The story of Balthasar Russow, an Estonian pastor from the 16th century, his life and life's work - writing The Chronicle of Livonia.
Acting
Georg Ots brings opera-trained gravitas to quiet suffering.
Production
Soviet Estonia recreates medieval Livonia with surprising authenticity.
Director
Virve Aruoja
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Georg Ots was Estonia's most famous opera singer; this was his rare dramatic film role, shot between tours.
Russow's real Chronicle of Livonia remains the primary source for 16th-century Baltic history — the film treats his text as both achievement and trauma.
SU
