14-24 nov 2024
InstituteFestivalProfessionals
EN/NL
Donate
Loading...
MyIDFA
Cohabitants

Cohabitants

Eluteelised
Viesturs Kairišs
Estonia
2024
20 min
International Premiere
IDFA Competition for Short Documentary
Synopsis

Most people living on the Estonian island Piirissaar are of Russian origin. The original inhabitants fled Russia around 300 years ago to escape reforms in the Russian Orthodox Church and to escape the draft. Their descendants still cherish their Russian roots. This tiny island with just a hundred inhabitants lies in a lake right next to the Russian border.

With calm, contemplative shots of the landscape and local people, the Latvian director captures the Estonian and Russian elements that are part of daily life on the island. We see a wedding celebration sprinkled with vodka and traditional customs, people tending graves at neighboring Lutheran and Orthodox cemeteries and men enjoying a sauna.

Two senior inhabitants offer insights into the past and their vision of the future, with reference to contemporary Russia and its invasion of Ukraine. A poetic appeal for the harmonious coexistence of two cultures.

Read more
Credits
20 min
color
DCP
Spoken languages: Estonian, Russian
Director
    Viesturs Kairišs
    Viesturs Kairišs
Production
    Olga Hartsuk for Nafta Films
    Olga Hartsuk for Nafta Films
Executive producer
    Esko Rips for Nafta Films
    Esko Rips for Nafta Films
Cinematography
    Wojciech Staron,
    Tomek Pawlik
    Wojciech Staron,
    Tomek Pawlik
Editing
    Andres Hallik
    Andres Hallik
Sound Design
    Leonid Bragin
    Leonid Bragin
Music
    Juris Vaivods
    Juris Vaivods
Screening copy
    Nafta Films
    Nafta Films

Stills

0
0
1
2
0
1
2
More from the program section IDFA Competition for Short Documentary
The IDFA Competition for Short Documentary showcases a mosaic of styles and themes, exploring everything a short documentary film can be. The selection presents films that use the form in imaginative and ambitious ways, by filmmakers at all stages of their careers.
View program section
Archipelago of Earthen Bones – To Bunya

Archipelago of Earthen Bones – To Bunya

Malena Szlam
2024
20 min