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My second night at the Tartuff love film festival.  

Previous memories of warm summer nights in Tartu had been replaced by a rather nippy weather. Many eager film lovers were present early again but this time wrapped in thick rainproof coats and blankets. 

Ever since I saw the program of Tartuff festival I was determined to see this particular film. Mainly because it is a foreign film depicting elements of real life situations in Arab countries. 

Where do we go now? is an excellent production by a female filmmaker who also stars as one of the main characters in the film. Nadine Labaki, a Lebanese director collected many awards with this film that portrays suffering and optimism in this isolated village where Muslims and Christians live together. It is a heart-warming and a humorous tale where a love interest emerges on the backdrop between a local bar owner, a beautiful widow and her charming decorator.

The film’s title was always in the spotlight telling the story how the wives joint forces and try avoiding violence occuring between the two religious parties. To me the most suprising moment was seeing one of the eldery widows washing his son with his daughter present in a rather modern bathroom. 

As a whole it is a long film. But the amusement brought by wives, widows and daughters to the remote and scenic location maintains a constant flow and viewers interest. Despite the religious conflict the film illustrates how faith and collectivism preserve life hopeful in this village. 

To me this film was definitely one of the best choices in Tartuff with a different approach on love. 

Interview with the filmmaker about the film. 

http://www.sonyclassics.com/wheredowegonow/presskit.pdf

Some moments of the love film festival Tartuff.

Love is in the air, was my first thought when I arrived at the town hall square in Tartu. The air felt slightly humid but pleasantly warm for a night out. It was the first day of the festival and I was off duty from volunteering. But to be honest I would have made my way to the square anyway, whether I was working or not.

The atmosphere was bustling, people everywhere: some singing on nearby benches, some eagerly waiting at the seating area for the film festival to kick off while others induldged themselves with a drink or two at the cafe bar lounges. 

In contrast to last year, the attendance at the opening night was incredible. An hour before the first film screening majority of the 1600 seats were already occupied. The employees at the cafes and bars located on the square were bringing out extra tables and chairs which I noticed being reserved already. Sharp at 10pm, the director of the PÖFF festival gave a brief and joyful speech. I was observing the violet shades of sunset behind the projection. It was an idyllic atmosphere for an open air cinema. 

George Melier's silent film A Trip to the Moon opened this year's love film festival. I remember glimpses of Melier's filmmaking career from Scorsese's film Hugo (2011). At first it seemed as if I was watching a theatre piece on a projection. For an early pioneering flm made in 1902 it was funny, accompanied with magical and multiple experimental elements. Melier was known for embedding illusions and fantasy in his work. A Trip to the Moon may not be everyone's cup of tea but the soundtrack does make the film more enjoyable and light-hearted even.

Next up was Naked Harbour (2012) by a Finnish filmmaker Aku Louhimes. Quite a few Estonians actors starred in this metropolitan love film. About half a way through the film I felt like I was watching a TV series. The central theme was love and hope portrayed in contemporary Helsinki. Fragile relationships, insecurity, money issues were all in the spotlight, making the film too realistic. Afterwards I heard a comment about the film: 'it was as if looking into someone's home.' Strange but this is exactly how I would describe it. I cannot say it was boring but rather dull. To me, Naked Harbour was a replica of Love Actually (2003) about relationships and love in a urban city.

The last and the third film of the night was The Beginners (2010). I had waited to see this film since it was released and I was disappointed. The story was told in a rather peculiar way with the scene selection going back and forth introducing new characters and events. I found the most fascinating seeing how the main character Oliver (McGregor) had grown into the person he was. As a love story it was sincere, even fragile at times emphasisng the beginners element in the film. To me this film was the highlight of the night even though I am not a big fan of Hollywood films.
  

Tartu love film festival Tartuff returns for its 7th year

6.-11th August 2012

"On love, with love. We can always dream, and sometimes, when you know how to put the vision into words, it’s said, dreams come true…... So, then, let's all set our minds to thinking about love – with love." 

It is a beautiful time to gather in southern Estonia where the annual love film festival takes place. During the warm and long summer nights the country's second biggest city, Tartu attracts many locals and visitors to enjoy the open air film festival. The program features over 24 films screened mostly at the town hall square. It is my second time at this festival, only this year I will be part of the volunteers brigage!

"With the help of leaders and visionaries in their respective fields, we’d like to turn it into a city wide cultural festival where the various fine arts would meet on the streets, squares and back lots. This year is the pilot project, with Town Hall Square and the films screened there still at the centre, but thanks to the leadership of Helen Sildna, we will also see youth ensembles (mainly from Tartu and vicinity) perform in courtyards and cafes. Berk Vaher has been invited to the Paulig tent to lively up Tartu’s summer literary life, and the city’s own stand-up comedians will take the stage. Young landscape architect Mari Rohtla will enrich the cityscape with her interactive landscape and urban architecture installations,"
says Tiina Lokk, Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival's director.

Earlier this sumer I took part of the Isola International Film Festival in Slovenia. I founded it a rewarding experience mainly because of the festival's low key exposure and relaxed atmosphere. Over the 5 days I watched many great films from vivid Bollywood cinema to documentaries about urban life, met few film critics and chatted to some of the filmmakers.

In a way Tartuff embodies a similar notion of a film festival as the one in Isola. Tartu is a relatively small university city, where many interesting art and culture events are being hosted for various age groups. This year the Tartu Music Week and Prima Vesta literature festival will also be part of the overall program. Georges Méliès science fiction film, A Trip to the Moon will be the opening film at the Tartuff.


For further information about the festival and program

http://2012.tartuff.ee/eng/home

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