4 minute read
Meet the Estonian Berlinale Talents
This year, two Estonian filmmakers, Anna Hints and Tushar Prakash, are joining the Berlinale Talents programme; the talent development initiative of the Berlin International Film Festival taking place from February 17 to 22, 2024. The theme for this year is language, encompassing common language and film language. Eda Koppel asked Anna and Tushar a few questions.
By Eda Koppel Photo by Andres Treial
What are your expectations for Berlinale Talents?
Tushar: Going to Berlinale Talents has been a personal dream of mine for a few years now. Following this year’s summit theme, “Common Tongues,” I also hope to find the words to articulate the ideas inside me. At the summit, I expect to be inspired by the creative energies of the selected 200 artists, and spend almost a week with them. This will be a unique, inspiring experience, and I hope to expand my horizons, both internally and externally.
Anna: I hope to find a safe and inspiring space to explore the ideas growing in me, expand my global film family, and draw inspiration from other minds and hearts for possible future collaborations. After the extraordinary success of my feature debut Smoke Sauna Sisterhood, places like Berlinale Talents are crucial for landing and gathering inspiration for new ideas.
What projects are you working on right now?
Anna: The Smoke Sauna Sisterhood world tour is not yet over, even though I have toured the world non-stop with very high intensity throughout 2023. I am working on taking more time to rest, answer all my unanswered emails, start developing new ideas, and finish projects I started before the release of Smoke Sauna Sisterhood.
Tushar: Together with Anna Hints, we are completing our short documentary, An Estonian Man, our debut production under our production company KAE NOH. In this film, I go to Anna’s relatives in the farms of South Estonia to learn how to become an Estonian man. The documentary delves into the realms of masculinity, traditions, and cultural boundaries.
What are your future plans? Any projects in development?
Tushar: Currently, I am pursuing a master’s degree in Folkloristics and Applied Heritage Studies at the University of Tartu. As part of my final project, I am developing a feature-length film script that explores a unique connection between India and Estonia. Simultaneously, I am creatively collaborating with Anna on her upcoming projects.
Anna: Not a day passes without someone asking me: “So, Anna, what will you do next?” People ask because they really want to see my next feature film, possibly collaborate or support. But it is also pressure. If I took that pressure in, I would feel very enslaved by this question. For me, the task is to keep the creative freedom and courage flowing, take risks, and listen to my voice. As an artist, I feel one must always be ready to “fail.” I intend to take a year where I explore ideas that I feel growing inside me, go to spaces like Berlinale Talents that inspire me, and choose what to work on as my next feature film.
What is the most burning question for you right now in terms of filmmaking?
Anna: How to burn creatively, yet not burn out? This is a truly burning question inside me, and I believe it needs an answer from all of us in the film industry.
Tushar Prakash
is an Indian-born filmmaker who resides and works in Estonia. He is a graduate of the National Polish Film School in Łódz. His graduation film, Jestem OK, screened at various festivals worldwide, including the New Horizons Film Festival in Wroclaw. Tushar co-directed Karma Killings, marking it as the first Indian documentary acquired by Netflix. In 2015, he participated in La Fabrique Des Cinémas Du Monde at the Cannes Film Festival, where he was mentored by Claire Denis. Tushar Prakash also served as one of the editors of Anna Hints’ multi-awarded feature-length debut documentary Smoke Sauna Sisterhood.
Anna Hints,
an Estonian film director with a background in contemporary art and experimental folk music, gained acclaim with her debut documentary Smoke Sauna Sisterhood. The film, winning the Directing Award at Sundance Film Festival and the Audentia Award from Eurimages, was Estonia’s entry at the 96th Academy Awards. The film has won 20 awards, including Best Documentary at the European Film Awards, and has been distributed to 32 territories. Anna, also a member of the electronic-folk trio EETER, contributed to the score for Wind Sculpted Land, and collaborated with Icelandic composer Eðvarð Egilsson on Smoke Sauna Sisterhood, which continues to tour festivals globally.
