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Naerata ometi

Smile at Last | Lach doch mal
Berlinale Classics 2025
© Estonian Film Institute
Mari lives in an orphanage. She is 16, her mother is dead, and her father is a drunk. So Mari was shunted off to the home, like the other children and young people there. Their manners are rough, their games are brutish, and Mari can’t deal with it. Her attempt to run away fails. Then Tauri, the son of an influential man, offers her his protection. But Mari is drawn to the coarse Robi, creating rivalry between her and another girl … The film by Estonian director Leida Laius (1923–1996), which won the UNICEF prize at the 1987 Berlinale, takes the audience inside a parallel world that has nothing to do with state notions of young people’s behaviour. It was shot on location with a mostly amateur cast, giving it a documentary feel. Co-director Arvo Iho said, “We used music by Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin to create the right pace and mood on set. It was as honest and passionate as the film we made.”
Arvo Iho also supervised the restoration of the film he shot using the most modern sync sound camera of the time.
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by Leida Laius (Director), Arvo Iho (Director), Marina Sheptunova (Screenplay)
with Monika Järv, Hendrik Toompere jr, Tauri Tallermaa, Katrin Tammleht, Kerttu Aaving, Edith-Helen Kuusk, Siiri Sisask, Janika Kalmus, Helle Kuningas Estonia / USSR 1985 Estonian 86' Colour International premiere of the digitally restored version

With

  • Monika Järv
  • Hendrik Toompere jr
  • Tauri Tallermaa
  • Katrin Tammleht
  • Kerttu Aaving
  • Edith-Helen Kuusk
  • Siiri Sisask
  • Janika Kalmus
  • Helle Kuningas

Crew

Directors Leida Laius, Arvo Iho
Screenplay Marina Sheptunova
Cinematography Arvo Iho
Editing Kersti Miilen
Music Lepo Sumera
Sound Design Enn Säde
Sound Olga Alp
Production Design Tõnu Virve
Costumes Reet Peramets
Make-Up Aita Levoll
Casting Leida Laius

World Sales

Estonian Film Institute

Additional information

DCP: Estonian Film Institute

Photos