directed by Kadri Kousaar, Estonia, 2016, 89 min, crime, comedy, english subtitles, original title: Ema

cast: Tina Mälberg, Jaan Pehk, Andres Tabun

Set in a small town in Eastern Estonia, Mother (Ema) is a homespun crime story about rash decisions made in the name of dreams that will have haunting consequences for some time to come. The film focuses on Elsa, a 50-year old woman, whose adult son is left in a coma after a shooting incident. Taking care of him at home, she has to face a whole town trying to solve the puzzle of exactly what happened. The array of suspects include a friend whose real estate business is failing, a girlfriend who has patiently waited for too long, a pupil in the throes of her first love and her potentially overprotective dad, a childhood friend who relies on medication to stay in control, a huntsman for whom the man was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and a school principle who has the hots for Elsa. But in a small town, where everyone knows everyone and everything except for what is right under their nose, the world’s clumsiest crime may go unsolved.

Awards:
Filmfestival Kitzbühel 2016 (Best Feature Film)
Estonian nomination for Best Foreign Language Film (Oscars)