Hello! I am Ekebert Esken. I am a 19-year-old musician and filmmaker.
I came across Kassikuld's film sets several years ago, and the world of filmmaking instantly captivated me. I have been an assistant on the set of the movie "Winter" ("Talve"), a sound operator on the set of the movie "Vacationers" ("Suvitajad") and edited trailers and promo clips for the movies "BOG" ("SOO"), "Vacationers", "Fools Of Fame" ("Kuulsuse Narrid") and also for the "Melchior The Apothechary" trilogy.
As I have been studying cinematography, lighting, sound recording, sound and image post-processing, storytelling, writing scripts and also director's work very intensively for multiple years and have gathered a lot of film equipment, I want to create my first full-length adventure drama feature film "HIKE" this summer and autumn.
WHAT IS THE FILM ABOUT?
"HIKE" - An ambitious young woman wants to hike through one of Estonia's longest hiking trails, inviting her long-time friend to join the adventure, when she discovers that apart from the mysterious forests and swamps, her own friend turns out to be her biggest obstacle.
This story tells about several dilemmas close to the heart of Estonians - are big challenges and achievements more important in life or friends and relationships with people instead?
Should parents let their children go off on their own, risking them getting into dangerous situations, or should parents control their children more, robbing them of the freedom to have new experiences and live independent lives?
It is a thoughtful adventure drama feature film, which also has moderate elements of thriller and horror.
The film takes us to the beautiful forests and bogs of Estonia. There is also a lovely rural village, water bodies and sunsets!
FILMMAKERS AND ACTORS
Actors: Roberta Vaino, Alondra Kuusik, Candy Kikkas, Olev Sten Erik Jõgi and others.
Ekebert Esken: Author of the story, screenwriter, director, cinematographer, lighting, sound director and editor.
Siim Tsadurjan: Composer, sound recorder and boom operator.
THE BUDGET
The support of the backers is spent on the production of the entire film, from food to actors' fees to fuel costs!
For 5000€, we can finish the film, but we have to make compromises both in the sound of the film (e.g. we cannot create surround sound for the cinema) and also in the creation/recording of original music. However, sound and music are a very important aspect of the film!
For 8000€, however, we can make the film to its full potential, recording film music with real instruments and musicians in the MUBA studio and creating a "5.1 surround" sound for the film, i.e. the most realistic surround sound, in order to completely immerse viewer into the world of the film!
WHAT'S NEXT AFTER MAKING THE FILM?
After the completion of the film (in early 2024), several exclusive premieres are planned in a large cinema theater.
The goal is to get the film to run in cinemas all over Estonia. But even if it doesn't work out, there is a firm plan to distribute the film on various streaming platforms.
Also possible is participating in upcoming film festivals in Estonia as well as abroad.
WHAT ARE EKEBERT'S FUTURE PLANS WITH THIS FILM?
"I want to show and prove that nowadays it is possible to make a film worthy of the cinema screen with very few people, affordable equipment and a very small budget.
After the completion of this film I also want to create my own filmmaking course, which would teach at a professional level all the necessary skills that are needed to make a film, using the experience and knowledge gained from the creation of the film "HIKE" in order to teach those interested in filmmaking through the making of this film in a very practical way!"
TO END
Please back this project and let's enrich Estonian culture together by bringing this film to the big cinema theater and home screens in Estonia by the beginning of next year!
