Watch E-stonia: A Start-Up Country - VPRO Backlight

E-stonia: A Start-Up Country - VPRO Backlight is a documentary film that explores the innovative technological ecosystem of Estonia, a small European country that has become known as one of the most digitally advanced nations in the world. The film delves into the various ways in which Estonia has transformed its society through the use of technology, and how this has contributed to the country's economic, social and political development.

The documentary begins by introducing the viewer to the unique history of Estonia, a country that has only recently emerged from the shadow cast by the Soviet Union. Following its independence in 1991, Estonia embarked on a path towards liberalization, embracing capitalism and opening its markets to foreign investment. This allowed for the rapid development of a tech industry, with many entrepreneurs and innovators quickly emerging to take advantage of the new opportunities.

One of the key factors in Estonia's success has been its focus on digitalization. The film explains how Estonia's government has been able to create a highly efficient and secure digital infrastructure that allows citizens to access many services online. This infrastructure allows for the rapid deployment of new digital services and has enabled entrepreneurs to build new businesses that take advantage of these services. In the film, we see how the Estonian government has made great efforts to ensure data security and privacy, which has encouraged people to trust online services and to use them more widely.

A large part of the film is dedicated to showcasing various Estonian start-ups, which range from apps and platforms that address commonly faced issues like parking, healthcare and taxes, to more complex, specialized technology such as blockchain solutions. The documentary presents interviews with key players in the Estonian tech scene, including entrepreneurs and investors, and explores the motivations and ambitions that drive their efforts towards innovation. As the film progresses, we get to know the stories behind various Estonian start-ups, such as Transferwise, a fintech company that has revolutionized the way people transfer money across borders and has garnered worldwide attention.

The second half of the documentary takes a deeper look at Estonia's political system, examining how technology has disrupted traditional models of governance. The film argues that Estonia's government has done an exceptional job in embracing digitization, and that this has been one of the key factors contributing to the country's stability and prosperity. The Estonian political system is described as refreshingly transparent, with high levels of public engagement and involvement. For instance, the film showcases Estonia's e-voting system, a digital platform that allows citizens to vote online from anywhere in the world. The system uses blockchain technology to ensure the security of the votes, making it almost impossible for the results to be manipulated.

Overall, E-stonia: A Start-Up Country - VPRO Backlight is a fascinating exploration of a country that has become a global leader in digital innovation. By combining interviews with key players in the Estonian tech scene with real-life examples of innovative businesses and digital services, the film provides an engaging and insightful account of how a small nation can create a thriving digital ecosystem. Despite being only 45 minutes long, the documentary manages to pack in a huge amount of information, providing a comprehensive introduction to Estonia's technological achievements and the lessons other countries can learn from them.

The film is beautifully shot and edited, and the music and sound design create a compelling atmosphere throughout. The interviews are insightful and well-chosen, and the filmmakers have done an excellent job in finding a balance between technical explanations and human interest stories. Overall, the documentary is a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, innovation and politics, and it provides a valuable glimpse into a future where digitalization is integral to everyday life.