Today is a day of celebration here in Estonia, and I wanted to celebrate as well. Last time I did a post similar to this to celebrate my 1000th post here on Mettel Ray, and it was fun. A little crazy but mostly fun! This time I’m sharing a 100 scenes from a 100 Estonian films, from 1924 to 2017. Many movies from the beginning of the list haven’t survived, but images have. For me, the selection ended up being random, but there are definitely a few nostalgic and favourite picks here and there. In other words, happy 100th Estonia, I’m proud to call you my home!
All images are taken from the Estonian Film Database
Mineviku Varjud / Shadows of the Past (1924)
Esimese Öö Õigus (Jus Primae Noctis) / Law of the First Night (1925)
Kevade Unelm / A Spring Dream (1927)
Noored Kotkad / The Young Eagles (1927)
Dollarid / Dollars (1929)
Kire Lained / The Waves of Passion (1930)
Vahva Sõdur Joosep Toots / The Good Soldier Joosep Toots (1930)
Päikse Lapsed / Children of the Sun (1932)
Valgus Koordis / Light in Koordi (1951)
Jahid Merel / Yachts at Sea (1955)
Juunikuu Päevad / Days of June (1957)
Esimese Järgu Kapten / Captain of the First Rank (1958)
Kutsumata Külalised / Uninvited Guests (1959)
Vallatud Kurvid / Venturous Curves (1959)
Perekond Männard / The Männard Family (1960)
Laulu Sõber / Friend of Songs (1961)
Ohtlikud Kurvid / Dangerous Curves (1961)
Ühe Katuse All / Under the Same Roof (1962)
Jäljed / Traces (1963)
Põrgupõhja Uus Vanapagan / Devil on Earth (1964)
Mäeküla Piimamees / The Milkman of Mäeküla (1965)
Me Olime 18-aastased / We Were Eighteen (1965)
Kirjad Sõgedate Külast / Letters from the Island of the Insane (1966)
Hullumeelsus / Madness (1967)
Libahunt / Werewolf (1968)
Kevade / The Spring (1969)
Tuulevaikus / Lack of Wind (1970)
Don Juan Tallinnas / Don Juan in Tallinn (1971)
Maaletulek / Landing (1972)
Ukuaru / Ukuaru (1973)
Ohtlikud Mängud / Dangerous Games (1974)
Aeg Elada, Aeg Armastada / Time to Live, Time to Love (1976)
Naine Kütab Sauna / Woman Heating the Sauna (1978)
Hukkunud Alpinist Hotell / Dead Mountaineer’s Hotel (1979)
Kõrboja Peremees / The Master of Kõrboja ( 1979)
31. Osakonna Hukk / Murder on the 31st Floor Part I (1979)
Nukitsamees / Bumpy (1981)
Arabella, Mereröövli Tütar / Arabella, the Pirate’s Daughter (1982)
Lurich / Lurich (1983)
Nipernaadi / Happy-Go-Lucky (1983)
Hundiseaduse Aegu / Dog-Eat-Dog (1984)
Karoliine Hõbelõng / Karoliine’s Silver Yarn (1984)
Naerata Ometi / Games for Teenagers (1985)
Keskea Rõõmud / The Joys of Midlife (1986)
Madude Oru Needus / Curse of Snakes Valley (1987)
Metsluiged / Wild Swans (1987)
Ma Pole Turist, Ma Elan Siin / I Am Not a Tourist, I Live Here (1988)
See Kadunud Tee / The Lost Road (1990)
Surmatants / Death Dance (1991)
Lammas All Paremas Nurgas / The Secret Lamb (1992)
Saatana Pisar / Teardrop of Evil (1993)
Suflöör / The Prompter (1993)
Tulivesi / The Firewater (1994)
Jüri Rumm / Jüri Rumm (1994)
Ma Olen Väsinud Vihkamast / Too Tired to Hate (1995)
Minu Leninid / All My Lenins (1997)
Georgica / Georgica (1998)
Kallis Härra Q / Dear Mister Moon (1998)
Lurjus / An Affair of Honor (1999)
Ristumine Peateega / The Highway Crossing (1999)
Head Käed / Good Hands (2001)
Karu Süda / The Heart of the Bear (2001)
Nimed Marmortahvlil / Names In Marble (2002)
Vanad Ja Kobedad Saavad Jalad Alla / Made in Estonia (2003)
30 Minutit Vaikust / 30 Minutes of Silence (2004)
Sigade Revolutsioon / ‘Revolution of Pigs (2004)
Kõrini! / Fed Up! (2005)
Libahundi Needus / The Curse of Werewolf (2005)
Malev / Men At Arms (2005)
Kuldrannake / Golden Beach (2006)
Meeletu / Mindless (2006)
Georg / Georg (2007)
Jan Uuspõld Läheb Tartusse / 186 Kilometers (2007)
Klass / The Class (2007)
Sügisball / Autumn Ball (2007)
Mina Olin Siin / I Was Here (2008)
Buartino / Buratino, Son of Pinocchio (2009)
Detsembrikuumus / December Heat (2009)
Püha Tõnu Kiusamine / The Temptation of St. Tony (2009)
Lumekuninganna / The Snow Queen (2010)
Idioot / The Idiot (2011)
Kirjad Inglile / Letters to Angel (2011)
Eestlane Pariisis / A Lady in Paris (2912)
Seenelkäik / Mushrooming (2012)
Free Range. Ballaad Maailma Heakskiitmisest / Free Range, Ballad On Approving the World (2013)
Kertu / Love Is Blind (2013)
Mandariinid / Tangerines (2013)
Kirsitubakas / Cherry Tobacco (2014)
Nullpunkt / Zero Point (2014)
1944 / 1944 (2015)
Vehkleja / The Fencer (2015)
Must Alpinist / Ghost Mountaineer (2015)
Ema / Mother (2016)
Polaarpoiss / The Polar Boy (2016)
Luuraja & Luuletaja / The Spy and the Poet (2016)
Mehetapja/Süütu/Vari / The Manslayer/The Virgin/The Shadow (2017)
Keti Lõpp / End of Chain (2017)
Kolm Päeva Augustis / Three August Days (2017)
Rohelised Kassid / Green Cats (2017)
This is a good list. I haven’t seen any of these films but I’m glad someone like you is making me aware that there’s so much more out there.
Don’t feel bad, I myself haven’t seen half of them, even more to be honest. I find it very hard to watch something in my own language and I really should change that. Especially looking at some of these stills, they are stunning. I’m a big fan of the last still and the one that reminds me of Tinker, Soldier, Tailor, Spy.
I HAVE SEEN ONE 😂 I agree with the void here, it’s great that you’re shining a light on all these movies!
Thank you! I am more impressed by the fact that I actually really like the cinematography on these stills. I should visit a few movies based on their visuals, even though the plot doesn’t invite me. Will report back if I watch something! 😀