudega rongkäik Sheraton Centre isse, kus toimub perekondlik rahvapidu: 3-käiguline lõuna veiniga, tervitused, esinemised, ühislaulud, šampus. Registreerimine peole: (Lastele 12a. ja alla $10; õpilastele $25; täiskasvanutele $100.) Helle Arro: ; ev100tor@gmail.com Elagu Eesti Vabariik! estdocs 13

14 TEPP thanks EstDocs for aiming high and hitting the mark! Head festivali ja edu edaspidiseks. Elagu Eesti film! Raising of the Flag Lipu Heiskamine Sunday, November 5 at 3:30 pm Tartu College DIRECTORS Reet Mae, Tom Mae YEAR 2017 LENGTH 12 minutes LANGUAGE Estonian with English subtitles Fred Ise recounts how a group of patriotic youth raise a flag in the early morning of August 28, 1941 as the Russian army retreats and the German army advances into Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Five hours of "freedom" in the midst of a battle between two competing occupying powers is relived as a story about young people's resilience in the midst of war. An Estonian flag is raised at the tower of Pikk Hermann, symbolically declaring Estonia's independence, if even for a moment. Kapten Talpak kirjeldas oma sissemarssi Tallinna koos sakslastega suurteoses Eesti riik ja Rahvas II Maailmasõjas järgmiselt: Keskpäeval sõitis kompanii sisse Tallinna Pikal Hermannil lehvis peremehelikult sini-must-valge. Fred Ise: "Lahingukära, mis oli kestnud läbi 27. augusti öö vaibus umbes kella kuue paiku hommikul. Läksime Ahju tänavalt kesklinna, koos vanema venna Sveni ja noore meremehe, Helmut Leloviga, umbes kella 8 paiku hommikul." Fred Ise, kes oli sel ajal 16 aastane, räägib oma seiklustest teiste noortega 28. Augusti hommikul kui Vene väed olid segaduses taganemas, ja Saksa väed olid Tallinna sisse marssimas. Selles ainulaadses ajaloolises loos saame teada kuidas lühikese viie tunnise "vabaduse" hetkel, üks väike kamp eesti noori suutsid Eesti lipu Pikka Hermanni torni heisata ja Eesti vabaduse välja kuulutada; kuigi ainult paariks tunniks. 14 estdocs

15 Holodomor: Voices of Survivors Holodomor: Ellu Jäänute Hääled Sunday, November 5 at 3:30 pm Tartu College DIRECTOR Ariadna Ochrymovych YEAR 2016 LENGTH 29 minutes LANGUAGE Ukrainian, Russian, English In millions of Ukrainians died of starvation during a famine engineered by Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. His regime confiscated all their grain, livestock and food supplies. While the world turned a blind eye, at the height of the famine, 28,000 Ukrainians were dying daily, 1000 in one hour, 17 in a minute Soviet authorities forbade journalists from traveling to the Ukrainian countryside and borders were closed. Ukrainians could not speak openly of this atrocity until 1991 when their country gained independence. Through compelling eyewitness accounts from Ukrainian Canadians and rare archival footage, this documentary brings into focus a major historic atrocity, the legacy of which continues to be felt in world events today surid miljonid ukrainlased nälga nõukogude diktaatori Jossif Stalini kunstlikult tekitatud näljahäda tõttu. Tema valitsus konfiskeeris kõik vilja, kariloomad muud toiduvarud. Kuni kogu maailm tegi näo, et midagi pole juhtunud, suri iga päev Ukrainlast, 1000 inimest tunnis, 17 ühes minutis. Sovetivõimud keelasid välismaa ajakirjanikel sõidu Ukraina maakohtadesse ja piirid suleti. Ukrainlastel polnud sellest kuriteost võimalik rääkida enne aasta taasiseseisvumist. Meie tõsielufilm suunab fookuse sellele rängale ajaloolisele kuriteole, mille järelkaja on jätkuvalt tunda ka tänapäeva poliitilistes sündmustes. Filmis kasutatakse pealtnägijate meenutusi ning haruldasi filmilõike arhiivist. VII Designs + Gifts Bring in this ad and receive 20% Off your purchase We look forward to your visit! (regularly priced merchandise only, some conditions apply) Offer expires Nov. 30, 2017 Featuring an extensive line of locally created decorative cushions, unique home decor items, Estonian hand crafts and artisan-made giftware Danforth Ave (just east of Monarch Park) info@viidesigns.ca estdocs 15

