LIVE FROM THE INDUSTRY@TALLINN & BALTIC EVENT
A karaoke machine can either make you or break you. There is no middle ground. It’s a love-and-hate relationship. In A Microphone in the Head, a karaoke mic finds its way out of a restaurant kitchen dumpster, and proceeds to haunt the living.
At the centre of the story is a young engaged couple whose lives are shaped by social norms and expectations. The protagonist’s sudden death triggers a chain of absurd events, presented through a non-linear narrative. Whether the film ends happily depends entirely on one’s perspective.
One of this movie’s greatest strengths is its effortless, flowing dialogue and the consistently natural performances. The characters feel so genuine that at times it almost seems as if one isn’t watching a film at all, but simply observing everyday people going about their lives.
The filmmaker also tackles several timely societal themes. These include social norms, sexuality, identity, faith, and the relationship between humans and machines. At times, however, it becomes difficult to decide whether the film is presenting a statement as fact or if it’s being ironic or critical. The message might have felt more cohesive had the film chosen to explore fewer themes, and in more depth. Even the single line “I’d rather have my son dead than gay” could supply enough material not only for a short film, but for an entire feature.
In the context of today’s textile-waste crisis, it’s impossible to ignore the scene in which clothes are discarded at a cemetery. It is a powerful moment that exposes the societal value of consumerism. Continuing the theme of waste, the karaoke machine tossed into the restaurant’s kitchen trash feels equally absurd. Especially since a brand-new electronic device should be anywhere but in a food-waste bin. The marriage proposal that follows, however, is witty and genuinely inventive.
The journey from a cemetery to a birthday cupcake yields mixed feelings. Still, this cinematic experience earns two extra candles on the cupcake, making it a solid three-splat film.
A Microphone in the Head shows in the PÖFF Shorts section of the 29th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. This review was written as part of the Film Review Workshop conducted on November 9th, 2025.
