The Birdwatcher

Colour, 35 mm
Estonia, 1987, 90 min
Section: Baltic Films

Synopsis

The immaculate beauty of the northern landscape. Life naturally and harmoniously passes by in a woodland preserve where Alexandra has long lived and worked, and it seems the opportune spot for starting up a relationship with a young ornithologist named Peeter. But a heated dispute between them creates near unappeasable resentment on both sides. Although they get over their feelings of hatred and even replace them with an unexpected rapprochement, the promising development of their relationship ends in tragedy.

About the director

Arvo Iho (b. 1949) graduated in camerawork from Moscow’s VGIK film school (1976) and stood behind the lens on seven features and fifteen video films. He has lectured at film schools in Finland, Sri Lanka, and Montana, where he also studied anthropology. In 1992-94 he worked in the film department of the School of Education in Tallinn. Director’s filmography: Games for School Kids (Igry dlja dětej školnogo vozrasta, 1985), the documentary Disturber of the Peace (Narušitěl´ pokoja, 1986), The Observer (Vaatleja, 1987), Only for Crazy (1990) and the successful coproduction film The Heart of the Bear (Karu süda, 2001, ). Iho has also exhibited his photography.