Rein Maran

Mermaids and humans have crossed paths throughout millennias.Their generally peaceful coexistence is described in naiadological literature, as well as in the folklore of many nations. Our mermaid people are poetic and mysterious - we meet these gentle and femininely charming creatures in nature and in the everyday life around us. The film follows the principles of scientific lyricism, and takes the viewer through the history of naiadology and introduces the main types of mermaids. The mermaids were captured in beautiful places in Estonian waters.

Interesting and fancy spring tournaments are commencing on the beach meadows. The male ruffs gather here for their spectacular and complex lekking. It is the content of their life. The male bird's plumage beats the cleverest fashion designer's fantasies. We can distinguish the main players, showing off their bright collars, from their satellites and the rejected. In contrast to many other lekking games, the ruffs' lekking has lost its combative character and become completely ritualistic.

Interesting and fancy spring tournaments are commencing on the beach meadows. The male ruffs gather here for their spectacular and complex lekking. It is the content of their life. The male bird's plumage beats the cleverest fashion designer's fantasies. We can distinguish the main players, showing off their bright collars, from their satellites and the rejected. In contrast to many other lekking games, the ruffs' lekking has lost its combative character and become completely ritualistic.

There are more than 800 known grove sites in Estonia, the ancient holy places of nature. Groves were protected by the religious customs of rural people and its natural environment stayed intact. This way, every grove formed into an original ecosystem due to local conditions of climate, water and soil. Many groves are well-preserved today, some of them, however, are completely gone except a few landscape marks left behind of its existence. The main value of Estonian nature gradually opens up - the variety of the nature surrounding us. Unfortunately, we are not always able to understand the value as the source of balance and inner force. In today's fast-paced lifestyle, it is worth perceiving the Finno-Ugric boreal life and its richness.

There are more than 800 known grove sites in Estonia, the ancient holy places of nature. Groves were protected by the religious customs of rural people and its natural environment stayed intact. This way, every grove formed into an original ecosystem due to local conditions of climate, water and soil. Many groves are well-preserved today, some of them, however, are completely gone except a few landscape marks left behind of its existence. The main value of Estonian nature gradually opens up - the variety of the nature surrounding us. Unfortunately, we are not always able to understand the value as the source of balance and inner force. In today's fast-paced lifestyle, it is worth perceiving the Finno-Ugric boreal life and its richness.

There are more than 800 known grove sites in Estonia, the ancient holy places of nature. Groves were protected by the religious customs of rural people and its natural environment stayed intact. This way, every grove formed into an original ecosystem due to local conditions of climate, water and soil. Many groves are well-preserved today, some of them, however, are completely gone except a few landscape marks left behind of its existence. The main value of Estonian nature gradually opens up - the variety of the nature surrounding us. Unfortunately, we are not always able to understand the value as the source of balance and inner force. In today's fast-paced lifestyle, it is worth perceiving the Finno-Ugric boreal life and its richness.

Aranei - spiders on web threads, leaves of grass and tree bark that may remain unnoticed and misunderstood from the height of the human eye.

Toad, the primeval inhabitant of the earth. One of the first living creatures who dared to venture from sea to land and some of whose species are now finding their way to the books of endangered species. Who are they really, these witch's creatures?

Toad, the primeval inhabitant of the earth. One of the first living creatures who dared to venture from sea to land and some of whose species are now finding their way to the books of endangered species. Who are they really, these witch's creatures?

A wonderful story about how brothers, who came to the forestry during the summer holidays, raised a crane, wolf cubs and other forest animals. The boys learned to love to value and respect both nature itself and its inhabitants, and also realized the responsibility of man for the safety of flora and fauna.

A wonderful story about how brothers, who came to the forestry during the summer holidays, raised a crane, wolf cubs and other forest animals. The boys learned to love to value and respect both nature itself and its inhabitants, and also realized the responsibility of man for the safety of flora and fauna.

A lot remains to be found out about the spirit bird of ancient Estonians, the crane. Rein Maran's magical camera and the informativity that surprises us in his films time and again have produced a science film with a high artistic value.

Every year, the local people gather with their guests in Samma village in Virumaa near Tammealuse hiie to celebrate the beginning of summer. Memories bring us the knowledge of summer holidays as an important and joyful spring holiday for the rural people, which has been celebrated in Estonia through the ages to greet the coming summer. The summer holidays or summers included many traditional activities - tidying up the home and its surroundings, decorating with birches, going to the sauna. The party itself took place at the nearest ski resort, where a swing and a campfire were erected. The whole family came here. Various rituals were sung, danced, swung, played, eaten and performed. Something has come of this today. The film brings a part of it to the viewers.

One summer, the life cycle of one great crested grebe couple. Screenwriter, director and cinematographer Rein Maran.

One summer, the life cycle of one great crested grebe couple. Screenwriter, director and cinematographer Rein Maran.

The common European adder, the only venomous snake native to Estonia, has often been feared and hated among the people. "Tavaline rästik" attempts to see behind the fears and introduce this unique reptile.

The common European adder, the only venomous snake native to Estonia, has often been feared and hated among the people. "Tavaline rästik" attempts to see behind the fears and introduce this unique reptile.

Estonian primitive and untouched bogs and folk songs. Composer Lepo Sumera, singer Anne Maasik.

Estonian primitive and untouched bogs and folk songs. Composer Lepo Sumera, singer Anne Maasik.

The author Rain Maran introduces us to the national symbol of the country, the village swallow, as well as to the urban swallow and the coastal swallow, or shorebird. The music for the film was written by Urmas Sizask.

The author Rain Maran introduces us to the national symbol of the country, the village swallow, as well as to the urban swallow and the coastal swallow, or shorebird. The music for the film was written by Urmas Sizask.

A documentary about the multitude of insect, bird and animal species in the nature.

Rein Maran's film about one of the most beautiful and mysterious animals in our forests. Maran was assisted by cameraman Tõnu Talpsep, artist Ants Säde, sound cameraman Enn Säde, composer Urmas Sisask and others.

A documentary film showing works exhibited at the national student art exhibition in the Tallinn Art Hall. The film features folk music arrangements by Veljo Tormis and Edgar Arro.

Cornflower - a common weed in a rye field ... A modest bouquet of cornflowers, which is repeatedly given to survivors, mating couples and all those who want to be modestly and dignified. Rye flowers also commemorate the deceased. The image of a cornflower almost always appears on the rosy rugs of Muhu and Western Estonia, and elsewhere in the embroidery of folk costumes. The cornflower is the national flower of Estonia - a symbol of a rich life.