Peeter Simm

Directing

Peeter Simm

Born 1953-02-24 · Kiviõli, Kiviõli District, Tallinn Oblast, Estonian SSR, USSR [now Ida-Viru County, Estonia]

Peeter Simm (born February 24, 1953; Kiviõli – March 12, 2026) was an Estonian film director. Peeter Simm studied at Nõo Secondary School in a physics class and graduated from the All-Union State Institute of Cinematography in Moscow (cum laude) in 1976 with a degree in feature film directing. From 1975 to 1993, Simm worked at Tallinnfilm, first as an assistant director, then as a feature film director. In 1993, he founded the studio Lege Artis Film. As a director, he collaborated with many studios. He also directed in the theater, made language training and advertising films, television programs, etc. He worked as a visiting professor of film directing at the Baltic Institute of Film, Media, Arts and Communication.

Acting credits

Daisy Petal Game poster
5.5

A three episode film consisting of three short films: "Promenade", "Poacher" and "Tattoo". The action of the films takes place in the 1930s in Estonia.

Daisy Petal Game

1978

Täna õhtul... poster
NR

Film portrait of actor Endel Pärn (1914-1990). Pärn has said that theatre is a very simple thing. "You just have to learn the words by heart, then face the audience and say them out loud. And you don’t need to look at the clock. You can see from the audience’s faces when it’s time to stop."

Täna õhtul...

1984

Wishes from the Well poster
NR

The story of a man caught between the gears of life, who has to find the missing pennies to buy medicine before the pharmacy closes. When begging doesn't help, despair drives him to the bottom of the wishing well.

Wishes from the Well

2022

The Blue Carbuncle poster
7.0

No synopsis available yet.

The Blue Carbuncle

1980

The Song of the Summer poster
7.0

While suffering creative and emotional crisis, singer Katrin gives a poor performance at the pop music contest. She decides to turn over a new leaf and write a song that would convey an important message both for herself and for the audience. Katrin's personal drama - the story about her doubts and self-realization - is accompanied by the performances of well-known pop musicians of 1970s and 1980s.

The Song of the Summer

1982

Christmas in Vigala poster
6.0

The Christmas of 1905 in Vigala is not a peaceful holiday. The manor house has just been pillaged during the peasant's revolt; the air is full of smoke of fire and there is the premonition of inevitable punishment. Bernhard Laipmann is a tenant farmer whose wife is asking him to leave home since her husband keeps drawing the attention of the authorities. Having doubts about leaving, Laipmann is inspired by endeavouring towards freedom and equality and alarmed by the violence of the revolution.

Christmas in Vigala

1981

In One Hundred Years in May poster
8.0

Viktor Kingissepp has been the underground head of the Communist Party of Estonia for three years. He corresponds with Moscow, writes speeches for the members of the Communist Workers' Party and makes leaflets for the events of trade union. His purpose is to overthrow the Republic of Estonia since he does not believe in Estonian independence nor in any national ideals. Yet the clock keeps ticking, tuberculosis spreads rapidly, the world revolution is being postponed. What to do in order to make one's efforts work?

In One Hundred Years in May

1987

Sacrifices of Andrei Tarkovsky poster
NR

Dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Andrei Tarkovsky. The film uses unique materials related to the years Tarkovsky spent in Italy, personal accounts of friends and professionals, the shooting locations of his films, to what degree his works reflects his personal life. The film brings us closer to the man to whom contemporary filmmaking owes so much.

Sacrifices of Andrei Tarkovsky

2012

Behind the camera

Võsakurat poster
8.0

Peeter Simm's diploma film about a forest-guard and a Kyrgyz Red Army soldier in Estonia during the German occupation.

Võsakurat

1976

Võsakurat poster
8.0

Peeter Simm's diploma film about a forest-guard and a Kyrgyz Red Army soldier in Estonia during the German occupation.

Võsakurat

1976

Daisy Petal Game poster
5.5

A three episode film consisting of three short films: "Promenade", "Poacher" and "Tattoo". The action of the films takes place in the 1930s in Estonia.

Daisy Petal Game

1978

Daisy Petal Game poster
5.5

A three episode film consisting of three short films: "Promenade", "Poacher" and "Tattoo". The action of the films takes place in the 1930s in Estonia.

Daisy Petal Game

1978

Täna õhtul... poster
NR

Film portrait of actor Endel Pärn (1914-1990). Pärn has said that theatre is a very simple thing. "You just have to learn the words by heart, then face the audience and say them out loud. And you don’t need to look at the clock. You can see from the audience’s faces when it’s time to stop."

Täna õhtul...

1984

Täna õhtul... poster
NR

Film portrait of actor Endel Pärn (1914-1990). Pärn has said that theatre is a very simple thing. "You just have to learn the words by heart, then face the audience and say them out loud. And you don’t need to look at the clock. You can see from the audience’s faces when it’s time to stop."

Täna õhtul...

1984

The Baltic Way poster
NR

A chronicle of the 600 km human chain through the three Baltic states on the 23rd of August, 1989.

The Baltic Way

1989

Our Russians poster
NR

A film about Russians living in Estonia. Some of them have come to Estonia only a few years ago, while the ancestors of others have lived here for generations. Estonia has become their homeland. What do Russians – intelligentsia and workers, old and young, atheists and believers – really think about life in Estonia in the early 1990s?

Our Russians

1991

Our Russians poster
NR

A film about Russians living in Estonia. Some of them have come to Estonia only a few years ago, while the ancestors of others have lived here for generations. Estonia has become their homeland. What do Russians – intelligentsia and workers, old and young, atheists and believers – really think about life in Estonia in the early 1990s?

