Shorts National Competition 3 (2021)

Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2021
Programme
Shorts National Competition

The world still feels small. Even though many of us are moving into some sort of normality – whatever ‘normal’ is nowadays – the endless stretches of isolation and distancing have conspired to make life seem more constrained and fragile. Yet cinema – and the films in the PÖFF Shorts International Competition – reminds us that there is still a whole community of humanity out on a big planet full of wonder. That there are people who – even if we have differences – we share a connection with and whose stories show us that any isolation is ultimately temporary.
While the pandemic is touched upon in the programme, the films here remind us that the everyday struggles of humanity still go on. There are loves to be found and hearts to be broken. There are corporations to fight and death to confront. There are mysteries to solve and joy and laughter to be had.

With a range of styles and genres, from dark drama to fun comedy with a little detour into the realms of magical realism, all the filmmakers in the International Competition not only astound with their talent but become a constant source of reminding us that we are still together, even if we have felt far apart.

Laurence Boyce and Tara Karajica

Films

A Most Exquisite Man

Local title
Üks imeline mees
Original title
Üks imeline mees
Director
Jonas Taul
Country
Estonia
Year
2021
Programme
Shorts National Competition

There exists a most exquisite man, or at least the world that surrounds him, labels and sees him as such. He has fantastic abilities, incomprehensible talent, he could even be called a genius, yet something within him is restless. Big questions utterly absorb him, leading him to a place where all he can do is surrender his life, in order to find that which gives him and the natural world undeniable purpose and concluding peace.

Director
Jonas Taul
Runtime
Language
Estonian
Subtitles
English

International premiere

The King

Local title
Kuningas
Original title
Kuningas
Director
Teresa Juksaar
Country
Estonia
Year
2021
Programme
Shorts National Competition

Olev Virkus is a completely ordinary man of no considerable wealth or achievements. Sometimes, however, he has to drop everything he's doing and go away for a while. Only then can he keep on living in peace. Film is based on the short story The King by Mehis Heinsaar.

Director
Teresa Juksaar
Runtime
Language
Estonian
Subtitles
English
Trailer

The Stork

Local title
Toonekurg
Original title
Toonekurg
Director
Morten Tšinakov, Lucija Mrzljak
Country
Estonia
Year
2020
Programme
Shorts National Competition

While smoking on the balcony, Citizen Stork is struck by a moment of clarity, in which he realises that he is not a person, but rather a bird. At the same time, a man and a woman are eating lunch. When a cuckoo jumps out of the clock, the man leaves the apartment in a hurry. The woman and the stork meet…

Director
Morten Tšinakov, Lucija Mrzljak
Runtime
Language
Estonian
Subtitles
English
Trailer

International premiere

Lost in the Rust

Local title
Rooste vahele eksinud
Original title
Bezfilma
Director
Rūdolfs Anže
Country
Estonia
Year
2021
Programme
Shorts National Competition

Although Nauris could use a tractor from his partner in crime, thief Andrejs, Nauris dreams of his own tractor. Two ordinary country men go to the usual scrap metal stealing endeavors until they drank too much, initiating a dispute that turns into a brutal murder and a struggle for survival. The film is based on real events.

Director
Rūdolfs Anže
Runtime
Language
Merjan
Subtitles
English

World premiere

Fotosession

Local title
Fotosessioon
Original title
Fotosessioon
Director
Robert Raska Ly
Country
Estonia
Year
2021
Programme
Shorts National Competition

A photographer is too proud to take money from a friend, but accepts a deal instead.

Director
Robert Raska Ly
Runtime
Language
Estonian
Subtitles
English
Contact email successfully changed
The wanted email is in use in your profile
The wanted email is in use by another user
New alias added successfully
New alias is already in your list
New alias connection failed