Feature

The Firewater

Tulivesi
(1994)
Genre:
Director:
Screenwriter: Ott Sandrak, Hardi Volmer
Cinematographer: Arko Okk
Production Designer: Toomas Hõrak
Composer: Olav Ehala
Editor: Marju Juhkum
Producer: Mati Sepping
Main cast: Epp Eespäev, Erik Ruus, Jaan Tätte.
Duration: 93 min
Language: Estonian, Russian, English
Subtitle language: English
Available formats: mov
Colour: Colour

Festivals:

  • The Norwegian International Film Festival (Haugesund, Norway), 1998
  • Nordic Film Days Lübeck (Germany), 1995
  • Stockholm International Film Festival (Sweden), 1995, Participated in Scandinavian and Baltic Film Programme “Northern Lights”
  • Alexandria International Film Festival (Egipt), 1995, Best Debut
  • Vyborg International Film Festival (Russia), 1994, Was awarded a diploma and a wristwatch by city authorities for cinematography.
  • Helsinki International Film Festival – Love & Anarchy (Finland), 1994
  • Virgin Maali – Estonian Association of Film Journalists’ Annual Award (Estonia), 1995, Best Feature Film of the Year (1994)

When Eerik and his companions go on another night sea trip, they are aware of the danger of getting caught by the border guard. Spirit smuggling to Finland during the era of the Dry Law pays off, so the risk must be taken. After all, he needs a house to live in with Hilda, and a boat to work on the sea. And even if something goes wrong, an old man Nymann will help with his money. Yet, Aleks, the new chief at the borderguard office, has different views. Having fought at the Estonian War of Independence, he cannot see that money would buy off the authorities of the Republic of Estonia. While catching the spirit smugglers, Aleks will get involved in a ruthless, big game where friends can turn out your enemies and the other way round.

The film is dedicated to those having the hard and hopeless battle with drug trading. In early 1920s, Finnish government passed the Dry Law that lasted for 12 years.
Eesti Filmi Instituut / Estonian Film Institute
Uus st 3, 10111 Tallinn, Estonia
tallinnfilm@filmi.ee
+372 627 60 04
Rain Põdra
Head of Film Heritage Department
rain@filmi.ee
Triinu Keedus
Project Manager of Film Heritage Department
triinu@filmi.ee

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