The opening day of PÖFF: top filmmakers and impossibly inept characters
News
Elise Jagomägi

Finally, the time has come to celebrate the beginning of PÖFF with the opening ceremony, but there are many different options available today. For example, David Bowie, Finnish karaoke or drifting accompanied by Tiësto. Everyone has their own tuning, on which to stretch the mind between moral dilemmas or just to empty the mind for a few moments.

Today, new films by two iconic directors premiere in Estonia for the first time. Sam Mendes' Empire of Light is a soulful ode to the magic of cinema, starring Oscar winner Olivia Colman. On the other hand, Darren Aronofsky's The Whale delves into deep human anguish in Brendan Fraser's powerful performance and is also a must-see if you want to catch up on this year's standout films.

Next to these two, a documentary film about Bowie has also found a place, which instead of talking heads, dives into the creative world of the person being portrayed. Although with more fluttering vocals, "Karaoke Paradise" entertains with its sitcom humour. The gangsters of "H4Z4RD", in turn, turn the absurd to the last screw and only one middle-aged mother's ability to reach satisfaction on her own is faster than them.

Check out the entire PÖFF program for Friday here.

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The Whale

November 11, Friday at 18:30, Apollo Kino Solaris

Professor Charlie's webcam has been "out of action" during zoom classes for longer than anyone can remember. No one can guess that the real reason for Charlie's camera failure is his appearance: after the death of his beloved, Charlie, who has done everything with his hand, weighs 300 kilos and his heart is failing. But the man refuses to go to the hospital. The new film from the always intriguing director Darren Aronofsky combines love, grief, anger and the winding road to understanding.

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Moonage Daydream

November 11, Friday at 21:00, Apollo Kino Solaris

This is not a cradle-to-grave documentary about one of the greatest pop icons of all time, David Bowie. In front of us unfolds like a cinematic kaleidoscope, Bowie's performances in different decades, with excerpts on Bowie's beliefs playing in the background, which do not sound like interviews, but rather deeper than average introspections. The result is a film that is visually as innovative and mysterious as the central character of its story.

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Burning Days

November 11, Friday at 18:00, Kino Artis

Emre, a young and dedicated prosecutor, is assigned to work in Yaniklar, which has been hit by a water crisis and political scandals. Before long, the young man is dragged into local politics and intrigue against his will. Elections are coming and the water crisis has turned into a war of ideologies and personalities. Turkish director Emin Alper's film Burning Days is part crime thriller, part western. It had its world premiere at the prestigious Un Certain Regard program in Cannes.

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Karaoke Paradise

November 11, Friday at 20:45, Kino Artis

Finns don't talk, Finns sing - karaoke. This is a warm and humorous story about Finns who have invented a unique way to overcome loneliness - let sadness and pain go away when karaoke begins, no matter where, even in the most incredible places, from the sauna stage to the garage. The film is part of the preliminary selection of the best documentaries of the year by the European Film Academy.

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Empire Of Light

November 11, Friday at 18:00, Apollo Kino Solaris

The glory days of the cinema called the "Empire" were back in the early 80s. Hilary opens the cinema doors in the morning and closes them in the evening. In the meantime, you need to sell tickets and sweets to customers and go to the cinema manager's office after work to help him cheat on his partner. The inconsolable routine is interrupted when a handsome new employee comes to work at the cinema. Sam Mendes' drama is a kind of love letter to cinemas, whose halls are filled with movie magic.

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The Year I Started Masturbating

November 11, Friday at 18:45, Coca-Cola Plaza

Hanna is an ambitious overachiever with a great family and a career on the rise. Just when Hanna finally decides to sacrifice her well-paying job to spend more time with her family, her partner Morten leaves her. Hanna will do everything to win him back. But to get there, he must achieve something much more important: love herself just as strongly.

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H4Z4RD

November 11, Friday at 22:00, Coca-Cola Plaza

"Fast and Furious" - but ten times faster, more furious, bloodier and more ridiculous. "H4Z4RD" is a perfect blend of the horror, action and thriller genre, accompanied by the ear-splitting EDM beats of Darude and Tiësto. Noah is a former gang leader who now devotes himself to his family. But, as usual, a final piece of work needs to be done first. One of the best party movies of the year, inspired by Spielberg and Bava's earlier work.