A Midnight Pilgrimage
When tragedy strikes, a carefree journalist must step up to anchor his family and rebuild his world.
Mikk wanders the city, restless, treating it as a pilgrimage to atone for his son's death. His marriage to Malle has broken down; he demands his son's ashes but cannot put his grief into words. He falls into a turbulent, self-destructive affair with young Mariin, while struggling to hold on to his two daughters. Susanna, 19, leaves for her lover in a foreign country, stirring his fear of losing her too. Sofi, 8, is often left alone and ends up supporting her parents. When Susanna gets into trouble abroad, Mikk has a moment of clarity and races to the border at night. Mikk realises his children give his life meaning and hope.
Director's note
For me, as a female director, the challenge and the aim are to tell this story from a woman's perspective: with empathy, yet from a distance, seeking to understand rather than judge. This approach lets the viewer see and understand a man's inner world without stereotypes or clichés. How does a man grieve? How does he try to maintain a relationship with his children? How does he find his way back to meaning and love when the world around him is falling apart?
The film also addresses a broader question: the role of men in today's world. What is a man's place, who needs him and why is he needed at all?
Visually, the film contrasts the aimless, claustrophobic urban wandering of Mikk's grief with the kinetic momentum of a late-night rescue drive. It balances the sharp edge of an auteur character study with the tension of a family rescue story. This project offers a narrative that doesn't sell cheap comfort but proves that taking responsibility for those you love is where real hope begins. An important theme that seems lost in today's world!
Biography
Katrin Ruus is a director and screenwriter, Katrin received a bachelor’s degree in dramatic theory from the University of Tartu in 2005 and an MA in scriptwriting from
Tallinn University’s BFM in 2013. She has been actively writing and (co-) directing both short films and feature films since 2010. Her full length features Cherry Tobacco and The Man Who Looks Like Me which she co-directed with Andres Maimik both had its premiere at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
Screenwriter's note
We live in a culture saturated with cynicism, where intellectual independence often masks deep emotional isolation. Mikk is a mirror for that modern trap: a man who built his life on career freedom and detachment, only to find himself defenceless when tragedy strikes. His story hits at a moment when audiences are starved for grounded narratives about male vulnerability and what it takes to rebuild after grief shatters your worldview. This is an urgent look at the myth of self-sufficiency.
The narrative cuts straight to the quiet crisis of fragmented domestic life. Mikk's inability to articulate his pain, which erupts into a physical scuffle with his ex-wife Malle, reflects how ill-equipped adults often are to handle raw grief. Meanwhile, eight-year-old Sofi is forced into the role of emotional anchor for her unstable parents, highlighting how children often carry the weight of parental collapse.
While Mikk's volatile affair with Mariin offers a tempting escape, the story finds its heart in his fear of losing his eldest daughter, Susanna. His frantic midnight drive to the border to rescue her turns personal panic into spiritual purpose. He realises that freedom isn't about running away from pain but showing up for the people who need him.
Biography
Peeter Urbla has graduated Tartu University, specialising in history and languages, and has passed special courses at the Moscow’s Cinema Committee, specialising in film directing and scriptwriting. Starting from 1992. he has worked for Exitfilm studio as director, producer and general manager.
Producer's note
We live in a culture saturated with cynicism, where intellectual independence often masks deep emotional isolation. Mikk is a mirror for that modern trap: a man who built his life on career freedom and detachment, only to find himself defenceless when tragedy strikes. His story hits at a moment when audiences are starved for grounded narratives about male vulnerability and what it takes to rebuild after grief shatters your worldview. This is an urgent look at the myth of self-sufficiency.
Biography
Sander Lebreht is an ambitious young film producer known for his willingness to embrace any challenge. He graduated with honors (cum laude) from Tallinn University’s BFM, where he specialized in film production. During his studies, Sander produced several short films, including the notable film My Dear Corpses, which earned Estonia its first Student Academy Award from the Academy. At Exitfilm, he actively develops new narratives and is instrumental in securing financing for projects.
Profile
Exitfilm is an Estonia-based production company founded in 1992. It works closely with local funding bodies, the film community and especially young talent. Its long-standing experience of working with European companies provides a strong foundation for international co-productions.