Both debut films offer historical stories set in the Soviet Era, showcasing the unique and unconventional journeys often hidden behind closed doors that the audiences can easily relate to. The comedy Goodbye, Soviet Union tells the story of a colourful Ingrian-Finnish family. A young boy Johannes is born to a single student mom and is raised by his grandparents, while the hippie mom protests against the war in Afghanistan. Strong characters quarrel with each other until mother smuggles herself to work in Finland through KGB and Johannes has to face the life challenges alone. He falls deeply in love with his classmate, Vera, takes risks, gets into fights, and gets punished… all the while, in the background, the Evil Empire collapses.
Starring Niklas Kouzmitšev, Nika Savolainen, Ülle Kaljuste, Tõnu Oja and Pääru Oja.
Written and directed by Lauri Randla, cinematography by Elen Lotman and produced by Peeter Urbla with Mark Lwoff and Misha Jaari. The production companies behind the film are Exitfilm and Bufo (Finland). The director’s filmography to date consists of seven short films, among them Mausoleum (2016), which has won over ten international awards. The short is produced by Peeter Urbla from Exitfilm.
Firebird is a touching love story set in the Soviet Air Force during the Cold War. Sergey, a troubled young private, is counting the days till his military service ends. His life is turned upside down when a daring fighter pilot, Roman arrives at the base. Driven by curiosity, Sergey and Roman navigate the precarious line between love and friendship as a dangerous love triangle forms between them and Luisa, the secretary to the base Commander. Sergey is forced to face his past as Roman’s career is endangered and Luisa struggles to keep her family together. As the walls close in, they risk their freedom and their lives in the face of an escalating KGB investigation and the fear of the all-seeing Soviet regime. Based on a true story.
Starring Tom Prior (The Theory of Everything, Kingsman: The Secret Service), Oleg Zagorodnij (The Choice, Dzhamayka) and Diana Požarskaja (The Unknown Soldier, Hotel Eleon, as well as many beloved Estonian actors, such as Margus Prangel, Ester Kuntu and Kaspar Velberg. The shooting took place in various historically significant sites around Tallinn, Pärnu and Ida-Virumaa.
Written by Peeter Rebane and Tom Prior, directed by Peeter Rebane, cinematography by Mait Mäekivi, edited by Tambet Tasuja, sound design by Matis Rei and produced by Brigita Rozenbrika. The production companies involved are The Factory, founded by Peeter Rebane and Adam Brummond and the London production company No Reservations Entertainment. The film was supported under the Estonian Film Institute’s Film Estonia cash rebate scheme.
Firebird is the first feature for the Harvard graduate Peeter Rebane, who has also studied at the University of South-California. The Goodbye, Soviet Union director Lauri Randla has a degree from Aalto/ELO film school.
The Last Ones is a Nordic Western that takes place in the untamed Lapland tundra. Rupi, a tough young miner, estranged from his family of reindeer herders, is quietly in love with his friend’s wife Riita, who has also caught the eye of the owner of the mine. Starring Pääru Oja, Laura Birn, Tommi Korpela. Written by the director Veiko Õunpuu, together with Heikki Huttu-Hiltunen and Eero Tammi. Cinematography by Sten-Johan Lill, edited by Wouter van Luijn and Xander Nijsten, sound design by Mark Glynne. Produced by Katrin Kissa from Homeless Bob Production, Mark Lwoff, Misha Jaari from BUFO and Ellen Havenith from PRPL.
The Last Ones is Veiko’s fifth feature. His previous films are highly acclaimed, his debut feature Autumn Ball won the Orizzonti Award for Best Film at Venice International Film Festival in 2007.
The films already received critical acclaim and their festival journey keeps on growing. Firebird director Peeter Rebane is delighted that the film will have its second festival screening after London in Moscow, commenting that „the story of Firebird is based on the Russian actor Sergey Fetisov’s life and set in a large part in Moscow.“
The director of Goodbye, Soviet Union Lauri Randla believes the Moscow festival will give an opportunity to see the film in a new light, saying that „The storyline will definitely open up to the Russian audiences differently than for the Western viewer. I believe everyone can find something to relate to in the film.“ The Russian Esquire magazine mentioned Goodbye, Soviet Union as one of the ten best European films at the Tallinn Black Nights FF, drawing parallels with the story worlds of Wes Anderson and the Netflix hit series Stranger Things.
In its 43rd year, the Moscow International Film Festival is one of the 15 FIAPF-accredited A-list festivals (International Federation of Film Producer’s Association). The festival takes place 22-29 of April in Moscow as a physical event, meaning the screenings will be in cinemas.
The festival’s website: http://www.moscowfilmfestival.ru/miff43/eng/programs/