Our Russians

1991

Stereo poster
NR

A young veterinarian arrives from the city for his first job at a sovkhoz. The cheerful hippie-like young man clashes with the locals who take him as a stranger. The film is a combination of somber naturalism, lyricism, a dash of naive sentimentality and a deep sense of sovkhoz life in the early 1970s. Based on Riho Mesilane's short story "The Veterinarian's First Week". As Mesilane fled to Vienna at the end of the filming, the film was banned and released 13 years after its completion in autumn 1991.

Stereo

1978

Stereo poster
NR

A young veterinarian arrives from the city for his first job at a sovkhoz. The cheerful hippie-like young man clashes with the locals who take him as a stranger. The film is a combination of somber naturalism, lyricism, a dash of naive sentimentality and a deep sense of sovkhoz life in the early 1970s. Based on Riho Mesilane's short story "The Veterinarian's First Week". As Mesilane fled to Vienna at the end of the filming, the film was banned and released 13 years after its completion in autumn 1991.

Stereo

1978

Siren poster
NR

The daily life of Tallinn's professional firefighters. Firefighters waiting for a call at the depot, the dispatcher transmitting the call and the men working on the fire, including professional firefighter Mati Nuude.

Siren

1979

Siren poster
NR

The daily life of Tallinn's professional firefighters. Firefighters waiting for a call at the depot, the dispatcher transmitting the call and the men working on the fire, including professional firefighter Mati Nuude.

Siren

1979

Standing by the Forest poster
NR

We don't have high mountains or dark valleys, so the forest has become a safe haven from invaders, diseases or other people. For many, the forest is a source of income, for others something like a sanctuary or rather a clinic. Twice in history it has supported the national currency. The most diverse people think about the forest in this film; their perceptions are opposite, but for everyone the forest is something very important.

Standing by the Forest

1998

Standing by the Forest poster
NR

We don't have high mountains or dark valleys, so the forest has become a safe haven from invaders, diseases or other people. For many, the forest is a source of income, for others something like a sanctuary or rather a clinic. Twice in history it has supported the national currency. The most diverse people think about the forest in this film; their perceptions are opposite, but for everyone the forest is something very important.

Standing by the Forest

1998

No artwork available
NR

A documentary about Erki Nool, the winner of the decathlon at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics. To believe in oneself when no one else supports you. To withstand the glare of fame and the bitterness of humiliation. Finally, to hit the mark precisely – like an arrow.

Like an Arrow

2001

No artwork available
NR

A documentary about Erki Nool, the winner of the decathlon at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics. To believe in oneself when no one else supports you. To withstand the glare of fame and the bitterness of humiliation. Finally, to hit the mark precisely – like an arrow.

Like an Arrow

2001

Dance Around the Steam Boiler poster
6.8

The movie travels through the 20th century by monitoring a steam boiler. We see the history of Estonia through life, agricultural work and people at different times.

Dance Around the Steam Boiler

1988

American Mountains poster
10.0

A former goldminer who has run afoul of the law is made an unusual offer by the mafia. The power of money and popularity among women won't let him step down from the rollercoaster in order to make the right decisions.

American Mountains

1994

American Mountains poster
10.0

A former goldminer who has run afoul of the law is made an unusual offer by the mafia. The power of money and popularity among women won't let him step down from the rollercoaster in order to make the right decisions.

American Mountains

1994

Good Hands poster
8.0

The Estonians and Latvians join hands in this jointly produced Baltic comedy about love and theft centering on light-fingered Margita. Everything and anything that hasn't been nailed to the spot winds up in her possession - whether it's a wallet belonging to a passer-by or a Jeep. But the police are on to her and the streets of Riga are becoming just a little too dangerous for Margita these days (played by rising Latvian star Rezija Kalniņa). She decides to break camp and hitchhike her way up north coming to rest at a little place called Vineeri in Estonia, where she soon finds herself looking after an entire household, including three men and a small boy.

Good Hands

2001

Good Hands poster
8.0

The Estonians and Latvians join hands in this jointly produced Baltic comedy about love and theft centering on light-fingered Margita. Everything and anything that hasn't been nailed to the spot winds up in her possession - whether it's a wallet belonging to a passer-by or a Jeep. But the police are on to her and the streets of Riga are becoming just a little too dangerous for Margita these days (played by rising Latvian star Rezija Kalniņa). She decides to break camp and hitchhike her way up north coming to rest at a little place called Vineeri in Estonia, where she soon finds herself looking after an entire household, including three men and a small boy.

Good Hands

2001

Georg poster
5.7

Unforgettable melodies, unique timbre and a memorable, soul-stirring voice. A mystery for women and authority for men, his talent was revered by the highest ranks of the Soviet Union and millions of ordinary people. Georg Ots took the stage when a huge country was recovering from the horrors of war, and his voice returned them faith in a bright future. Few people know what his life was really like.

Georg

2007

A Man Who Never Was poster
4.0

In the final weeks of the existence of the Soviet empire, a number of unusual films were released. In this wry Estonian comedy, a woman with an unusual talent for mimicry which eventually earns her a career on the radio between WWII and the Russian resettlement of that country (with a corresponding deportation of millions of Estonians to Siberia). In an absurd fashion, her self-generate sound effects help her get out of all sorts of scrapes with the authorities. When those fail, her incredible nonchalance succeeds. By the end of the film, it becomes clear that she has bestowed her inimitable imitative gift on her newborn son, as well.

A Man Who Never Was

1990