Ants Saar

We Were Eighteen

It's 1940 - the first summer of the Soviet occupation on the Estonian island Saaremaa. Teenagers stepping in their lives have important decisions to make. Should they support the Soviet regime or join the resistance?

Traces

Heino Raagen and his war comrades begin a new battle while arriving at their home village - establishing a collective farm. The sufferings and fears of the war have exhausted people; nevertheless, they still stick together and protect their close ones. Heino's girlfriend Valve hides the plans of her brother Robert hiding in the forest from him; as a result, their relationship will fall apart. Life goes on, but disappointment and anger will take their toll even when years have gone by.

Under the Same Roof

Mari has successfully led a collective farm in 1950s and fulfilled all tasks given from the authorities. Nonetheless, things in the collective farm become progressively worse. The Committee of the Communist Party sends its representative Peeter who learns that Mari acts as a tyrant for the local people. She has to resign during the elections of the new manager. Being without authority has a damaging effect on her so she starts to regain her position with the help of her old stalinist tricks.

Pöördel

Raivo Kotkas is the new head of the collective farm "Victory". His predecessor Mihkel Vutt has practiced command economy, production has gone down and the cattle has partly perished. Bookkeeper Olep is quite a crook who has played an essential role in the degradation of the collective farm - quite a few good workers have left work because of his cheating. Young agronomist Salme makes up her mind to leave the farm as well. The new chief wins the workers' trust and recovers their belief in the fruitfulness of their work.