Estonian Film Mo Amor Makes World Premiere at Tallinn Black Nights Festival

A modern twist on traditional fairy tales is set to captivate audiences at the 30th edition of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) as Estonian film Mo Amor makes its world premiere.

The festival's Critics' Picks Competition will host the screening on Monday, November 16. The story follows Princess Niina, a character who defies convention by remaining restless despite being courted by three suitors: The Mentor, The Writer and The Stonemason.

Writer-director Eeva Mägi is behind Mo Amor, her latest project after creating Mo Mamma, Mo Papa, and The Weight of All the Beauty. A synopsis on the PÖFF website hints at a complex narrative where characters' memories and realities become intertwined.

The story begins with Princess Niina living in a castle but feeling unfulfilled despite her royal status. Kaur, a photographer, is credited as the storyteller behind Mo Amor.

Mägi's previous film, Mo Papa, earned a special mention at last year's festival after opening Tallinn's Critics' Picks section.

Mägi's latest film, Mo Amor, has been making waves in the industry, and its world premiere at Tallinn's Black Nights festival will be a highly anticipated event. The film's production team is comprised of a mix of seasoned professionals and newcomers, with Mägi co-producing alongside Sten-Johan Lill, who also handled cinematography duties.

In addition to Lill, Jette Keedus took on the role of editor for Mo Amor. The cast features a talented ensemble of actors, including Ester Kuntu and Jarmo Reha, both of whom have made significant contributions to Estonian cinema. Other notable cast members include Tambet Tuisk, Andres Mähar, Sander Roosimägi, and Ivor Mikker.

According to Mägi, her inspiration for Mo Amor stems from the idea that love can transcend even the most fundamental aspects of human identity. "I always have personal stories intertwined with stories that I want to tell for society or that society needs to be told," she explains, highlighting the complexities of exploring identity in a way that resonates with audiences.

Mägi's vision for Mo Amor is to create a universal love story that celebrates the beauty of human connection. I wanted to make a transgender person a hero and show a trans man’s fairy tale, she shares, emphasizing the importance of representation and inclusivity in storytelling. By doing so, Mägi hopes to challenge societal norms and prejudices surrounding identity.

The film's title, Mo Amor, is a nod to the idea that love can exist beyond the confines of societal expectations. "Of course, there is no such thing as transgender love and ordinary love," Mägi notes. "It is all just pure love."

The story's narrative arc was influenced by the filmmaking process itself. Fairy tales allow us to discuss complex issues in a beautiful and universal way, said Mägi, explaining why she chose this format for Mo Amor.

Mägi's approach to storytelling is organic and collaborative, which suits her small budget and open process. She often reteams with actors from previous projects, who are familiar with her flexible method of working without a pre-written script.

Mägi's reliance on returning collaborators is partly due to the way she likes to work, by letting go of control and embracing chaos. We're all surfing on the same wave, she said of her team, including Jarmo Reha, Ester Kuntu, and Tambet Tuisk, who have worked together in various combinations.

The filmmaker's use of familiar faces is also driven by a desire to create a sense of continuity between projects. With many actors returning from previous films like Mo Papa, Mägi can focus on exploring the story rather than rebuilding a cast.

Mägi's approach has allowed her to build a loyal team and foster a collaborative atmosphere that benefits each project. Her open process encourages creative exploration and discovery, which is reflected in the unique narrative of Mo Amor.

The writer-director's connection to Mikker began in an unexpected place - a bar where they first met. This chance encounter led to a friendship that would eventually result in Mikker being cast in the film Mo Amor.

Although Mikker is not a professional actor, he was chosen for his role due to his personal relationship with the writer-director. It's worth noting that Mikker is studying sculpture at the Estonian Arts Academy, which suggests that acting may be an unconventional pursuit for him.

The decision to cast a cisgender actor in a trans role was made after considering the available options and consulting with members of the trans community. The consensus was that it would be acceptable for Ester, as a woman, to play Niina, while Jarmo, as a man, played Kaur.

By choosing not to focus on the transition period, the filmmakers aimed to avoid relying on makeup and stereotypical representations often seen in other films. This deliberate decision allowed them to concentrate on other aspects of the story.

The filmmaker's boathouse on Vilsandi Island in Estonia's westernmost populated island served as a unique backdrop for Mo Amor, which was shot over 17 days without any budget constraints.

The island itself is a cinematic gem, according to the creative mind behind Mo Amor, who appreciates its picturesque setting and vast possibilities for storytelling.

A new project is currently in post-production, with Mo Hunt being mentioned as the next feature. The creative mind behind it shares that work on the film is ongoing at this time.

While Mo Papa and Mo Amor have distinct looks and atmospheres, Mo Hunt promises to be a different kind of experience altogether. Its visual language will set it apart from its predecessors.

Mo Hunt was initially conceived as a story about a ballerina who becomes an illegal surrogate. However, the director's interest in exploring the boundaries between artistic creation and manipulation soon took center stage.

As she delved deeper into this topic, the director began collecting stories from various artists about their experiences with exploitation and mental abuse in the pursuit of art.

The documentary-style film "Mo Amor" will blend fact and fiction to tell a modern fairy tale. The project's creator has decided to combine elements of staged storytelling with real-life experiences from various artists.

Mägi explains that the actors in the film will be presenting stories based on actual events, blurring the line between reality and fiction. This unique approach aims to capture the complexities of identity, transformation, and love in all its forms, making for a thought-provoking viewing experience.