Estonia nominates Take It or Leave It for the Oscars
- The Estonian submission for the Best Foreign-language Academy Award is Liina Trishkina-Vanhatalo’s feature debut
Estonia’s nomination for the 91st Academy Award for Best Foreign-language Film is Liina Trishkina-Vanhatalo’s Take It or Leave It [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile].
Take It or Leave It is a poignant social drama that evokes themes of fatherhood and parental responsibility. After unexpectedly finding out that he is the father of a new-born child, 30-year-old Erik (Reimo Sagor) is hit by another surprise when the mother walks out and he has to decide quickly whether he will allow the child to be given up for adoption or will assume custody of the baby himself.
The selection committee is traditionally composed of seven members, and this year was no different: producer Maie Rosmann-Lill, cinematographer Mait Mäekivi, distributor Siim Rohtla, film critics Tõnu Karjatse and Tristan Priimägi, film director Kadri Kõusaar, and director of the Estonian Film Institute Edith Sepp thought the winner was clear. “This film has a good chance of getting noticed because of its socially relevant topic, which comes across as something fresh today,” remarks Sepp.
In the words of the film's producer, Ivo Felt, Take It or Leave It observes the journey of a regular Estonian man becoming a father, doing so in a straightforward manner while avoiding excessive moralising. “Liina Trishkina-Vanhatalo’s modern take on the theme is impressive and moving, without underestimating the audience. We hope this film sparks some recognition and will be warmly received at home and abroad," comments Felt. It is his third recent entry for the Oscars, after being nominated with Tangerines [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] in 2015, and making the shortlist of the nine final films a year later with The Fencer [+see also:
trailer
interview: Ivo Felt
film profile].
Take It or Leave It will be released domestically on 14 September. It was produced by Allfilm (Estonia) and was made as part of the Estonia 100 film programme.
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