As Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event and its training programme Discovery Campus are about to kick off, it is time to get to know the young talents. Here are short Q&As from the Black Nights Stars of 2023!
What have been the most difficult challenges in their professional career so far, and what are their expectations for Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event? Find more to find out!
How would your best friend describe you? Since she is a sweetheart I think she would use the warmest and most loving words to describe me. And she might mention that I love to joke around.
What are you working on right now? I am working on something that is too soon to talk about, but I can say it is super exciting for me and has already taught me so much. Besides that project I am doing my scheduled performances at the theatre.
Who would your dream collab be, dead or alive? My dream collab would be with director Joe Wright or Wes Anderson. Dancing with Fred Astaire would also be amazing!
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an audiovisual professional so far? My biggest challenge has been to always find a new challenge, that would be exciting enough and also keep me growing as an actor and as a human being. It is sometimes too easy to fall into comfortable patterns. The challenge is to try to never stop expanding my comfort zone.
What are you looking forward to the most at Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event? New people, new ideas, new collaborations and of course having fun would be the cherry on top.
What is a film (or book) which keeps you up all night? At the moment it is a novel, Steinbeck’s East of Eden.
If you could have one superpower, then what would you choose? Time travel. It has always been a dream of mine to get a glimpse of what it was like in… for example the 1920s or 30s. And I have other favourite historic eras I would love to explore as a time traveller. Ancient Greek or Roman Empire would be so interesting to see first hand.
How would your best friend describe you? The best solution seemed to just ask, so here are some adjectives: creative, trustworthy, honest, loyal, diligent, good communicator, introvert, introspective, selective, empathetic, caring, intelligent and funny.
What are you working on right now? I jumped into a three-year theatre production a week before the premiere to take on the lead role. Simultaneously, I am preparing for an upcoming documentary project. I am in the final year of my Master’s translation studies and also translating subtitles for PÖFF.
Who would your dream collab be, dead or alive? I would love to step into an unfamiliar realm by working alongside someone who creates characters that challenge me. This would allow me to dig deep and explore myself more. Dead or alive, there are many amazing creators who would be my dream collab.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an audiovisual professional so far? I think when I worked day and night on three different projects – a TV Series and two short movies - that was quite difficult. Every character was very different, necessitating rapid switches between roles. It was undeniably challenging, yet immensely captivating, as these diverse characters enabled me to analyse and understand each persona better.
What are you looking forward to the most at Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event? Primarily I am looking forward to meeting inspiring people, who I am certain I will meet. But also the overall festival atmosphere, the movies showcased, and the general ambience.
What is a film (or book) which keeps you up all night? I appreciate films that capture simplicity as it truly is, films where I can see that creativity is endless. Selecting just one favourite is challenging for me as the films that captivate me during various life stages differ. Nonetheless, experiencing a film in a cinema, on a big screen, is really important for me, it is a different experience. When it comes to books, I just finished one by Samuel Beckett, Molloy, and right now I am reading Bill Bryson's The Body: A Guide for Occupants.
If you could have one superpower, then what would you choose? I have always fancied the idea of being invisible, but now I am inclined towards the ability to grasp and comprehend specific topics swiftly. Not an all-encompassing knowledge of course, as that would be inconceivable.
How would your best friend describe you? I asked my best friend, and this is her answer: Ritvars is an expert in mirroring, but when you really get to know him, he is the warmest, sweetest guy imaginable. He is super talented and hardworking, sometimes maybe being just a bit too hard on himself. He has a great sense of humor and the biggest misconception of him is that because of his previous career as a chef, he judges how other people cook, but in reality, it can make him most happy if anyone cooks for him, he just doesn’t show it.
What are you working on right now? Currently, I’m quite busy with major roles in upcoming theatre plays that are being prepared for The New Riga Theatre next year (The Idiot by F. Dostoevsky, Arcadia by T. Stoppard, The Glass Menagerie by T. Williams). As for cinema, I recently finished working on a few film roles, to which the premieres are yet to take place. Meanwhile, in my free time, when not invested in cooking projects or renovating my countryside house, I’m also working on a short film script.
Who would your dream collab be, dead or alive? Sandra Hüller. I think I fell a bit in love with her after watching this year’s Palme d’Or winner Anatomy of a Fall, in which her acting was incredibly nuanced and layered. In scenes with other cast members, she also gave the impression that she is also a great acting partner to bounce off from. Maybe I could play her son or a family member? I’ve been told that I have some German facial features. I’ll just need to work on my German accent a bit and voilà.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an audiovisual professional so far? Unlike in theatre, working in the cinema you need to be prepared since the footage will most probably not be shot chronologically. The first time I encountered this was when working on my first major role in the mini-series Crime Solving for Beginners. The fact that I have to play a scene that takes place in the first episode right after playing one of the final scenes in the series, meanwhile staying true to my character’s inner development each time was quite puzzling to me. Also, I learned the fact that it’s much more challenging to focus on acting at 35 degrees Celsius than it is in a freezing cold.
