QUICK’N DIRTY: LIVE FROM TALLINN
There are no simple truths about immigration, escape from wars, and the new beginnings abroad, as anyone who has ever left their country of origin can confirm. In this documentary, three Ukrainian girls aged 12 to 14 – Masha, Irina and Arisa- speak about their lives in Estonia, post full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation on February 24 2022. They were left traumatised, scared, and left to fend for themselves in a foreign land. This is a tale of lost hope and a newfound joy alike, connecting the destinies of young women who reminisce about their past and look forward to their new lives simultaneously .
The Estonian director, writer and cinematographer Katrina Lehismäe takes a very tender approach towards her protagonists, who let their feelings loose in front of her lens. She establishes a deep connection with the female characters – daughters and mothers alike – letting them bond, discuss, and open up. Occasionally, they refuse to speak about certain chapters of their existence, particularly those connected to the family left in Ukraine. On the other hand, they are very vocal about the war. The only thing the audience needs to do is prick up their ears, lean back and listen and watch what is happening on the screen, warming up to these very personal and intimate stories.
While the director remains neutral and non-judgmental – perhaps even stone-cold -, this cannot be described as a fly-on-the-wall type of documentary. Lehismäe subtly interacts with her subjects, allowing audiences in and out of the lives of these women. Nothing we see is quite what it looks like. Raw, touching and unspoiled by exoticisation, Lost Stars Of Horoscope takes viewers on a fine-paced journey through the routine of these women in Tallinn and Tartu (Estonia’s capital and second largest city, respectively). The characters dream of going back to their homeland, reuniting with their fathers, brothers or stepdads, or venturing further into other parts of Europe, be that Denmark or Turkey. Each of the three woman has a distinctive outlook at life, and priorities. They reflect about their families with a pinch of love and salt. And they have big dreams,
In the EU fortress, freedom always comes with a price tag. Both the director and her subjects have to learn the rules pf the game very quickly. The language and the mentality are very different. At times, the cultural distance looks just too big to be bridged. Yet they never surrender, and continue to adapt to the requirements of the host nation. Estonia, on the other hand, is grappling with its own problems. The small Baltic nation lives under the shadow of yet another Russian invasion. Putin’s regime poses challenges that threaten to paralyse this generous host country.
Estonia’s resolve in the face of a huge menace from the East is an example of bravery. But there is an internal enemy they must overcome: the bureaucracy preventing refugees from settling in more comfortably.
Lost Stars of the Horoscope just premiered in the Doc@PÖFF Baltic Competition of the 29th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. This gentle documentary, with an approachable narrative and deep respect for its subjects, is likely to tour the international film festival circuit.
