21-01-2014

PRODUCTION: New WWII drama by Elmo Nüganen director of Estonian hit Names Engraved in Marble

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    1944 by Elmo Nüganen 1944 by Elmo Nüganen Filmikamaris pressbild

    ESTONIA: The epic war drama 1944, now halfway through a two-part filming schedule, is primed to continue a tradition of a strong box-office for patriotic war films in Estonia.

    Third in a series of WWII drama, 1944 is set in Estonia when Germany and Russia were fighting to gain control of this territory. Events are told from two opposing perspectives. Jaan Tamm is an 18-year old Estonian volunteer fighting on the German side, in Waffen-SS. Jüri Jõgi is his unwilling nemesis from the Soviet side, a member of the Estonian Rifle Corps in the Red Army. When their lives intertwine, they face the challenge of how to stay true to themselves in the turmoil and chaos of war.

    The film is directed by Elmo Nüganen, who holds the Estonian box-office record from 2002 for his previous war drama Names Engraved in Marble. 1944 is an Estonian-Finnish coproduction from Taska Film from Estonia and the Finnish production company Solar Films. The 1.5m EUR film received funding from the Estonian Film Institute, the Finnish Film Foundation, Estonian Cultural Endowment, Estonian Television and the Estonian Ministry of Defense.

    The first shooting period was in September 2013 and the second will be taking place in summer 2014.

    “It is not just another WWII film. Usually these speak about the grand fight between big nations, but there were also countless small ones caught in-between. We feel this story needs to be told,” producer Kristian Taska said.

    The film is scheduled for release in early 2015.

    Contact:

    Taska Film
    Kristian Taska
    Tartu mnt 18-51
    10150 Tallinn
    Phone: +3725203000
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