Section: Children's Film

The Sleeping Beast

Jaak Kilmi

EE, 2022, 100 Min

Kristjan and his gang like to play on an abandoned factory site. Much to the displeasure of the owner. The old security guard he hires is supposed to keep the kids off the premises. But the kids don't mind. When an accident happens and the guard falls into a deep hole, Kristjan has to decide - help the old man or keep quiet with his friends

Ten-year-old Kristjan lives in a small Estonian housing estate. He and his friends and love to play on an abandoned factory site. They rummage through the items left behind, have fantastic adventures, and get into the kind of mischief that is normal for kids their age. But they are soon made miserable by an old security guard named Elmar, about whom the children's parents are spreading unpleasant rumors. He is supposed to make sure that no one enters the property. When the children repeatedly ignore the ban and Elmar tries to shoo them off the premises, he falls into a deep hole. Since his friends think it best to leave the old man to his fate, Kristjan faces a moral dilemma: Does he abandon his friends and help Elmar, or keep quiet and maintain the status quo?

Text: Anke Donnerstag

This film will be shown in original version and simultaneously translated into German.

Drehbuch
Aidi Vallik

Kamera
Elen Lotman, E.S.C

Ton
Matīss Krišjānis

Schnitt
Andris Grants

Ausstattung
Getter Vahar

Musik
Kārlis Auzāns

Produzent
Evelin Penttilä

Co-Produktion
Dominiks Jarmakovičs, Roberts Vinovskis

Jaak Kilmi - Director Jaak Kilmi has graduated from the Department of Culture of Tallinn Pedagogical University, majoring in Directing. He has (co-)directed and produced a string of award-winning short films; a number of documentary films and feature films. His films have received international recognition and have often been broadcasted abroad.

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