Kevade

Successively occupied by Russians and Germans, Estonia had a brief period of independence between 1920 and 1940, reestablished after the fall of the Soviet Union, in 1991.

Entirely filmed in Estonia and spoken in Estonian, this film, apparently a simple reminiscence of youth, in the times of the German presence (the permanent tension between the Estonian and German student communities is symptomatic), evokes Estonian culture and history, which persist despite the successive occupations, of which, the Soviet one, was still ongoing in 1969.

Beneath the innocence of the vicissitudes of youth, hides an affirmation of Estonia's autonomy, as a nation, culture, language and one day, eventually (it would be in 1991, but that was unpredictable in 1969), as an independent state.

Kevade is a marvelous adaptation of O. Luts' semi- autobiographical novel about friendships and life in a small country boarding school in the turn of the century Estonia.

Both the novel and the movie capture the essence of the Estonian soul and receive my highest recommendation.

'Spring' is a decent watch, if nothing all that more.

I personally didn't really click with this 1970 Estonian picture. I imagine that has a lot to do with the fact that I am, indeed, not Estonian and/or not from this sorta era, as it is a movie that is heavily nostalgia-driven. I will say that it is well made for its time, at least. The main reason for my lack of connection, aside from the aforementioned, is actually the main characters, both those portraying and being portrayed.

I found the kids quite annoying, all of them in fact; especially the more, eh, 'emotional' ones. The flick does go for the 'kids will be kids' angle, but even so I don't think they needed be quite so irritating. The actors aren't the best either, though I can look past that without the noted issue. The adult actors are the better cast members.

As somewhat of a completionist, I now feel the need to check out the three sequels; which, interestingly, were released in 1976, 1990 and 2020; ought to make for an interesting time capsule of sorts through Estonia's recent movie decades.

A good film, even though you have to know at least some historic background into Estonia. It has aged fairly well and you can identify yourself with the characters even though they lived more than hundred years ago. Good music also.

Very children of the corn without any corn or malice! Very nice film, it was sweet and thougtful and kind. I wish the work of the original author was readily at hand and all of his film adaptations readily available but that is not the case, yet we have this one and it is very nice. I highly recommend it; it was funny and sad and weird and fun and strangely haunting, I really think that kid's eyes tripped me out! lol, very cool movie...