Synopsis

The epic war drama 1944 by Elmo Nüganen takes place during a bloody battle of the second world war in the Baltic states. Voluntary organisations from Denmark, East Prussia, Flanders, The Netherlands, Norway and the Walloon region as well as many young people from Estonia fought on the side of Hitler-Germany against the red army of Stalin. Mainly Baltic people were the most motivated, because they were worried, that the Sowjets would, in the case of failure, occupy their territory again. But also on the Russian side were many of their people, mainly the ones, who were deported to Siberia with thousands of others some years before. The movie, which rehabilitates a still being akward historical topic, is narrated by the 18-year old soldier Jaan, who voluntarily works fort he Germans and who ist he enemy of Juri, another Estonian boy. Important decisions need to be made, not only by the two of them, but also in their peer group. The country and his residents are threatened to be scrunched in the millstones of the big powers. The haunting and action packed movie shows the brutal reality of war, but also captivates you with a lot of poetic sensitiveness and transports hope and the fear of the soldiers and their families in an authentic way.

Guests

Elmo Nüganen

Elmo Nüganen  
Director 1944 and actor Tangerines
In Vienna: October 1-4