Black Mud in Your Face

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 country’s borders are lined with barbed wire, and even dreaming of freedom is not allowed. The brash 17-year-old Mihkel sets off on a summer journey with his heavy metal band to play at the first 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 assembled, and they are ready to hit the road. To Mihkel’s astonishment, Hendrik has brought his new girlfriend Liisa along—who happens to be the girl of Mihkel’s dreams. Fueled by bravado and alcohol, the tour gathers pace. The young heroes race through the absurd world 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. Their journey, full of music and adventure, culminates at 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). Other roles are played by 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”). Its 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 screenplay is by Martin Algus (“Kalev”, “Elu ja armastus”, “Sangarid”); the cinematographer is Elen Lotman, the production designer is Katrin Sipelgas, and the costume designer is Anu Lensment.

The making of “Musta pori näkku” is supported by the Estonian Film Institute, Kultuurkapital, Viru Filmifond and Tartu Filmifond, as well as the Latvian National Film Centre and Latvia’s state cash rebate fund. The film’s sponsors are Alexela, A.Le Coq, Apotheka, Postimees, Kanal 2, Coca-Cola, Tradehouse and Babe.