In 2018, Estonia is celebrating its first 100 years. Add to that the 60th anniversary of Nukufilm, the world’s oldest running stop motion studio - and one of the finest, too - and a celebratory programme is certainly required.
Nukufilm (meaning ’puppet film’) was born as part of the Tallinnfilm studio, established in 1957 by Elbert Tuganov. When Estonia regained independence in 1991, Nukufilm continued to operate as a private company owned by the filmmakers.
Over the years, Nukufilm has seen film technology evolving in great leaps – yet, the basic techniques of the puppet film remain the same. The animation team will manually build a detailed set and make every single puppet by hand; then shoot frame by frame, making tiny changes to the puppets in between, thus creating the illusion of movement. Still at this day and age, a time consuming process with computers minimally involved.
This retrospective focuses on the last 15 years, with a discerning selection of seven films from five Nukufilm directors and one Norwegian guest. Be prepared for a dose of existential angst, surrealist humour and avant-garde flavoured irony, all hallmarks of Estonian animation.
Curated by Andres Mänd
Text sources:
G. Bendazzi (2016): Animation a World History I-III; PÖFF (2017): Nukufilm 60;
http://www.nukufilm.ee/
Print Source: Maret Reismann - Nukufilm OÜ, e: nukufilm[at]nukufilm.ee
Animasjon fra Estland | Estonian Animation (Total: 95 min.) Lør | Sat 13:00 [Nova 2]
EST 2015 | Ani. | 18 min.
Director: Riho Unt
THE MASTER (Isand)
Hunden og apen, Popi og Huhuu, venter på at deres mester kommer hjem, men en dag kommer han ikke lenger. Fra denne dagen starter deres nye liv sammen. Leireanimasjon.
The dog and the monkey, Popi and Huhuu, are waiting for their Master to come home, but one day he just isn’t coming any more. From this day, their new life together starts. Clay animation.
Script, editing: Riho Unt | Camera: Ragnar Neljandi | Animation: Andres Tenusaar, Märt Kivi | Music: Arvo Pärt, Lepo Sumera
Production: Andrus Raudsalu - Nukufilm OÜ
Contact: Maret Reismann - Nukufilm OÜ, e: nukufilm[at]nukufilm.ee
EST 2006 | Ani. | 10 min.
Director: Mati Kütt
THE INSTITUTE OF THE DREAM (Une instituut)
Når det er på tide å sove, dukker Ole Lukkøyes fotspor opp fra intet i sanden. Sammen med putedamene strør Ole sand i øynene til grisungen, mennene i svart, kaninjegeren og engelen Tõnu. En surrealistisk stop-motion (pixilasjon) animasjon.
When it’s time to sleep, out of nowhere, the Sandman’s footprints appear in the sand. Along with Pillow Ladies, the Sandman sprinkles sand into the eyes of the piglet, the men in black, the rabbit-hunting huntsman and the angel Tõnu. A surreal stop motion (pixilation) animation.
Script, design: Mati Kütt | Camera: Urmas Jõemees | Animation: Märt Kivi, Raivo Möllits, Rait Siska, Urmas Jõemees
Production: Arvo Nuut - Nukufilm OÜ
Contact: Maret Reismann - Nukufilm OÜ, e: nukufilm[at]nukufilm.ee
EST 2013 | Ani. | 15 min.
Director: Pärtel Tall
SANDGUY (Liivamees)
Å være en sandskapning er vanskelig når sjøen konstant vasker bort byggverkene langs stranden. Likevel er det en løsning for alt. Leireanimasjon.
Being a Sandguy is hard when the sea constantly washes away the constructions made along the beach. Still there is a solution for everything. Clay animation.
Production: Andrus Raudsalu - Nukufilm OÜ
Contact: Maret Reismann - Nukufilm OÜ, e: nukufilm[at]nukufilm.ee
EST 2015 | Ani. | 10 min.
Director: Ülo Pikkov
TICK-TACK (Tik-tak)
Urmakeren kontrollerer tiden, men musen som bor i urmakerens verksted kontrollerer klokkene. Klassisk dukkeanimasjon.
The watchmaker controls the time, but the mouse living in the watchmaker's workshop controls the clocks. Classical puppet animation.
Script: Ülo Pikkov | Camera: Raivo Möllits | Animation: Märt Kivi | Sound: Horret Kuus - B6 Studio | Music: Maarja Nuut | Cast: Kalju Kivi
Production: Andrus Raudsalu - Nukufilm OÜ
Contact: Maret Reismann - Nukufilm OÜ, e: nukufilm[at]nukufilm.ee
EST 2003 | Ani. | 10 min.
Director: Rao Heidmets
INSTINCT (Instinkt)
Hva skjer når skaperen mister kontrollen over skaperverket og det begynner å følge sin egen vilje? En transformasjon av kulturelle mytologier i form av klassisk dukkeanimasjon.
What happens when the Maker loses control over his creation and it starts to follow its own will? A transformation of cultural mythologies, applying classical puppet animation.
Script: Rao Heidmets | Camera: Urmas Jõemees | Animation: Triin Sarapik, Märt Kivi, Andres Tenusaar, Pärtel Tall, Leo Lätti | Editing: Urmas Jõemees, Rao Heidmets
Production: Arvo Nuut - Nukufilm OÜ
Contact: Maret Reismann - Nukufilm OÜ, e: nukufilm[at]nukufilm.ee
NOR, EST 2016 | Ani. | 19 min.
Director: Elin Grimstad
ETERNAL HUNTING GROUNDS (Evige jaktmarker)
To barn samler døde dyr og sender dem avgårde til et nytt liv i de evige jaktmarker. Om hvordan døden og dødsriket ikke er noe farlig, men en del av livet. Cut-out animasjon på multiplans glassbord.
Two children play on an island, in an open coastal landscape. They have a game they love to play: to look for dead animals and
bring them to a self-made graveyard. But one day the game changes. The film touches upon themes of childhood, nature mysticism and religion. Cut-out animation on multiplane glastable.
Script: Elin Grimstad | Camera: Urmas Jõemees | Animation: Andres Tenusaar, Olga Bulgakova, Sergei Kibus | Editing: Robert Stengård, Skafti Gudmundsson | Music: Sam Mcloughlin | Sound Design: Yngve Sætre
En dødelig såret ung soldat befinner seg i et krater, og en haug med sultne rotter prøver å finne svar på spørsmålet 'Hvem er Lily Marleen?'. En kontemplasjon over eksistensiell angst, gjennomført med blandede animasjonsteknikker.
A mortally wounded young soldier finds himself in a crater, and a bunch of hungry rats try to find an answer to the question ‘Who is Lily Marleen?’. A contemplation of existential angst, applying mixed animation techniques.
Script: Riho Unt | Camera: Ragnar Neljandi | Animation: Märt Kivi, Triin Sarapik-Kivi, Marili Toome, Andres Tenusaar | Editing: Ragnar Nrljandi, Riho Unt
Production: Arvo Nuut - Nukufilm OÜ
Contact: Maret Reismann - Nukufilm OÜ, e: nukufilm[at]nukufilm.ee
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