Sensitive and restless Johannes is accepted to an elite school in Tallinn and expects life to go uphill. Instead, he becomes the victim of mental abuse by his classmates. In search of recognition, he goes to his old Lasnamäe friends, who spend their time doing drugs, hanging around, and partying, rather than focusing on schoolwork. At home, Johannes must deal with his mother’s deteriorating mental health. As the tension grows, he finds himself at zero point, where he must completely reset his life to build it up from scratch.
Acting
Märt Pius carries every scene like he's actually drowning.
Cinematography
Lasnamäe concrete jungle looks beautiful and brutal.
Director
Mihkel Ulk
Märt Pius
Johannes
Epp Eespäev
Mother
Uku Arop
Zaiid
Tambet Tuisk
Gunnar Post
Saara Pius
Bianka
Linda Porkanen
Liisa
Reimo Sagor
Bert
Henrik Kalmet
Esko
Brigitte Susanne Hunt
Paula
Liis Lindmaa
Riina
Aleksander Eeri Laupmaa
Karmo
Ingmar Jõela
Raimo
Christopher Rajaveer
Mihkel
Külliki Saldre
Teacher Irina
Kärt Tomingas
Teacher Pille
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on the novel by Margus Karu, the film captures a specific post-Soviet Estonian malaise — Lasnamäe was built as a Soviet showpiece but became a symbol of stagnation.
Director Mihkel Ulk deliberately cast non-professionals from the actual neighborhood; some of the 'party' scenes were essentially documentary footage.
EE
