Jaan Kaplinski

The Christmas of 1905 in Vigala is not a peaceful holiday. The manor house has just been pillaged during the peasant's revolt; the air is full of smoke of fire and there is the premonition of inevitable punishment. Bernhard Laipmann is a tenant farmer whose wife is asking him to leave home since her husband keeps drawing the attention of the authorities. Having doubts about leaving, Laipmann is inspired by endeavouring towards freedom and equality and alarmed by the violence of the revolution.

On the shores of the Gulf of Finland, the ancient Finno-Ugric peoples originated a singing tradition of mysterious power called the Regilaul. These songs are the roots of Estonia’s renowned singing culture. Based on the continuous repetition of eight-syllable verses, they produce a haunting sound able to connect the fleeting present with the eternal circle of life. Against the stunning setting of modern Estonia, this film explores how Regi songs still fire the imagination today, weaving together people and nature through song.

The children living in a large apartment building look for something to do and start throwing knives. The kids' joy is spoiled by a big boy who breaks their knife while grinning. Miraculously, a small tree grows near the building.

A small piece of clay comes to life and eventually becomes a beautiful mug that brings joy to a child.

The children become so exited of the play with typing-machine and paper that they don’t notice how evening comes. In the apple-tree behind the Grandpa’s barn there is a bird-nest. We understand how everything circulates harmoniously in Nature, how evening-peace and dream arrive.

One of the most popular and talented writers in contemporary Estonia - Viivi Luik - has always hurt her heart for the fate of her country and people. As a poetess, she maintains miracles, simple and human, through her poetry. In the film Viivi Luik and Jaan Kaplinski make sense of the moments of time.

The sloppy boy is careless with his belongings: hat, mittens and shoes. They leave him and find new friends.

Two friends, one a French photograph rand filmmaker, the other a famous Estonian thinker and poet. Two people from two generations, but a great friendship. For several weeks, Raphael Gianelli-Meriano filmed Jaan Kaplinski's every day life at his house in the countryside, in his domestic context.