16 INTERVIEW Ülo Pikkov Let s Believe in Dolls that Tell the World s Stories KP Can you tell us a little about how a project evolves for you and when you bring in other creative collaborators? ÜP The birth of every film is unique, there is no firm recipe to follow. Of course, it starts with some kind of idea and ambiance. The style and technique comes last. Those I search for a long time. KP Tic Tac presents us with an animated mouse and an actor as a clock repairman in a workshop of mechanical clocks and parts. The mouse s physicality is very fluid. It can climb up curtains, open doors and shut drawers with the physicality of an athlete. What was the most challenging sequence to film? ÜP Tik Tak was completed in about nine months, of which the animation took under three months. The additional use of actors prevented filming any scene more than 2-3 hours. Humans simply cannot stand or be in any related pose for a sustained period of time. The use of the mouse in the film represents an image from our memories which constantly teases us and consumes us. Though when we catch up to it, it brings our demise. The idiosyncracy of such a memory enriches our life. Humans perceive time as ever changing yet disappearing. Time is one of our everyday central concepts and measures. KP How does collaboration with other creatives work for you? Do many people work with you on a sequence as you direct? ÜP I am used to working with a small crew. Typically I have with me one operator and one animator. Depending upon the project, I may also have an artist and a few assistants who help build the characters and set decorations. I have always tried to keep the crew smaller, and thereby more motivated. KP You have been teaching animation for many years and have published a book, Animasophy Theoretical Writings on the Animated Film from your teaching. What has been the main change in animation techniques from the years when you first started working in the form? ÜP I have observed over the past few years the return of the classical animation film. In particular, it is the handcrafted animation film that is once again very popular. Even the bigger film studios are beginning to offer full length animation films, such as Fantastic Mr. Fox, Coraline, Boxtrolls, etc. KP Your film, Body Memory, has an abject beauty in the perfectly formed figures made of string. Yet it evokes a disturbing memory of human beings jammed together in cattle cars and sent to Siberia. What inspired you to tell this story? ÜP Body Memory depicts Estonia s most tragic period of history, Stalin s repressive state and deportations. I wanted the film to depict the past not so much as a translation of history but moreover as a subconscious experience (of the body s memory). Body Memory in the given context can also be viewed as cultural memory, social memory or collective remembrance. I wrote this for a 2011 synopsis of the film: The body remembers more than we can ever imagine, the body remembers its forefathers worries and pain. And so each body contains all the world s stories. Our bodies carry our parents and grandparent s stories, and their forefathers and so on. KP It is interesting to note that the string that creates these animated figures, also traps them like chains in their transport. ÜP When creating the animation characters (dolls) for Body Memory, it was my intention that each character have a connection to something personally valuable. Whether it was family, home or its homeland, as soon as the character was separated from its connection it would physically fall apart. KP Was there a new consciousness in the art form when Estonia restored its Republic? ÜP Although the first Estonian animation film Kutsu-Juku seiklusi (director Voldemar Päts, producer Aleksander Teppor and animator Elmar Jaanimägi) was completed in 1931, the continuity of animation ceased during the Second World War, at which time the Estonian animation tradition focussed its support on the Soviet era and created Eesti Joonisfilm and Nukufim studios. During the Soviet era all films were controlled by the government and like all films, the animation films had to endure ideological censure. Post re-independence, as censure ended, the Estonian animation visualization and creative traditions continued. And so I also consider myself part of those who carry on the animation film traditions. 16 estdocs

