The environmental special program of PÖFF opens with the film “Greener Tallinn”
Tallinn, the European Green Capital 2023, presents a special environmental film program at this year’s PÖFF (Black Nights Film Festival), introduced by the world premiere of the documentary film “Greener Tallinn” with original music, and the Chilean documentary film “I am the Earth.”
The official opening of the special program on November 5th at 7:00 PM at Coca Cola Plaza will feature the first public screening of the nature film “Greener Tallinn” by Joosep Matjus and Katri Rannastu, featuring original music “Seasons” by Tauno Aints. The Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Tõnu Kaljuste, will perform the music live. The film follows Tallinn’s urban nature and biodiversity throughout five seasons, from spring to spring, and was shot in 2022 and 2023.
“PÖFF’s environmental film program provides a visual and emotional dimension to environmental issues and allows the viewer to see and feel the impact of environmental problems. The language of film often communicates and engages many people more effectively than pages of text, as it can simplify complex topics and make them understandable,” said Krista Kampus, the head of Tallinn’s European Green Capital year.
“As environmental awareness is one of the focus themes of the Green Capital, I believe this program will help people better understand how human-induced climate change affects both people and the environment worldwide. It’s not just something happening far away that doesn’t concern us; it’s something we must address,” she added.
In addition to Tallinn’s nature film, the environmental program includes six other films that have garnered significant attention at international festivals this year. Following the screening of “Greener Tallinn,” the opening session will present “I am the Earth” (Chile). Other films in the program include “Songs of Earth” (Norway), the first documentary selected to represent its country at the Oscars in the foreign-language category, “Plastic Fantastic” (Germany), “Mighty Afrin: In the Times of Flood” (Greece, France), “Earth Protectors” (USA, Italy), and “Between the Rains” (Kenya).
“During the compilation of the environmental film program, we watched nearly 100 films on environmental topics. Our selection focused on films and topics that are currently the most urgent worldwide, emphasizing humanity’s responsibility towards the environment. How should humanity move forward when increasing energy demand may push environmental issues into the background,” explained Mikk Granström, the coordinator of the environmental film program.
The environmental film program runs at PÖFF from November 3rd to November 19th. Tickets are available on Piletilevi.
For more information about the PÖFF environmental films and the program, click here.
Illustrations: stills from the film “Greener Tallinn”
