(29.04.1947 – 21.05.2005)

Olav Neuland was an Estonian film director and amateur pilot. He was born in 1947 and died in 2005 in a tragic plane accident.

Neuland studied acting in the Department of Theatre of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in Tallinn, and cultural education work in the Tallinn Pedagogical Institute. He continued his education in Moscow where he studied in the Higher Courses of Scriptwriters and Film Directors in 1976–1978. In 1969–1972 Neuland worked in Estonian Telefilm as 1st AD, and in 1973–1976 as a screenwriter, editor, and director. He was employed as a film director in Tallinnfilm in 1978-1988.

His first documentary “A Sound Rang in My Breast” (1972) was also his graduating film. Neuland continued making documentaries until 1995. Three of his documentaries were dedicated to Estonian organs and organ players.

Neuland’s best film is considered to be his debut “Nest of Winds” (1979) that won several awards, like the Best Debut prize in Karlovy Vary and the Best Debut Director award in Dushanbe, at the USSR film festival. Actor Tõnu Kark had his first substantial film role there, and “Nest of Winds” brought wider recognition to cinematographer Arvo Iho.

After directing three more feature films – “Corrida” (1982), “Requiem” (1984) and “In the Age of the Wolves’ Law” (1984), and four-part mini-series “Mermaid Shallows” (1987–1988), Neuland left Tallinnfilm and founded his own small studio Estofilm.