EstDocs 15^th Annual Film Festival 2019

Welcome to the 15th annual EstDocs Estonian Documentary Film Festival. We have an anniversary. Let’s celebrate together as we look at human relationships through the prism of music, dance, and even the aftermath of conflict in other lands. As we watch this year’s films, we also delve into a discussion about the challenges of aging and a retrospective of a generation of master Baltic filmmakers.

As part of this celebration, we are delighted to have the winner of multiple EstDocs audience awards back as moderator – filmmaker Artur Talvik last moderated in 2011.

EstDocs has come a long way since writer, filmmaker and instructor Olev Remsu introduced and educated us about Estonian film at the very first EstDocs. We continue to build a bridge between Canadian audiences and a nation that values culture highly. Recently the Estonian capital, Tallinn, was ranked eighth among the 50 most cultured cities in Europe and number one in Northern Europe by Wanderu, a travel search platform and fare aggregator. Let’s keep the cultural exchange flourishing.

It is my pleasure to share a note from our esteemed Ambassador to Canada:

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all the many volunteers who have worked diligently to bring us EstDocs over the last 15 years. It is not just a festival, but a cultural phenomenon. This year’s films highlight the struggle of the human spirit to triumph in the face of challenge and change — be it the filmmakers of a past generation who created a new documentary film genre as we see in Bridges of Time or individuals staying true to their ethical principles as we see in Risti Treasures.

Considering Estonia’s population is 1.3 million, nurturing cultural heritage and maintaining the Estonian language is a formidable undertaking. The Estonian Song Festival, which celebrated 150 years this past summer in Estonia, had approximately 30,000 singers and more than 80,000 people in attendance — an impressive example of cultural continuity and of people coming together as one.

Documentary film has had an intimate role in our recent history as well, as early as in 1908 when a documentary clip was filmed of Swedish King Gustav V in Estonia on his way to St. Petersburg. Since then, Estonian filmmakers have continued to hone their craft and excel in sharing meaningful tales of Estonian life in a thriving film industry.

Estonian films reveal the enduring spirit and strength of a country which fought for freedom and independence from oppression and rose up to become a world leader in providing digital services, where access to the internet is a human right.

I am especially grateful to this year’s EstDocs team for continuing to create a showcase for Estonian culture and art here in Toronto. I wish all attendees an enjoyable and enriching film experience.

Thomas Lukk
Estonian Ambassador to Canada

 

And a heartfelt thank you to the scores of volunteers who have been dedicated to EstDocs these many years and believe in telling a good story through the medium of film. I don’t know of a harder working group of individuals who not only “give it their all” but go beyond to kept the EstDocs dream alive. And a sincere thanks to you – the EstDocs audience member – who brings our festival to life.

So sit back and take in the 2019 line-up of films. Hope you enjoy the show!

Maimu Molder
Festival Director