Feature Films

Surnuaiavahi tütarDie Tochter des FriedhofwärtersThe Graveyard Keeper's Daughter

Estonia 2011, 100 Min., English subtitles

On the one hand, Lucia could be mistaken for an Estonian Pippi Longstocking. The nine-year-old's life is full of pranks and exuberance. But on the other it is full of problems: She lags behind at school, her father Kaido's income as a gravedigger and casual labourer is insufficient to suport the family, her mother Maria is an alcoholic. While a mutual holiday in Finland brings a few rays of light into their family life as they stay with Sirpa, a supportive reverend, their plight grows all the more unbearable when they return. A new teacher seeks to put Lucia in the care of a children's home, and when Kaido leaves his family in a state of despair, Lucia's mother can no longer put up any resistance - the more so as her drinking problem conjures up a tragic catastrophe. Director Katrin Lauer takes a sensitive approach to recounting the idyllic moments of a childhood in the country while also depicting its dark aspects in their full intensity - and shows what it can be like for a child to grow up in an economically weak region in Europe.

Director Katrin Laur

Screenplay Katrin Laur

Cast Maria Avdjushko (Maria), Rain Simmul (Kaido), Kerttu-Killi Grenman (Lucia), Esther Kõiv (Jats), Ulla Reinikainen (Sirpa), Epp Eespäev (Tuvike), Ülle Kaljuste (Anne), Arvo Kukumägi (Joss)

Website www.graveyardkeepersdaughter.com

Trailer www.graveyardkeepersdaughter.com/eng/Audio-video.html

The film in the Film Days catalogue [PDF-Download]