Kertu is kept at close reign living at home with her parents. In the village, where she silently delivers the mail, word is out that she is a simpleton.

Villu, the local handyman, wins Kertu’s heart, even though everyone knows him to be a shameless womanizer and hopeless drunk. She had never expressed feelings for anyone until the day she sent him a postcard with a poem she had copied. He was touched.

One night, they break away from a village celebration for the long walk home. Villu, who had just suffered the first glimpse of his own mortality, is sweet and tender with Kertu. The police search in vain for the couple; but it is only in the morning that Kertu is discovered at the home Villu shares with his mother, Malle. She so wants to avoid going home with her mother and sister, that Kertu hides under Malle’s bed.

Kertu’s father flies into a rage when she refuses to press charges against the man now known as her abuser. The whole of the community shuns Villu, who disappears for a month of medical treatment in Tallinn.

Life settles back to its uneventful pace, until Villu returns to confront Kertu’s father, as she looks on - silent and obedient. Villu learns that the circumstances of her life are far more cruel than anyone could have imagined.

Kertu retreats into her shell, hoping the conflict between father and lover will just go away. But the young couple is soon challenged to take a stand for the dream they share of freedom and happiness together.

Direction: Ilmar Raag

Script: Ilmar Raag

Production: Riina Sildos, Riina Sildos

Cinematography: Kristjan-Jaak Nuudi

Editing: Tambet Tasuja

Production Design: Jaagup Roomet, Kristjan Suits

Costume Design: Anu Lensment

Sound: Horret Kuus

Original Score: Mari Pokinen

Cast: Ursula Ratasepp, Mait Malmsten

Original Title: KERTU

Original Language: Estonian

Film Production Country: Estonia

Website: http://www.ptd.lu/Kertu/index.htm

Biography of the Director/s
Ilmar Raag is the writer and director of the most successful film ever made in Estonia—The Class (Amrion 2007), which was sold to 91 countries, has been shortlisted for the national Oscar nomination, won 25 awards from 70 festivals, and developed into a successful multi-awarded TV-series.

Ilmar’s last features are Une Estonienne à Paris with the legendary French actress Jeanne Moreau in main role (Amrion/Estonia, TS Productions/France, La Parti Production/Belgium, premiered at Locarno Film Festival in August 2012), Kertu. Love is Blind (Amrion/Estonia, 2013, international premiere at Warsaw Film Festival in October 2013) and I Won’t Come Back (international premiere April 2014, Tribeca IFF. Awards: Tribeca IFF, April 2014, Usa – Nora Ephron Jury Special Mention prize; Zerkalo (the Mirrow), the International A.Tarkovsky Film Festival - Professional Achievement Award).

Ilmar has an MA in screenwriting from Ohio University. He has acted as Head of Acquisitions and Chairman of the Board for Estonian National Television, has been a national representative at EURIMAGES, member of the Audiovisual Council of Cultural Endowment of Estonia, and Member of the Board of Directors of Estonian Film Foundation. Ilmar is also an acclaimed columnist in the biggest dailies, lecturer, and requested media consultant.

Awards Won
55th Nordic Film Days Lübeck, Germany – Audience award

Arras Film Festival, France - Audience award

Würzburg International Filmfestival, Germany - Audience award
“The Golden Linden” Filmfestival, Bulgaria - Best actress (Ursula Ratasepp), Best feature film

World Sales:
Paul Thiltges Distribution
Paul Thiltges
Filmland – 27 Zone industriele
Kehlen, L-8287, Luxembourg
E-Mail: [email protected]
Phone: +352 25 03 93
Website: http://www.ptd.lu/