17 Body Memory Keha Mälu Tick Tock Tik Tak Empty Space Tühi Ruum Retrospective with Ülo Pikkov: Animated Documentary Sunday, November 5 at 5:30 pm Tartu College DIRECTOR Ülo Pikkov YEAR 2011 LENGTH 10 minutes Estonia What can an old apple tree tell us? What mysteries are hidden in his roots, gnarled over time? Does he remember the serpent and the lost Paradise? Our body remembers more than we can expect and imagine. It keeps alive the stories of our parents and grandparents as well as their ancestors. But how far back is it possible to go in your body memory? The stop-motion animation, Body Memory, takes as its central concept the idea that our body remembers, not only individual experiences, but the sorrow and pain of our predecessors. A powerful visualization of subconscious processes and the hidden horror of deportation. Inspired by historical events: the Soviet deportations from Estonia in the 1940s. Keha mäletab rohkem kui me ette kujutada suudame, keha mäletab ka oma eelkäijate muret ja valu. Nii on igas kehas peidus kõik maailma lood. Meie keha kannab endas meie vanemate ja vanavanemate lugusid, nende eelkäijate ja eel-eelkäijate lugusid. Aga kui sügavale on võimalik oma keha mälestustes minna? CO-PRESENTED BY: DIRECTOR Ülo Pikkov YEAR 2015 LENGTH 10 minutes Estonia The Watchmaker controls time, but the mouse living in the Watchmaker's workshop controls the clocks. Thoughts about time and its ephemeral nature. Animatsioonfilm "Tik-tak" visualiseerib aega, aja fataalsest olemust. Rõhutamaks aega kui metafüüsilist nähtust, saab filmi kujunduses olema rohkesti vanu kellasid ja nende osasid. Kõigile meile on antud oma aeg, kuid meie aeg koosneb tegelikkuses tuhandest erinevast ajast nii on isegi igal rakul meie kehas oma konkreetne aeg elada ja surra. DIRECTOR Ülo Pikkov YEAR 2016 LENGTH 11 minutes Estonia In 1944, Leonhard Lina ( ), a former officer of Estonian Defence Forces, went into hiding to avoid capture and imprisonment. Trapped in a small hollow in the double ceiling of a potato storage and longing for home, he built a miniature replica of it. He crafted 217 tiny pieces of furniture and household items. The doll furniture was meant as a present for his daughter, Merike, whom he d last seen a few months after her birth. Leonhard made for her a perfect copy of their former apartment with available materials. After ten years of being underground, Leonhard received a message that he was not being accused of anything. Merike was 10 years old when she finally got her present. Eesti Vabariigi endine ohvitser Leonhard Lina ( ) asus vangistamiskartuses aastal ennast varjama. Peidukohaks sai vahelaega kartulikelder, kus ta igatsusest kodu järgi meisterdas vähendatud koopia oma endisest kodust. Kokku valmistas Leonhard 217 miniatuurset mööblieset ja tarbeasja. Meisterdatud nukumööbel oli mõeldud kingituseks tütar Merikesele, kelle juurest ta lahkus vaid mõni kuu pärast lapse sündi. Nii tegi ta käepärastest materjalidest tütrele täiusliku koopia nende kunagisest kodust. Kätte sai Merike selle kingituse aga alles kümneaastasena, kui aastal saadeti Leonhardile sõna, et ta võib välja tulla ja teda milleski ei süüdistata. Leonhard varjas ennast ühtekokku kümme aastat. estdocs 17

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19 E.E.L.K. Toronto Vana-Andrese kogudus soovib EstDocs'i tegijatele ja osalejatele palju rõõmu ja head kordaminekut! Fragile World Habras Maailm Monday, November 6 at 6 pm Ehatare DIRECTOR Ants Tammik YEAR 2016 LENGTH 38 minutes Estonia The film depicts two different worlds - man-made and natural - opposites both in terms of content and form. One of the most striking features of Estonian nature is its bog landscapes. Bogs act as a kind of filter by absorbing exhaust gas and cleaning the air for people to breathe. Bogs are also good at safeguarding groundwater. Still, it is not all blue skies ahead for these natural landscapes. The film depicts two different worlds, opposites both in terms of content and form. Products of evolution, the irregular natural landscapes and their inhabitants stand in opposition to manmade regularity. Eesti looduse üks erilisemaid tunnusjooni on soomaastik. Sooalad on justkui filtrid, mis imavad endasse heitgaase ja puhastavad inimestele hingamiseks tarvilikku õhku. Sood on ka head põhjavee hoidjad. Ometi ei ole nende loodusmaastike tulevik sugugi pilvitu. Film toob vaatajani kaks eri maailma, mis nii sisult kui vormilt on vastandid. Evolutsiooni käigus kujunenud korrapäratud loodusmaastikud koos seal toimetavate elusolenditega vastanduvad inimeste loodud korrapäraga, perfektselt sirgete kaevandamisväljadega. estdocs 19

