Watch In the crosswind

In the Crosswind is a historical drama film from Estonia directed by Martti Helde. The movie tells the story of a young woman named Erna who, along with her husband Heldur and their daughter, is deported to Siberia by the Soviet occupiers during the German-Soviet War in the 1940s. The film is shot entirely in black and white and is framed as a collection of tableaux vivants or living images, inspired by the hundreds of letters Erna wrote to her husband and family during the five years she spent in exile. The camera rarely moves, and the action is frozen in time, creating a series of haunting images that capture the beauty and horror of the human experience.

The movie opens with a shot of the three family members boarding a train at gunpoint. They are taken to a work camp in Siberia along with other Estonians who have been deemed enemies of the Soviet state. They are forced to endure harsh living conditions, hard labor in the freezing cold, and the constant threat of violence from their captors.

The narrative of the film is structured around the letters Erna writes to her husband, which reveal her inner thoughts and feelings as she tries to cope with the trauma of her situation. She writes about her fear for her daughter, the hardships of her daily life, her longing for home, and her love for Heldur.

The letters become a lifeline for Erna and a way for her to maintain her humanity in the face of brutal conditions. She finds solace in her memories and in the beauty of nature, which she observes through a small window in her barrack. The film is a powerful exploration of the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

In the Crosswind is an exceptional film that brings to life a little-known period of Estonian history. The use of tableaux vivants is a unique and visually stunning way to tell this story, highlighting the emotional depth and complexity of the characters. The black and white cinematography creates a sense of timelessness and adds to the haunting quality of the images.

The performances of the main actors are exceptional, particularly Laura Peterson, who plays Erna with great subtlety and nuance. She conveys the character's strength and vulnerability with equal skill, and her voiceover of Erna's letters is deeply moving.

The film also benefits from a powerful score by composer Pärt Uusberg, which adds to the emotional impact of the images. The music is haunting and ethereal, perfectly capturing the sense of loss and longing that permeates the film.

Overall, In the Crosswind is a film that deserves to be seen by a wide audience. It tells a story that is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, exploring the depths of human suffering and the resilience of the human spirit. It is a beautifully crafted film that is sure to leave a lasting impression on its viewers.