A retrospective of my work inspired by Tate Britain's Looking at the View exhibition.

The last night of Tartuff love film festival

The first film of the night was Chico and Rita (2010) by three directors Trueba, Mariscal and Errando. It's an animated feature film about music, connecting a Cuban piano player and a beautiful latino singer.

The tale begins in 1940s Havana and follows both of the main characters careers throughout the years from Havana to New York and Las Vegas to Paris. All the locations and cities are beautifully drawn on with resemblance to reality and producing great cinematography. Graphically the film is superb. Even the nude are full of detail making it a definite adult cartoon. The tale also illustrates the peculiarity of the history of racism in the jazz era.

In the film various incidents and Rita’s excellent career opportunities tear the two apart. Over the years it is their love for music and each other that keeps Chico and Rita going. Their intriguing journeys throughout the film prove that their love is everlasting, even after being 48 years apart.  

As a whole the film combines an amazing story of jazz music and a passionate love story.

The festival’s last film was Cafe De Flore (2011) by a French-Canadian director Jean Marc Vallee. His previous films include the highly successful C.R.A.Z.Y.(2005) and the Young Victoria (2009).

The name "Cafe De Flore" is famous in many ways. According to the director his inspiration for the film was the clubbing hit and his own experience as a DJ.

I had mixed feelings throughout the film, from odd to melancholy. But it is the soundtrack that mellows the emotions in the film. The two separate love stories are portrayed in contemporary Canada and in 1960s Paris. In Canada, a handsome father of two and successful DJ Antoine (Kevin Parent) hits a mid-life crises. There is his wife whom he considers his soulmate and there is another younger women he falls for. While in Paris, Jacqueline, a single mum (Vanessa Paradis) is determined to raise her child, who has Down syndrom, to be as normal everyone else in the society.

About thought I kept thinking, where is the connection between these two love stories? On one hand, the film is confusing. On the other hand, the film's crosscuts and flashbacks add an intriguing twist. From a psychological angle it is interesting to observe the soulmates. Does the notion of soulmates exist or even last? At the same time Antoine’s mum Jacqueline tries to separate his son from Vero, a new girl from school also with Down syndrome. The children are inseparable since the moment they meet. Could they be soulmates at the age of six?

The tale becomes a mystery when the mother of Antoine’s daughters goes through a spiritual healing and connects with Jacqueline’s suffering in her dreams. Juxtaposing the heart break of the two women immerses the viewer in this emotional clash even more. However, there is light shining at the end of the tunnel, in the end they all let go. 

CAFE DE FLORE was RATED THE PUBLICS FAVOURITE FILM AT TARTUFF LOVE FILM FESTIVAL (2012)

Last Thursday was the first night when I officially started volunteering. I was working at Genialistid (Gen) club in Tartu, part of the Tartu Music Week. Because this year’s film festival included the "Prima Vesta" literary festival and Tartu Music Week, the volunteers also had a chance to pick and choose between events. For a week every night gigs took place at the Paulig coffee tent and in many other eccentric cafes and lounges in Tartu.

Before heading to work I thought to myself, what am I suppose to wear? Wherever I have worked at there has always been a dress code or a uniform. Luckily it turned out that there wasn't a dress code. Excellent!

When I arrived at "Gen club" my colleague was already present. An intelligent and sweet looking girl studying English literature at the Tartu University. 

Our table was positioned between two floors, dim lighting exposing the black graphic figures on the bloody orange walls. There was such a chilled atmosphere in the club. We were given a box of CD’s of the artists’ performing at the Music Week. It was my first experience selling and promoting emerging and already established Estonian musicians. When I checked out the schedule I spotted only one familiar name, Mimicry.

On Thursday night there were three bands: Galvanic Elephants, Elephants from Neptune, Barthol Lo Meyor. It was also a chance for us, the volunteers to enjoy the festival. My lovely fellow volunteer was familiar with some of the bands music. No wonder she was eager to attend the first gig. I stayed behind our little table with a friend of mine, listening to the gig and swinging along to the funky electro beats.

Galvanic Elephants was the first band performing that night. The band of four played a mix of punk, electro and chillout. At one point it was confusing to figure out what type of music it is as it varied from one song to another. But Galvanic Elephants were the public's favourite band of the night! We sold quite a few of their CDs.

Last up was Barthol Lo Meyor who plays raw electronic clubbing beats, which has also been categorised as "trash electro". Enjoyable if you like dance music and clubbing!

Galvanic Elephants

http://www.galvanicelephants.com/

Elephants from Neptune

http://soundcloud.com/elephants

Barthol Lo Meyor

http://www.fluon.blogspot.co.uk/

The line-up on Friday night: Machineries of Joy, Mart Avi & Ajukaja feat. Steve Vanoni and Mimicry.

This night attracted a different type of crowd. More adults, professionals, the capital’s "big wigs", DJ’s and fashionistas. It was a great experience catching up with the music scene in Estonia and not just the mainstream artists. I sensed quite a few bands had a progressive electro vibe in common.

"Machineries of Joy" performed an interesting mix of funky electro acoustic rhythm. At times it felt so surreal I thought it was Sunday even though it was a Friday night. I was eager to go out later and not straight to bed. 

"Mimicry" was the only band whose music I had heard before. Their video "Heat" is one awesome video. To me this duo’s performance was the highlight of the night. Upbeat, mind-blowing punk and electro mixed together. I could see the vibe in the room really reached the band's aim – to evoke emotions never felt before. Superb! 

During these two days I volunteered in the Gen club I realised that festivals are an excellent opportunity to enjoy the music and films for free. Cannot wait for the next opportunity!  

Machineries of Joy

http://soundcloud.com/machineriesofjoy

Mart Avi

http://soundcloud.com/martavi

Ajukaja

http://soundcloud.com/ajukaja

Mimicry

http://mimicry.varjend.com/

My Estonia on Instagram