SOVIET HIPPIES
2017
The hippie movement that captivated hundreds of thousands of young people in the West had a profound impact on the other side of the Iron Curtain. Within the Soviet system, a colorful crowd of artists, musicians, freaks, vagabonds and other long-haired drop-outs created their own system, which connected those who believed in peace, love, and freedom for their bodies and souls.
More than 40 years later, a group of eccentric hippies from Estonia take a road trip to Moscow where the hippies still gather annually on the 1st of June for celebration that is related to the tragic event in 1971, when thousands of Soviet hippies were arrested by the KGB. The journey through time and dimensions goes deep into the psychedelic underground world in which these people strived for freedom.
The insightful research-driven film, which was produced in Estonia in collaboration with Germany and Finland, reveals unseen archives, rocking music from the Soviet underground, psychedelic animations, and, of course, the historical story of the little-known movement.
The film has been circulating at nearly thirty film festivals globally, winning several awards and mentions. It has been dubbed into four languages and its soundtrack has been released on vinyl.
Director and screenwriter: Terje Toomistu
Cinematographer: Taavi Arus
Editor: Martin Männik
Research advisors: Juliane Fürst and Irina Gordeyeva
Sound recordist: Indrek Soe
Sound design: Seppo Vanhatalo
Animation: Priit Tender
Producer: Liis Lepik
Co-producers: Sami Jahnukainen, Sarita Sharma
Associate producer: Juliane Fürst
Produced by Kultusfilm, Kinomaton, Moukka Filmi.
Lengths 52' & 75'
