LIVE FROM THE INDUSTRY@TALLINN & BALTIC EVENT

Get set for a poignant journey into the past. Karl (Joonas Koff) and Sofia (Carolyn Veensalu) are ex-lovers. They meet in a Tallinn bar on a chilly evening. They expect to rekindle their romantic past.

From the opening scene, the atmosphere is set with striking contrasts. The opening shot of a flower shop window glowing warmly in the dark Tallinn night instantly draws the audience in. A single red flower in the window stands against the muted, gloomy surroundings. This flower becomes a key symbol in the film, its intense hot colour slowly spreading through the narrative, from the plant to the wall, and the onto the neon-lit dance floor. Red here is more than just a colour; it represents Karl’s hope, desire, and unspoken emotions, subtly guiding the audience through his internal journey.

Villeen Sooter’s cinematography adds much needed flavour to the movie. The use of a shaky handheld camera conveys Karl and Sofia’s discomfort and uncertainty in their attempts to revive a past connection. Quick cuts between the characters are combined with a longer display of Karls’s profile. The visual layers are multiple and complex. They accurately portray the emotional turmoil that rumbles in their hearts.

Suuroja uses minimalism to her advantage, allowing each moment to resonate without overwhelming the audience. The empty spaces between the characters’ words reflect their emotional gaps, while the carefully chosen settings and lighting enhance the mood of introspection and regret. A very fine balance.

Nostalgia in Red is both simple and complex. The story is straightforward, yet the visuals are striking, and the emotions are multithreaded. It’s a profound meditation on the complexity of relationships, and the pulls and pushes of nostalgia for love and for bonding.

This short film premiered in the PÖFF Shorts section of the 28th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. This review was written as part of the Film Review Workshop conducted on November 10th, 2024.

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Milani Perera completed her master’s at Tallinn University, specialising in film studies. She is a festival programmer at Tallinn Black Night’s Film Festival (POFF), a festival scout for South Asian Cinema and a film critic. She resides in Tallinn, Estonia.