“Free Again” By Egert Milder
Synopsis
A young man struggles to cling to his childish optimism while renovating an old building by himself.
Directors statement
The concept of this story started from the location. There are so many beautiful architecture pearls around my country. Places that are left to fall apart because they are far from cities. This breaks my heart as they have so much visual potential. During the summer we were trying to map them out and scout as many as we could. This one stayed with me because walking into this big hall took my breath away. The house itself used to be a part of a Soviet sovkhoz. A man bought it in the beginning of 90s and has been trying to keep it from totally falling down ever since.
When I listened to the song than for some reason the story of this place jumped into my mind. The bittersweet tone of the song matches with it. I found that the visual of a workshop and warehouse in this grand hall is an interesting contrast. Also the loneliness and struggle in the act of trying to keep up a house that is constantly collapsing on you acts as a simple but effective metaphor about life in general.
The music talks about a dream towards a simpler time — childhood. We wanted to show his everyday mundane activities as something interesting. As if the main character is trying to find beauty in the simple things he does, like a child would. At the same time we wanted to create conflict in the same activities.
The production of this was absolutely crazy. We didn’t have a lot of resources so we needed to shoot everything in one 12h day. Keeping that in mind, we designed our setups to be as simple and clever as possible, trying to get a maximum result out of the minimum. At the same time trying to keep our eyes open for possibilities that the situations offered us and using the actual reality of the location in our advantage. We were literally running between the sets. It was only possible because the crew was just amazing. I am constantly in awe about how much is possible when the people around you are motivated and talented.
Credits
Music & lyrics by Kaspar Kalluste, Matteo Capreoli, Egert Milder
Mix & master by Vallo Kikas
Starring: Markus Habakukk
Director: Helen Takkin
Producer: Aili Maarja
Director of Photography: Alvar Kõue
Choreographer: Arolin Raudva
Production Designer: Viktoria Martjanova
Costume Designer: Liis Plato
1st AC: Martin Venela
2ns AC: Reino Kuber
Gaffer: Bertil Tarbe
Electrician: Kevin Mardiste
Location Manager: Artur Makku
Production Coordinator: Maiken Palm
Art Department Assistants: Mihhail Makoshin & Kevin Kohjus
SFX: Kristjan Pütsep
Catering: Kaie Rätsep & Tanel Reintam
MOF Video: Kevin Kohjus
MOF Photos: Egert Milder
Editor: Helen Takkin
Colorist: Helen Takkin & Meelis Veeremets
VFX: Andres Kluge
Special Thanks to:
Riho Kivila
Pigeons Robi and Tobi
Art Hotel Rakvere
Kadi Freja Felt
Helise Ollin
Oskar Lehemaa
Triin Valvas
Roman Neso Laupmaa
Kamilla Kase
Liis Orav
Marii Reimann
Piret Järvis-Milder
Milli Milder
Shot on ARRI Alexa mini
Camera and lighting equipment provided by High Voltage
Produced by Get Shot Films
“Free Again” was submitted to us by Helen Takkin. Have a film of your own you’d like us to check out? Click here!