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21 Lembri Uudu Lembri Uudu Paradise Behind the Fence Lumi Punasel Lagedal Tuesday, November 7 at 7 pm Estonian House DIRECTOR Eeva Mägi YEAR 2017 LENGTH 28 minutes LANGUAGE Estonian with English subtitles Until Estonia's re-independence in 1991, Pähkla village in Saaremaa had a kolkhoz which provided jobs for all the villagers. Lembri Uudu also worked in a kolkhoz as a tractor driver. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the kolkhoz was disbanded, most of Pähkla's villagers lost their jobs and Uudu died. But sometimes it happens that a person s real vital force arises after death. Lembri Uudu died at such a time that he became a hero who still gives villagers the power to live and keeps the kolkhoz united. Kuni Eesti Vabariigi taasiseseisvumiseni aastal tegutses Pähkla külas, Saaremaal kolhoos, mis andis tööd pea kõigile külaelanikele. Kolhoosis töötas traktoristina ka Lembri Uudu. Pärast kolhoosi lagunemist kaotas suurem osa külaelanikest oma töö ja Uudu suri. Vahel aga juhtub nii, et inimese tegelik elujõud tuleb välja alles pärast tema surma. Lembri Uudu suri ära nii õigel ajal, et temast sai kangelane, kes hoiab siiani külaelul hinge sees ja kolhoosi koos. Tuesday, November 7 at 7 pm Estonian House DIRECTOR Aljona Suržikova CO-PRESENTED BY: YEAR 2017 LENGTH 46 minutes LANGUAGE Estonian, Russian with English subtitles Russia s biggest summer resort, Sotchi, was chosen as the venue of the Winter Olympic Games of President Putin promised snow for the Games, no traffic jams and big investments in building the Olympic facilities. How did it effect the neighbouring small villages? If they survived the development, could they continue the life they ware used to? Venemaa üks suuremaid suvekuurorte Sotši on valitud 2014 aasta taliolümpiamängude toimumiskohaks. President Putin on olümpiamängudeks lubanud küllaldaselt lund, liiklusummikute puudumist ning suurt investeerimist olümpiarajatiste ehitusse. Mida toovad need muutused kaasa väikestele Eesti küladele seal piirkonnas? Kas ümberkaudsetel väikestel küladel õnnestub alles jääda ja säilitada oma endine elurütm? estdocs 21

22 HUVITAVAID FILMI ELAMUSI! R. Martin Weiler, B.A. Hons FINANCIAL ADVISOR 245 St. David St. N, Fergus, ON N1M 2J8 Direct Cell Manulife Securities Investment Services Inc. 22 estdocs

23 Help build the Foundation for our Estonian future in Canada. Proud founding sponsor of EstDocs PlEasE DonatE estonianfoundation.ca Eesti Sihtkapital Kanadas toetab Eesti kultuuripärandit Kanadas. The Estonian Foundation of Canada is a registered charity supporting Estonian cultural and heritage initiatives across Canada. Charitable No RR 0001

24 Foto: Kaido Haagen Anyone can be Estonian at the Estonian Studies Centre/VEMU! Located in downtown Toronto at Tartu College, the Estonian Studies Centre aims to preserve and introduce Estonian history and culture to all those interested. The Museum of Estonians Abroad (VEMU) is one of the ESC programs and works to connect Canadian and Estonian communities through rich and vibrant cultural programming including concerts, lectures, seminars, workshops, exhibitions, films screenings, theatre, and more in both Estonian and English. VEMU also acts as a cultural bridge between Canada and Estonia by participating in a variety of cultural and research projects. The VEMU archival, library, and museum collections are the biggest Estonian collections outside of Estonia. VEMU has been a member of the group of cultural institutions along one of Toronto s main streets, the Bloor St. Culture Corridor, since Contact: Piret Noorhani Chief Archivist piret.noorhani@vemu.ca vemu.ca Registered Canadian Charity: # RR Bloor St. W. Toronto, ON M5S 1W4 Canada Most of us, living in a foreign country for one reason or another, want to preserve our nationality. In order to do so, we have to create our own cultural environment to suit our needs. Libraries, archives, and museums are part of this environment. VEMU is becoming a museum in the best and most modern sense: a memory and culture institute that collects, organizes, researches, and mediates. Far from home, VEMU inevitably fills the role of a cultural representative for Estonia. The best way to use compatriots living in a foreign country is in the interests of Estonia. VEMU has its own resources and opportunities to do this. Piret Noorhani in an interview with Kaarel Tarand, Sirp,