''August 1991'' is a 2005 television dramatization of a failed Soviet attempt to suppress the Singing Revolution independence movement in

Estonia Estonia, formally the Republic of Estonia, is a country by the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, an ...

. At the same time as the events unfold in Estonia, a

1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt The 1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt, also known as the August Coup,, "August Putsch". was a failed attempt by hardliners of the Soviet Union's Communist Party to forcibly seize control of the country from Mikhail Gorbachev, who was Soviet ...

is taking place in

Moscow Moscow ( , US chiefly ; rus, links=no, Москва, r=Moskva, p=mɐskˈva, a=Москва.ogg) is the capital and largest city of Russia. The city stands on the Moskva River in Central Russia, with a population estimated at 13.0 million ...

. Tanks roll through the streets of Estonia, attempting to crush the fledgling

democracy Democracy (From grc, δημοκρατία, dēmokratía, ''dēmos'' 'people' and ''kratos'' 'rule') is a form of government in which the people have the authority to deliberate and decide legislation (" direct democracy"), or to choose g ...

and assert Soviet authority. Written and directed by

Ilmar Raag Ilmar Raag (born 21 May 1968 in Kuressaare) is an Estonian media executive, actor, screenwriter and film director, best known for his socio-critical film '' The Class''. He has served as CEO of Estonian Television from 2002 to 2005. He is a we ...

for Estonian Television, the film focuses on the role of a newly defiant and independent Estonian media. In spite of a low budget and sometimes wooden acting, the film is seen as an effective, moving portrayal of Estonian independence.

Cast

Tanel Ingi Tanel Ingi (born 26 November 1976) is an Estonian stage and film actor who performs primarily at the Ugala theatre. Early life Tanel Ingi was born in Tallinn. In 1995, he began attending the Kopli-Tallinn Art School. He attended the Viljandi ...

as Tõnu *

Hilje Murel Hilje Murel (born 17 December 1975) is an Estonian stage, film, and television actress. Early life and education Hilje Murel was born in the town of Võru in Võru County. She is a 1998 graduate of the EMA Higher Drama School (now, the Estonian ...

as Anu *Andres Mähar as Paul * Hele Kõre as Anneli *

Tõnu Oja Tõnu Oja (born 4 July 1958 in Tallinn) is an Estonian actor. In 1980 he graduated from Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. Since 2003 he has worked at the Estonian Drama Theatre. He has also played in films. His elder brother is actor and dir ...

as Aare *

Peeter Tammearu Peeter Tammearu (born 31 July 1964 in Pärnu) is an Estonian actor. In 1986 he graduated from the performing arts department of the Tallinn State Conservatory. 2003–2009 he was the director of Ugala Theater. Since 2014 he is an actor and dire ...

as Mart Siimann * Andres Noormets as Hagi Shein * Hendrik Toompere Jr. as Andres Raid *Gert Raudsep as Tiit Kimmel * Tiina Mälberg as Virve Liivanõmm * Rain Simmul as Heimar Lenk *Tiit Palu as Enn Eesmaa * Hans Kaldoja as Aivo Barbo *Aksel Lemberg as Endel Sõerde *

Indrek Taalmaa Indrek Taalmaa (born 9 July 1967) is an Estonian stage, television, voice, film actor, and theatre director whose career began in the early 1990s. Early life and education Indrek Taalmaa was born and raised in the town of Viljandi. He graduated ...

as Carl Danhammer

References

External links

* 2005 drama films 2005 television films 2005 films Estonian-language films Films based on actual events Estonian drama films {{Estonia-film-stub