The Estonian film ‘Magnus’ is playing at the Melbourne International Film Festival this week.

Session times
Thu 31 Jul 08 7:15 PM
154 Flinders St (Cnr Russell St), Melbourne, Vic, 3000

Sat 9 Aug 08 11:00 AM
Federation Square, Flinders St, Melbourne, Vic, 3000

Tickets
Tickets are available from the Melbourne International Film Festival site.

About Magnus

“My primary wish regarding this film is that, after watching it, people would start paying attention to the things that really matter… like football and shopping.” – filmmaker Kadri Kõusaar

The debut feature from 26-year-old writer–director Kadri Kõusaar poses a provocative question: What would you do if your son tells you he would like to die? Due to a terminal illness Magnus (Estonian pop singer Kasearu) is not expected to survive his adolescence, but when he’s unexpectedly cured he can’t find a reason to live. Following a suicide attempt he moves in with his father, who tries in his own unconventional way to provide Magnus with a purpose, and to integrate him into his unorthodox lifestyle.
Magnus provoked controversy upon its release in Estonia, and has been banned in many countries around the world.

More information: http://www.magnusfilm.com

Courtesy of the Melbourne International Film Festival site.

The Class (Klass) 

Estonian film, The Class (KLASS) wil be screened at the 2008 Sydney Film Festival.  The program guide is on the website
http://www.sydneyfilmfestival.org/

Award winner at Karlovy Vary and Warsaw Film Festivals, this confronting feature was inspired by the Columbine High School massacre, but director Raag takes a different approach from Gus Van Sant’s Elephant. The violence in this case is trigged by a brutal bout of bullying, something that started out as a lark but turned nasty. Sixteen-year-old Joosep has been picked on all his life, but when newcomer Kaspar intervenes, he finally thinks he can stop it.

After the two join forces the rest of the class turns against them. Raag workshopped the script with schoolkids and the young cast (all amateurs) and the result has a ring of authenticity which makes it all the more powerful.

Dir Ilmar Raag, Scr Ilmar Raag, Prod Riina Sildos with Vallo Kirs, Pärt Uusberg, Lauri Pedaja

Country Estonia, Language Estonian, Duration 99 mins

Distributor Estonian Film Foundation

Session Times

13th June 4.30PM
14th June 2.15PM
Greater Union Cinemas, 525 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000
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