20/01/2016 - The new films by Jaak Kilmi and Katrin and Andres Maimik are being supported by the EFI

The Estonian Film Institute (EFI) has approved grants to support two new feature films by local directors. The first is a fiction film by renowned documentary maker Jaak Kilmi entitled Sangarid idast (Heroes from the East). Set in the 1980s, the film follows the story of some Estonian boys who escape from Soviet Estonia in a rubber boat and end up in Sweden. Hailed as heroes in Sweden, they soon find the ways of the West difficult to navigate and find themselves on a dangerous path. Inspired by past events, the film promises to be an examination of how people adapt to capitalist societies.

The film is written by Martin Algus, produced by Kristian Taska, and stars Rauno Polman and Kristjan Lüüs. It is a Swedish/Finnish/Estonian/Latvian co-production and is produced by Taska Film. The project has a budget of €1.1 million, with the EFI supporting it to the tune of €475,085. The film will enter production in summer of this year and will reach cinema screens in early 2017.

The second feature by writing-directing duo Katrin and Andres Maimik is Minu näoga onu (The Uncle Who Looked Like Me), a comedy-drama about forgiveness and the complex relationship between different generations. Hugo must take care of his spiteful father Raivo – who believes he is dying – but when a beautiful psychotherapist appears on the scene, both undergo a form of emotional Russian roulette.

The film is produced by Maie Rosmann-Lill, stars Rain Tolk and Roman Baskin, and is produced by Kuukulgur Film. The project has a budget of €550,000, while the EFI is supporting it with a total of €374,400. The movie will be released in spring 2017.

The EFI’s budget for film subsidies in 2016 is €1,315,000. There is another round of production applications in 2016, the results of which will be announced on 21 June.