Seltsimees laps

'The Little Comrade' is one of the best made recent Estonian films. Cinematography, editing, direction, soundtrack and of course, the acting, are all top notch. The screenplay itself is simplistic, but never sappy or too bathetic. There are certain amount of naivety, but that is because the story is told through the eyes of a child. Still, underneath the colorful cinematography and simplicity, the looming terror and crouching tragedy can be felt present.

Pleasent, but never simple film about not so pleasent times in history. There are enough (great) films about deportation that are depressive and hard to watch, so it was actually quite refreshing to see lighter (but not simple or silly) view on these dark times.

This movie depicts Stalin's Terror, from the point of view of a seven year old Estonian girl, Leelo. This period of time is a decade after Estonia was absorbed by the Soviet Union under the Hitler-Stalin Pact, and now that the war is over, Stalin can safely stomp out any sign of Estonian nationalism. Ethnic Russians lord it over ethnic Estonians with the threat of denunciations that lead to arbitrary deportation or arrest.

Since the external events marring the life of her family don't make sense, Leelo creates her own cause and effect. It doesn't help that the adults in her life don't and can't level with her, because then she might well say something indiscreet-- anti-Russian or anti-Communist. (She's not particularly good at following simple directions.)

Overall, it's a good kid's movie, and a good adult's movie, too.

For the region in particular a relevant auto-bio film, but by and large a penetrating, yet light-hearted when needed, story about the disruptive influence of dictatorship on the life of an intelligent young girl in Stalinist Estonia in the 1950s. Excellent performances, clear and emotionally intelligent cinematography.

Just a joy to watch and sympatize with!!

'The Little Comrade' is probably one of the best Estonian films in recent history. Cinematography, editing and direction are all top notch work. All the cast does superb work (even Helena-Maria Reisner as little Leelo). Tambet Tuisk and Juhan Ulfsak are beginning to reach the phenomenal actors category. The story itself is simple without being too bathetic and sentimental. The events are shown through the eyes of a child so there is some sweet naive odor over the film, but not the sticky sweet feel. Behind the colorful cinematography and childlike sincerety the looming terror and creeping tragedy can still be felt present.

Pleasent, but not overly simplistic telling about not so pleasent time in history. And when someone thinks that the film is too naive and sweet, then one must remember that the story is told through the eyes of a seven year old girl.

When there is no ongoing war, but a regime is dictatorial, then children are under no direct oppression as there are attempts to make them obedient and future followers. Mostly through ideology - as well presented in Seltsimees laps, were ideas, things, events etc. interesting to children are used. Partially with some success, even if adult people close to them show and talk different things. Leelo appears in the middle of "mess" and thanks to her upbringing, her own cleverness and observation skills she did not become a numb Soviet, but a poet well known and admired in Estonia.

It is thanks to her books behind the script, above all, that the benchmark for the film is strong already. Including distinct characters and good performances (starting from elena Maria Reisner as Leelo and Tambet Tuisk as Feliks), but also in smaller roles. The mood is well captured as well, with some uneasiness due to the era and environment, but also some humorous moments and dialogues, when a child appears in the company of adults, or tries to comprehend the differences between apparent and real.

This film has already won several big prizes and I am sure many are to come. Thanks to its method of depiction, it should be understandable also to those with no direct or indirect experience in oppressing regimes.