
Aleksander Eelmaa
Acting
Biography
Aleksander Eelmaa (November 6, 1946 – July 21, 2021) was an Estonian actor. Eelmaa was born in Viljandi. From 1968 to 1969 he studied at the Estonian SSR Theatre Association's pantomime studio. From 1976 to 1981 he was an actor at Estonian Youth Theatre, from 1981 to 1990 at Vanalinnastuudio, from 1990 to 2006 at Estonian Drama Theatre, from 2007 to 2015 at Tallinn City Theatre, and from 2015 again at Estonian Drama Theatre. Besides theatrical roles he also played on several films (Agent Wild Duck, A Friend of Mine and Vana daami visiit) and television series (Tuulepealne maa and Õnne 13). Eelmaa's children are actor and director Taavi Eelmaa and theatre artist Liisi Eelmaa. Eelmaa died on 21 July 2021, at the age of 74 in Ohtla. He was appearing in the play Kadunud kodu at the Saueaugu Theatre Farm, which had premiered the night before his death.
Known For

Tuulepealne maa is a twelve-part Estonian television mini-series about the pre-World War II history of Estonia, its birth as a country, the Estonian War of Independence, post-war life throughout 1920 up to 1941 and World War II.
Windward Land

After ten years of war, plague and famine, the land is swept clean of people. The few remaining souls are scattered about, living in misery and lacking hope. An anxious silence hangs over the land. On one particularly starry night, two peasants find a stranger on the seashore.
The Riddle of Jaan Niemand

Mati, a 70-year-old bibliophile, cannot cope with his wife's death. As loneliness and indifference overrun his thoughts, he contemplates suicide until he meets a younger man who sparks his interest in life.
A Friend of Mine

A passenger steps off his train during a short stop in a small town called Vernanda in order to buy a loaf of bread. However, the train departs early and the passenger is left to deal with a bread-shaped bomb, strangely behaving townsfolk and an ominous laughter that follows him wherever he goes.
Vernanda

During an election campaign, a large sum of money goes missing at an Estonian politician's home party. The story involves some party guests who have serious money problems and are trying to come to terms with past mistakes. However, the self-confident politician strangely does not turn to the police, but begins to demand his justice by force.
Rat Trap

With his last breath Uu's friend entrusts him with the secret of how to go to the past. Uu is an engineer and doesn't believe in miracles, but the trick works. In the past there is a pleasant, eternal summer, long hair, girls and Jenkki chewing gum. In his real life, it is autumn, his friends are bitter, the girls are married and his father is seriously ill. At the end of the day, however, Uu has to decide in which time to live his life - in the summer of the past or in the autumn of the present.
Stairway to Heaven

Viktor Kingissepp has been the underground head of the Communist Party of Estonia for three years. He corresponds with Moscow, writes speeches for the members of the Communist Workers' Party and makes leaflets for the events of trade union. His purpose is to overthrow the Republic of Estonia since he does not believe in Estonian independence nor in any national ideals. Yet the clock keeps ticking, tuberculosis spreads rapidly, the world revolution is being postponed. What to do in order to make one's efforts work?
In One Hundred Years in May

Based on the tales of Chinese writer Pu Songling, the film depicts the romantic relationships of a Chinese student with an undead girl and a fox spirit maiden. Rainer Sarnet's diploma film.
Dragonflies and Coliaths

Tristan, a single father in his thirties, has spent the past few years in prison for causing a house fire which seriously injured his little daughter. On the day of his release and return home he aims to meet and ask for the forgiveness of his 8-year-old daughter Säde whom Tristan hasn't seen since the accident. After arriving in his hometown, Tristan is overcome by guilt as he realises he can't mange to face the consequences of his wrongdoing. His plan to turn a new page backfires, and before long, it seems that every step he takes only makes things worse
Säde

A family comedy about a 7-year-old boy, who's a devoted viking fan.
Ruudi
Hans Wild Duck Gens, an old school industrial spy becomes suicidally jealous when the firm brings in a German performance artist who becomes not only the top agent, but also replaces him in his girlfriend Monika's affections.
Agent Wild Duck

It is the year 1947. The war is over but Estonian forests are still hiding armoured men. When the message comes that Western spies will arrive to support the local bushwhackers, security officer Rein Taim starts to lead the counter operation of the Communist Secret Police in order to catch the Western diversionists and the leader of the Estonian bushwhackers.
Wild Violets

A historical costume drama where the fragments of the adventurous lives of Bernt Notke, one of the most influential Late Gothic painters, and carpenter Michel Sittow are brought together by the story of the panel painting "Danse Macabre" by Notke and the way the painting reached Tallinn, Estonia from Lübeck.
Surmatants

As a young woman, Claire left her hometown in disgrace. Now she is old and unimaginably rich, as for the first time she returns. The town is nearly bankrupt and in urgent need of money. Everybody hopes Clara will come to the rescue. And she will. However, there is a condition: somebody must kill the man who was her lover all those years ago.
Visit of an Old Lady

Two long-serving city officials are being forced into compulsory retirement from the environment agency. The enterprising men decide to take it upon themselves to fight predators on the fishing lakes. On a boat trip, they meet the fishermen. But the fishermen and the surrounding wildlife hold more mystery than the men can initially see. A trip to a fishing village will change the men's lives forever.
Old Men's Paradise

The mirror image of a pop star falls in love with the singer's wife and enters the world of people through the mirror. What to do if your own reflection becomes life-threatening to you?
Goodbye, My Love, Goodbye

When Miina, a seemingly well-off woman is caught shoplifting, the female officer truly uses her chance to show off her contempt. She sees a rival in the shoplifter and decides to teach Miina a lesson. Surprisingly, both women meet just a few hours later in a situation where the previous rivals become partners in crime and must trust their fates in the hands of each other.
Shift

An ancient leg bone is found during archeological excavations. It's soon identified as an ancient whistle for performing old buddhist rituals. To learn more about the mysterious instrument, a young scientist flees to the countryside. Before long she discovers that the enchanting sound of the whistle starts to take a strange hold of her.
Kangling

Amazing adventures of a Finn in Estonia. A Finn in search of wife.
Kinnunen

Three film segments.