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Film Archive

The Birdwatcher

Focus on Baltic Film (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) 2003 / Vaatleja / Estonia 1987

For many years Alexandra has worked in a nature preserve in the north. Her tranquil life is interrupted by the arrival of a young ornithologist named Peeter. It seems that they might hit it off, but a heated dispute turns to hatred. Although they again draw closer to one another, the promising relationship ends in tragedy. 

The Birdwatcher

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 film

90 min / Color, 35 mm

Director Arvo Iho / Screenplay Marina Sheptunova / Dir. of Photography Tatyana Loginova / Music Lepo Sumera / Editor Marju Juhkum, Ingrid Laos / Producer Ants Kriis / Production Tallinnfilm / Cast Svetlana Tormakhova, Erik Ruus / Contact Estonian Film Institute

About the director

Arvo Iho

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.

Contacts

Estonian Film Institute
Uus 3, 10111, Tallinn
Estonia
Phone: +372 627 6060
Fax: +372 627 6061
E-mail: [email protected]

Guests

Karlo Funk
Institution

Arvo Iho

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