True Norwegian Black Metal : a travel guide into the “world” of a black metal musician
Ivar Berglin and Peter Beste, “True Norwegian Black Metal” (Vice, 2007) Despite the title, this short documentary is a brief travel guide into the world of…
Northern European Films
Reviews of films from Finland, Greenland, Iceland and countries traditionally considered part of Scandinavia (Denmark Norway, Sweden). I’ve included Estonia and Latvia in this category as these countries have historic links to Sweden.
“Moral Dilemma … Can Ethics Help?” – useful guide on using ethics to determine the best choice to make
Hanneke van Ravenswaay and Ben Jurna, “Moral Dilemma … Can Ethics Help?” (1998) This episode of “The Examined Life” investigates a moral dilemma faced by a…
Sed uz sliekšna pasacina: a very pretty and surreal animated film from Latvia
Mirdza Zivere, “Sed uz sliekšna pasacina” (1987) Made for Latvian-language television in the Soviet Union in 1987, this very pretty and surreal animated short has some…
Eine Murul (Breakfast on the Grass): animation revisits an earlier animation based on famous painting
Priit Pärn and Mari Pakkas, “Eine Murul (Breakfast on the Grass)” (2011) Nothing like revisiting the scene of the crime when you want an idea for…
Põhja Konn: strange little film based on Estonian fairy tale
Riho Unt, “Põhja Konn” (2007) Quirky 14-minute short that mixes live action and stop-motion animation of sculpted figures, “Põhja Konn” is a strange, almost surreal piece for…
Northern European Films, Russian and Soviet Films
Exercises in Preparation for Independent Life: animated criticism of Soviet life and loss of childhood innocence and fun
Priit Pärn and Kulno Luhts, “Harjutusi iseseisvaks eluks / Exercises in Preparation for Independent Life” (1980) In typically insouciant style, animator Priit Pärn serves up another short…
Northern European Films, Russian and Soviet Films
Nael / The Nail (dir. Heino Pars): inventive stop-motion animation short about human nature and revenge
Heino Pars, “Nael / The Nail” (1972) Droll little animation short “Nael” consists of four stories that illustrate aspects of life in Soviet Estonia in the 1970s using…
Linn (City): a well-meaning if dated moral tale about industrialisation
Reino Raamat, “Linn / City” (1988) Earnest and well-meaning, Raamat”s “Linn” is a moral tale of what happens when a town is overcome by industrialisation and…
Aeg Maha (Time Out): Soviet Estonian animation at its most surreal
Priit Pärn and Hille Kusk, “Aeg Maha / Time Out” (1984) “Aeg Maha” is animator Priit Pärn at his most defiantly surrealist best. The entire short…
Nõiutud saar (The Enchanted Island): a sweet and charming film with a moral about unity in diversity
Riho Unt and Hardi Volmer, “Nõiutud Saar (The Enchanted Island)” (1985) Another gem from Tallinnfilm studios and this time it’s a cute stop-motion animation short with…