Andres Sööt

At the beginning of the 1960s, when the French pioneers of cinéma vérité set out to achieve a new realism, and when direct cinema in Québec began to vie for notice, the Baltics wit-nessed the birth of a generation of documentarists who favored a more romantic view of the world around them. This meditative documentary essay – from a Latvian writer and Lithuanian director whose composed touch has long dovetailed with the stylistically diverse works of the Baltic New Wave – pushes adroitly past the limits of the common his-toriographic investigation to create a portrait of less-clearly remembered filmmakers. The result is a consummate poetic treatment of the ontology of documentary creation. Also a cinematic poem about cinema poets.

When we say "Tartu", we mean "Matteus". Arnold Matteus (1897-1986) studied architecture in Germany and worked as Tartu's chief architect during several governments and the war. He was a gentleman, a diplomat, a creative personality and a master of compromises.

Documentary about Hendrik Allik, a revolutionary and a communist, is not just a biographical film. The filmmakers have recorded several episodes from Hendrik Allik's life's marathon. Ene Hion and Andres Sööt have focused on the protagonist's attitudes, evaluations and wisdom.

Documentary about Hendrik Allik, a revolutionary and a communist, is not just a biographical film. The filmmakers have recorded several episodes from Hendrik Allik's life's marathon. Ene Hion and Andres Sööt have focused on the protagonist's attitudes, evaluations and wisdom.

Musical documentary shot in Estonia.

Andres Sööt's portrait of the legendary radio man Feliks Leet, a long-time Pärnu correspondent of Estonian Radio. A lifelike, comic depiction of a tireless newsman in his daily work - conducting interviews and reports on current events and mentoring young reporters.

Andres Sööt's portrait of the legendary radio man Feliks Leet, a long-time Pärnu correspondent of Estonian Radio. A lifelike, comic depiction of a tireless newsman in his daily work - conducting interviews and reports on current events and mentoring young reporters.

Documentary about the St. John's Day festival in Tallinn. Recorded with a hidden camera, the film is full of contrasts and expressively depicts the changes in the traditions of Midsummer's Eve and the emotional impoverishment of city dwellers, showing their behaviour at the bonfires - their loneliness as well as their alcohol-induced exuberant state in big crowds.

Documentary about the St. John's Day festival in Tallinn. Recorded with a hidden camera, the film is full of contrasts and expressively depicts the changes in the traditions of Midsummer's Eve and the emotional impoverishment of city dwellers, showing their behaviour at the bonfires - their loneliness as well as their alcohol-induced exuberant state in big crowds.

In 1985, a lively cultural life was boiling in the dignified building of the Jõelähtme community center, built in 1918. But the eyes of enthusiastic people who practice singing and playing instruments are overshadowed by mundane misery. Everything is in short supply and most of the year one has to operate in a cold and desolate unrenovated house. In the old house, the practices of the village chapel and singing choir take place, youth dance evenings are organized, and a concert dedicated to the anniversary of the October Revolution is waiting.

In 1985, a lively cultural life was boiling in the dignified building of the Jõelähtme community center, built in 1918. But the eyes of enthusiastic people who practice singing and playing instruments are overshadowed by mundane misery. Everything is in short supply and most of the year one has to operate in a cold and desolate unrenovated house. In the old house, the practices of the village chapel and singing choir take place, youth dance evenings are organized, and a concert dedicated to the anniversary of the October Revolution is waiting.

The documentary depicts Antarctica as an aesthetic phenomenon - it is a land of eternal silence and stillness; during its short summer the continent reveals its most beautiful treasures. Filmed during the 13th Soviet Antarctic expedition from November 1968 until May 1969.

The documentary depicts Antarctica as an aesthetic phenomenon - it is a land of eternal silence and stillness; during its short summer the continent reveals its most beautiful treasures. Filmed during the 13th Soviet Antarctic expedition from November 1968 until May 1969.

The year of 1988 in Estonia was exceptional - it came as a surprise for everyone that all of a sudden national symbols were allowed; expressions of no confidence were addressed towards the leaders of Communist Party and Estonian government; the Popular Front of Estonia and Estonian Green Movement but also the Intermovement (the Workers International Movement of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic) were founded. Estonian Heritage Society restored the monuments of the War of independence; the facts about war crimes during the Stalinist regime were disclosed and - imagine that! - the representatives of Estonian Republic went against the central authorities in Moscow. Events in Estonia draw international attention. Is all this possible in a totalitarian state? This documentary chronicle gives a plausibe interpretation of the events that took place in Estonia in 1988, of the changes in people's lives and the awakening after a 48-year-long period of darkness.

The year of 1988 in Estonia was exceptional - it came as a surprise for everyone that all of a sudden national symbols were allowed; expressions of no confidence were addressed towards the leaders of Communist Party and Estonian government; the Popular Front of Estonia and Estonian Green Movement but also the Intermovement (the Workers International Movement of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic) were founded. Estonian Heritage Society restored the monuments of the War of independence; the facts about war crimes during the Stalinist regime were disclosed and - imagine that! - the representatives of Estonian Republic went against the central authorities in Moscow. Events in Estonia draw international attention. Is all this possible in a totalitarian state? This documentary chronicle gives a plausibe interpretation of the events that took place in Estonia in 1988, of the changes in people's lives and the awakening after a 48-year-long period of darkness.

A poetic mood film about the island of Ruhnu. The camera observes the daily life of the island with a slow calm.

Records the rehearsals and performance of Pärt's "Italian Concerto" by the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra during the Festival of Early and Contemporary Music in Tallinn.

Records the rehearsals and performance of Pärt's "Italian Concerto" by the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra during the Festival of Early and Contemporary Music in Tallinn.

Art historian Villem Raam (1910 - 1996) introduces three medieval architectural monuments in Estonia - Karja St. Catherine's Church, Muhu St. Catherine's Church and Pöide St. Mary's Church - in Muhu and Saaremaa islands. All three churches are genetically related. We can see the grand old man of Estonian art history in the situation most characteristic to him - communicating and working with old buildings.

Art historian Villem Raam (1910 - 1996) introduces three medieval architectural monuments in Estonia - Karja St. Catherine's Church, Muhu St. Catherine's Church and Pöide St. Mary's Church - in Muhu and Saaremaa islands. All three churches are genetically related. We can see the grand old man of Estonian art history in the situation most characteristic to him - communicating and working with old buildings.

With his sensitive eye, Andres Sööt has documented various generations of artists in Tartu both in nature and in their studios, at exhibitions, in meetings and gatherings.

Film-reportage describes the most vital moments in Estonian struggle for independence in 1990, also some typical episodes of everyday life of Estonian people, that altogether should give a concertrated picture about Estonia this year. The documentary is a continuation for the director's former film chronicle "Year of Dragon" (1988).

Film-reportage describes the most vital moments in Estonian struggle for independence in 1990, also some typical episodes of everyday life of Estonian people, that altogether should give a concertrated picture about Estonia this year. The documentary is a continuation for the director's former film chronicle "Year of Dragon" (1988).

In the spring and summer of 1977, the musical television film "Miracle Story" was filmed on Toomemäe in Tartu. Despite the fact that all the shots in the film are documentary, you may not see a documentary in "Dream". It is not a reportage about making a film, but rather a vision, an echo that has disappeared but has been.

In the spring and summer of 1977, the musical television film "Miracle Story" was filmed on Toomemäe in Tartu. Despite the fact that all the shots in the film are documentary, you may not see a documentary in "Dream". It is not a reportage about making a film, but rather a vision, an echo that has disappeared but has been.