Hiiumaa Cinema: Musta pori näkku

An adventure comedy inspired by Mihkel Raud’s bestselling novel of the same name takes us into the wild world of young musicians in the late 1980s. The blue-black-and-white flag is still forbidden, the border is lined with barbed wire, and even dreaming of freedom is not allowed. The bold 17-year-old Mihkel sets off on a summer journey with his heavy metal band to perform at the first music festival of his life. His friend and rival Hendrik, whose band has just split up, offers to join them so he can impress the foreign music producers invited to the festival. A rocking dream team is thrown together, and the journey begins. To Mihkel’s astonishment, Hendrik has brought his new girlfriend Liisa along—the girl of Mihkel’s dreams. Fueled by bravado and alcohol, the tour gathers pace. The young heroes race through the absurdities of Soviet Estonia and collide head-on with the comedy of the era. This wild road trip puts friendship, love, and dreams to the test. The journey, full of music and adventure, culminates in a music festival, where the young rockers must find the answer to the question: “To be or not to be?”

Starring Timotheus Sammul (Mihkel), Erik Hermaküla (Hendrik), Erling Eding (Kojamees), and Carolyn Veensalu (Liisa). Also appearing: Carmen Mikiver, Nikolai Bentsler, Ago Anderson, Jaune Kimmel, Simo Andre Kadastu, Priit Pius, Rudolfs Apse, Karin Rask, Rain Tolk, Ott Aardam, and others.

The film is directed by Jaak Kilmi (“Sangarid”, “Tagurpidi torn”, “Vari”). The producers are Kristian Taska of Taska Film (“Suvitajad”, “Klassikokkutulek”, “Nimed Marmortahvlil”), Tanel Tatter and Veiko Esken of Apollo Film Productions (“Apteeker Melchior”, “Talve”, “Vigased pruudid”), Janis Kalejs of Film Angels Studio (“O2”, “Sangarid”, “Apteeker Melchior”), and Rain Rannu and Tõnu Hiielaid of Tallifornia (“Pikad paberid”, “Lapsmasin”, “Ameerika suvi”). The film is written by Martin Algus (“Kalev”, “Elu ja armastus”, “Sangarid”); cinematographer: Elen Lotman; production designer: Katrin Sipelgas; costume designer: Anu Lensment.

“Musta pori näkku” was supported by the Estonian Film Institute, Kultuurkapital, Viru Film Fund and Tartu Film Fund, as well as the Latvian Film Centre and Latvian state rebate funds. The film’s sponsors are Alexela, A.Le Coq, Apotheka, Postimees, Kanal 2, Coca-Cola, Tradehouse, and Babe.