EstDocs opens on Friday at 12:45 with a series of short films from the vault: The 511 Best Photographs from Mars, St John’s Day, Lasnamäe and Time, followed 14 Cases at 2:30pm and then by Rodeo (5pm), which documents the challenges faced in having free elections following the restoration of independence in 1992. Join us at the Gala on Friday at 8pm to see a chronicle of a seafaring adventure around the world in 1938 – Ahto: Chasing a Dream, sponsored by the Estonian Credit Union and the winners of the Short Film competition. On Saturday at 4:30pm EstDocs begins with the challenges faced by refugees in 1945 in Geislingen: Coming Home Soon, sponsored by EERO, followed by a 2 hour break and then a special presentation of a black and white feature film, November at 7:30pm sponsored by The Estonian Foundation of Canada. This breathtaking mix of magic, black comedy and romance in an Estonian village where werewolves, the plague and spirits abound is based on the best selling novel Rehepapp by Andrus Kivirähk.
On Sunday, Estonia’s wildlife and nature is featured in The Wind Sculpted Land (3:15pm), the life and dreams of a 10 year old girl in Kihnu in Anni’s Island (12:45) or a 10 year old boy who dreams of joining the ERSO (Estonian National Symphony Orchestra) Ten Ninety Boy Like an Orchestra (12:45) and Why Do I Not Go? (12:45pm), which presents some of the conflicting thoughts and feelings of Estonians who live abroad. The last show at Bloor HotDocs is on Monday at 3:45pm – In the Kitchen, which documents a day in the life of 3 chefs.
What’s New? Estonia commemorates 100 years, as do our neighbours Latvia, Lithuania and Iceland. Hence EstDocs is including the Latvian films: Liberation Day and Paradise’89 and from Lithuania – When We Talk About KGB. These films have English subtitles and feature issues faced by people in the Baltic states. On Monday Jon Baldvin Hannibalsson from Iceland will present: The Nordic Model in the Era of Globalisation at U of T – Munk School of Global Affairs.EstDocs Breakfasts catered by renowned Tallinn restaurant Salt, with directors Jaanis Valk, Erik Norkroos and Helga Merits at Tartu College on Saturday and Sunday (October 20 & 21) at 10am. As seating is limited, please make your reservations online at: estdocs.eventbrite.com. If you prefer dinner in Hamilton, then you may contact cottonfactory.ca/salt for more information. EstDocs is excited to showcase seasonal appetizers created by Chef Vladimir Proskurnin from Salt.
EstDocs is one of the largest Estonian cultural events outside of Estonia. It continues to thrive with your participation and helps to support talented filmmakers who document Visions Worth Collecting through VEMU and the Estonian Studies Center.
Tickets are available in advance online at: hotdocscinema.ca for films shown at the Bloor HotDocs cinema, and for EstDocs Breakfast reservations and Tuesday screenings at estdocs.eventbrite.com or at the door for all screenings. Those interested in participating in the Lecture are asked to reserve a seat online: munkschool.utoronto.ca/ceres/event/25612.
M.A. Tammark
