A celebrated actor drowning in hot water and hotter delusions of grandeur.
Toomas Joller has been an actor for twenty years. Joller is popular and has been awarded the honorary title of People's Artist. But Joller's star is gradually fading. He becomes egoistic and self-centered, his performances remain superficial. An actor's internal combustion requires hot water, which Joller uses in abundance together with his friend, the comedy actor Ruts.
Acting
Voldemar Panso's slow-motion collapse as the fading star.
Writing
The brutal honesty of artists eating each other alive.
Director
Virve Aruoja
Voldemar Panso
Toomas Joller
Jüri Järvet
Ruts
Linda Rummo
Maia
Ester Pajusoo
Sirje
Franz Malmsten
Ärps
Kulno Süvalep
Mõtlik
Aksel Orav
Tagamaa
Rudolf Nuude
Johannes
Ruts Bauman
Old August
Evi Rauer
Joller's Sister
Kalju Karask
Chimney Sweeper
Tõnis Kask
Theater Director
Inna Taarna
Colleague in the Theater
Grigori Kromanov
Colleague in the Theater (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shot in 1960 Soviet Estonia, this was rare state-funded critique of institutionalized artistic privilege.
Jüri Järvet later played King Lear in Grigori Kozintsev's legendary 1971 adaptation—ironic given Ruts's own theatrical mediocrity here.
SU