What are you looking forward to the most at Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event? I am very excited for everything that Black Night Stars has to bring and I’m sure it will be a fantastic experience. If I do have to specify, I have to say that I can’t wait to make new connections and meet all the people involved in the festival, industry professionals from all over the world, and other international actors.
What is a film or book which keeps you up all night? The melancholic Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I can never really truly explain why this film affects me so much. There is just something magical to this film, that I don’t want to try to put in words or rationalize. This film will always have a special place in my heart.
If you could have one superpower, then what would you choose? Lately I’ve been thinking about how cool it would be to have glasses through which you could see the past. Imagine being able to go to a place and ask the glasses to show what the location of your home looked like 300 years back, or having the ability to solve any unsolved criminal case, or being able to see the dinosaurs. This would be so much fun!
How would your best friend describe you? Sensitive, strong, funny, sunny, deep, emotional, trustworthy, present, playfull, passionate, artistic, perceptive.
What are you working on right now? I just finished shooting the Finnish TV-series Helsinki Syndrome second season. Now I am waiting for my next film Huijarit to come to cinemas in December and getting ready for its press tour, and also looking forward to Black Nights Stars in a week.
Who would your dream collab be, dead or alive? Eddie Redmayne, Adam Driver, Alma Pöysti, Zaida Bergroth, Chloe Zhao, Kate Bush, Charlotte Wells, Sinead O’Connor.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an audiovisual professional so far? How to reach the state of acting that feels most meaningful for me.
What are you looking forward to the most at Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event? Meeting new people, having interesting conversations about art and films, creating new relationships.
What is a film or book)which keeps you up all night? Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, The Theory of Everything by James Marsh, Eddie Redmayne's acting, Stand up show Nanette by Hannah Gadsby, any kind of acting that captures me and touches my soul.
If you could have one superpower, then what would you choose? Seeing the future.
How would your best friend describe you? Pretty funny, caring and a good listener.
What are you working on right now?? I just finished shooting a new A. Puipa movie, and now I'm working on a new project for a kids' TV news program at the Lithuanian National Television as a host. I also have theatre performances.
Who would your dream collaboration be, dead or alive? I would love to work/collaborate with directors Yorgos Lanthimos and Dimitris Papaioannou.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an audiovisual professional so far? As an actor, I feel like I've been a bit reckless. I've agreed to do a lot of dangerous things, such as carrying a real homemade bomb in the back of a car, jumping in front of a fast-moving car, shooting a commercial in a freshly cut ice hole on a frozen lake, and many other things that probably stunt doubles should do. However, I think that every experience has built me as an actor.
What are you looking forward to the most at Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event? I look forward to meeting new people, making contacts, and showcasing myself. My biggest dream would be to find a path into European cinema.
What is a film (or book) that keeps you up all night? A Clockwork Orange and the movie Dogman by Matteo Garrone.
If you could have one superpower, what would you choose? To fly, definitely!
How would your best friend describe you? That’s a tough one without asking them. I think they might say that I’m funny and kind and have great taste. Well, now I’m describing myself.
What are you working on right now? My new film Afire by Christian Petzold won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize in Berlin. Afire follows young writer Leon as he escapes with his friend Felix to an isolated house in the woods close to the Baltic Sea. Also, I just found out that we will have our Estonian Premiere in Tallinn. Can’t wait!
Who would your dream collab be, dead or alive? I would love to work with Daniel K. And a second Petzold film!
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an audiovisual professional so far? I had to learn that it makes sense to go out of your way to seek critique. It’s vital in order to improve.
What are you looking forward to the most at Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event? Getting to know everybody! On top of that, I would love to see a few films and Tallinn itself.
What is a film (or book) which keeps you up all night? Queen and Slim, Flight and The Incredibles.
If you could have one superpower, then what would you choose? It would have to be flying.
How would your best friend describe you? I don’t know.
What are you working on right now?? John Skoogs feature film VÄRN, and my exam film at HDK-Valand: That’s Amore.
Who would your dream collab be, dead or alive? Joel Viksten Abrahamsson.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an audiovisual professional so far? Persistence.
What are you looking forward to the most at Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event? Watching films, experiencing Tallinn, meeting new people.
What is a film (or book) which keeps you up all night? Every film does, for a short while. A few for more than one night.
If you could have one superpower, then what would you choose? Good luck.
How would your best friend describe you? The most fun person with child-like curiosity and swift mind. Kind, open, and listening.
What are you working on right now? Currently I'm in-between projects, working on my Spanish.
Who would your dream collab be, dead or alive? Wes Anderson, Ruben Ostlund, Thomas Vinterberg, Paweł Pawlikowski.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an audiovisual professional so far? Working on the movie Two Sisters with Łukasz Karwowski in Ukraine during the war, last August.
What are you looking forward to the most at Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event? Meeting inspiring people, watching movies.
What is a film (or book) which keeps you up all night? Currently Roald Dahl's short stories, Nina Andrycz’s Us, Split .
If you could have one superpower, then what would you choose? Teleportation.