Viru Film Fund Special Screening: “Happiness Is Living in Our Land” (2025)

EST/ENG/RUS (below/ниже)

Dear Film Lover!

You are invited to a screening of the 2025 documentary “Happiness Is Living in Our Land”.

In the Soviet Union, people are awaiting the 1980s, when, according to the great leaders, a Communist paradise is supposed to arrive. But the truth is far from this: poverty, shortages, ideological control and the relentless production of missiles prevail everywhere, as people try to cope with the growing threat of nuclear war.

In the depths of the bleakest stagnation, in late October 1982, Ivo “Munk” Uukkivi, Allan Vainola, Peep Männil and Villu Tamme gather in a rehearsal room above the garage of a private house in Pääsküla and lay the foundations for the punk band Velikije Luki. The band members experience repression by the authorities firsthand (arrests, beatings, forced treatment, concert bans, etc.), but stubbornly continue on their way, relying on the courage provided by alcohol. A series of chance coincidences leads to the collapse of the entire Soviet Union.

Guest: Taavi Aavik, the film’s editor and sound director.

Running time: 1h 26m

The film is in Estonian with English subtitles.

Registration is open while tickets last!

The special screening is organised by Viru Filmifond in cooperation with the Integration Foundation and is therefore FREE for participants. When registering, please answer the additional questions separately for each participant.

To redeem your ticket, please show your Fienta ticket QR code at the venue.

The screening has been co-funded by Switzerland to reduce economic and social disparities in the European Union.