Preview screening at Kai Cinema: “Black Dirt in Your Face”

Genre: comedy, adventure film, Estonian film
Film duration: 1 h 27 min
Director: Jaak Kilmi
Cast: Timotheus Sammul, Erik Hermaküla, Erling Eding, Carolyn Veensalu, Carmen Mikiver, Ago Anderson
Language: Estonian
Subtitles: English

After the film, there will be a conversation with director Jaak Kilmi.

Inspired by Mihkel Raud’s bestselling novel of the same name, this adventure comedy takes us into the wild world of young musicians in the late 1980s. The blue, black and white flag is still forbidden, but an underground movement is already taking shape in Estonia, soon to lead to the restoration of independence.

Brash 17-year-old Mihkel sets off on a summer journey with his heavy metal band to perform at the most important music festival of his life. His friend and rival Hendrik, whose band has just broken 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. Hendrik promises to respect Mihkel’s position as leader, while bringing along his new girlfriend Liisa, who happens to be the girl of Mihkel’s dreams.

Fueled by youthful bravado and alcohol, the tour gets underway. The young heroes race through the absurd realities of a crumbling empire 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, ends at a massive music festival, where the young rockers must find the answer to the question: “To be or not to be?”

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

Starring Timotheus Sammul (Mihkel), Erik Hermaküla (Hendrik), Erling Eding (Kojamees) and Carolyn Veensalu (Liisa). Also featuring Carmen Mikiver, Nikolai Bentsler, Ago Anderson, Jaune Kimmel, Simo Andre Kadastu, Rain Tolk and others.

Distributor: Estonian Theatrical Distribution OÜ

We also invite everyone to visit the solo exhibition “Island Behind the Sea” by acclaimed artist Jane Jin Kaisen, currently open at Kai Art Center. This captivating journey, comprising seven films, explores the depths of Korean traditions and history. Kaisen’s work is being shown in the Baltic states for the first time.

When visiting the exhibition and attending a cinema screening on the same day, a combo ticket is available for €15 (€10 concession). The gallery is open until 6 pm, so combo-ticket holders are asked to visit the exhibition before the screening begins.