Film reveals how Estonians sang to achieve freedom

Kate Blain

“What role can singing play when a nation is faced with annihilation by its neighbours?” According to filmmakers James and Maureen Tusty, singing saved the country of Estonia from extinction. The above question begins their new documentary about the history of that Baltic nation, titled “The Singing Revolution.”

The film has opened to positive reviews at independent theatres in both New York City and Los Angeles. Reviewer Matt Zoller Seitz of the New York Times advised readers to “Imagine the scene in ‘Casablanca’ in which French patrons sang ‘La Marsellaise’ in defiance of the Germans, then multiply its power by a factor of thousands, and you’ve only begun to imagine the force of “The Singing Revolution.”

Inspiration

The Tustys have been making commercials, educational programs and corporate films since 1981 through their company, Mountain View Productions. “The Singing Revolution” is their first documentary.

The subject matter inspired them because of their own history: Mr. Tusty’s father, a Lutheran minister, immigrated to the U.S. from Estonia in 1924. Through that connection, the couple got the chance to teach summer filmmaking courses in Estonia in 1999 and 2001—during which they learned the tumultuous story of Estonia’s fight for independence.

Folk singing is an intrinsic part of Estonia’s history; Mrs. Tusty, a native of Wynantskill who was raised in St. Jude’s parish there, asserted that the tradition even pre-dates the country’s introduction to Christianity.

Song festivals have been such popular events that Estonians from the 19 th century onward would practice songs all winter, then gather by the tens of thousands to sing together at the festivals.

Silenced songs

One such festival, “Laulupidu,” was founded in 1869, drawing upwards of 30,000 singers at a time to the stage. Held every five years, the festival—and Estonia—flourished until 1939.

Then Adiolph Hitler and Joseph Stalin signed the Molotov/Rippentrop Pact, dividing Eastern Europe into “spheres of influence.” Soon, the Soviets marched into Estonia, executing thousands of Estonians and sending 10,000 more to slave labor camps in Siberia.

The Nazis took their turn in 1941, occupying Estonia for several years and imposing their own brand of suffering until they were ousted by Stalin once more.

Communist rule

Under the renewed Soviet rule, anything originally Estonian was destroyed—even the country’s flag was banned.

Soviet propaganda infiltrated even the song festivals, where traditional folk songs were replaced by songs honouring Stalin and Lenin. But, in 1969, a new song slipped by the censors: “ Land of my Fathers, Land that I Love,” by composer Gustav Ernesaks.

It was the 100 th anniversary of the major song festival, and 30,000 people sang it together as a protest of the Soviets, drowning out all attempts to stop them.

“Land of my Fathers” became Estonia’s unofficial national anthem—and the theme song of a revolution that would eventually lead to the country’s independence in 1991.

Getting word out

The rest of the story awaits movie-goers, who can sign up at the film’s website to ask that it be shown in their areas. Mrs. Tusty noted that theatre owners take such lists seriously in choosing which films to screen.

Having spent several years making the film, she said, the coming year will be focussed on distribution.

The Tustys filmed the modern footage for “The Singing Revolution” in 2004 during two trips to Estonia, one of them during the song festival. Having heard the personal stories of those whose families lived through the Soviet and Nazi occupations during previous visits, the couple had made it a goal to spread the story beyond the Baltic nation’s borders.

Repression

“During Soviet times, people weren’t allowed to express their religion. You couldn’t even have a Christmas tree,” said Mrs. Tusty.

Although Estonia’s true history was taught at home, she continued, children were also taught never to share what they had learned with others. At school, children might be convinced to repeat things their parents had said, resulting in their parent’s arrest for anti-Soviet remarks.

The Tusty’s own daughter, Skyler, was born during the years in which they were editing the film footage. Looking at the sleeping infant as she worked. Mrs. Tusty said she was appalled at the “evilness [of[ using children in that way.”

Courage

On the other hand, the couple were inspired by the courage of Estonians who continued to sing forbidden songs as a step toward independence.

The same population came together to form political alliances—some radical groups, others middle-of-the-road—that created a new government for Estonia and overthrew the occupiers.

Mrs. Tusty still seems amazed as she describes the country’s history: “They did it. They took the actions, and they stood in the fields, not knowing what was going to happen—100,000 people in a field, singing illegal songs.”

Estonia today

Mrs. Tusty said that, when she and her husband have attended screenings and offered to answer questions afterward, movie-goers have much to ask about Estonia. Most of all, people want to know what the country is like today.

“Estonia is a vibrant and dynamic country now. Its nickname is “the Baltic Tiger,” Mrs. Tusty declared. “It’s a beautiful place to visit. The people are embracing their freedom.”

She added that seeing faith of those who fought Soviet oppression caused her and her husband to evaluate their own faith.

“I would sit across from someone, interviewing them about being deported to Siberia,” she recalled. “The opportunity to even meet these people and be given this perspective made me think, “What do I believe? What would I have clung to? Would I even have survived?”

“These people held onto their core and never, ever lost sight of that. It forces you to look at your own faith and recommit.”

(Mrs. Tusty hopes “The Singing Revolution” will be screened in Albany in the spring. When it finishes its theatrical run, the movie will be available for purchase on DVD. Learn more at www.singingrevolution.com. Mountain View Productions website is www.mvglt.com.).

Reproduced, with permission, from the Editor, The Evangelist, The Official Publication of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany.

Editor’s Note: At the time of writing, The Singing Revolution was scheduled for screening at the Princess Theatre in Edmonton and the Globe Theatre in Calgary, June 20-26, 2008.

Photo credit: Estonian Song Festival website