Festivals:
1988 was an exceptional year in Estonia. As a surprise to everyone, use of the national flag and insignia was permitted, an open rift developed the party and government leaders, the Popular Front and Green movements developed, but so, too, the Interfront – communist hardliners opposed to Estonian Independence. Estonian Heritage Protection Society helped restore War of Independence monuments, Stalin’s attempt to destroy the Estonian people was revealed and – just imagine – Estonian deputies in Moscow stood up against the central authorities. The developments in Estonia drew international attention. Could all this really be happening in a totalitarian country? The documentary is a compelling account of the events in Estonia in the year of Dragon, 1988, the changes in the lives (albeit superficial ones in the beginning) and the resurgence of Estonian national pride after 48 years of dormancy.
