“Ask the Dead About the Price of Death” is a philosophical exploration of the human mind trying to stay true to itself under the totalitarian system where small people make all the difference or none at all.
Review by Henryk Johan Novod
The director and the time of discomfort
Directed by Kaljo Kiisk, one of the most well-known and active filmmakers during the Soviet era of Estonia (1945 - 1990), Ask the Dead About the Price of Death (Surma hinda küsi surnutelt, 1977) is based on the rebellious act of Soviet underground movement that took place in 1924. All of Kiisk's most valuable works were directed during the Soviet era (“Ask the Dead...” is his ninth film) which was a time of fear, strict rules and censorship. For the film directors it meant that they had very few options to make a movie that didn't serve the ideology of Soviet Russia. Every politically themed film was supervised by the censors and it was very common that a lot of film didn't get funding or a theatrical release just because there was something that didn't serve the views of the political system. Kaljo Kiisk is a great example of an adapted film director who managed to make thought provoking and intriguing films about the life and history of Estonia without being completely censored. Of course some of his films were put on hold or never have been released but that was quite natural during that period. That means that even the most skillful eye didn't match to the strict censorship.
A “hero“ ready to die for his socialist beliefs
„Ask the Dead About the Price of Death“ is somewhat true, but still quite elaborated story about a man named Anton Sommeri who is imprisoned after the failed attempt of Soviet underground movement to overthrow the local Estonian government. Estonia won their independence from Soviet Russia in 1920. But the shells of Soviet counter-movement managed to be active even during Estonia's independence. 1924 is a very important historical event that showed that Soviet Russia was still trying to take over Estonia. This fictional character Anton Sommeri took part in that act of aggression on the government but the whole thing failed. Members of the underground movement were hunted down and imprisoned. In the beginning of the film Anton Sommeri is imprisoned and interrogated to discard his beliefs and rat out his comrades. Sommeri stays true to his beliefs and against all odds manages to stay strong and brave during the imprisonment. Kiisk`s quite psychological and philosophical approach reflects the commitment and strength of a one man in a dangerous situation. He is ready to die for his socialist beliefs spread by Soviet Russia. At the same time we discover the fear and anxiety among the rebels who try to figure out why they failed and how to save Sommeri from his certain execution.
A delicate exploration of Estonian occupation
It is a very delicate subjet to explore. From a contemporary Estonian point of view the rebels are part of the dark past of occupation, but from a Soviet perspective the rebels are the heroes of the film. It is natural because nobody had the chance to make a political film that discredits Soviet Russia and questions the harsh condition during the Estonian occupation. Kiisk figured out how to avoid taking sides and created true humane characters that didn`t reflect the Soviet ideology. Instead he tries to explore the definition of sacrificing yourself to stay true to your beliefs and not letting anybody manipulating you to sell out yourself and your brothers in arms.
A philosophical approach of filmmaking
Kiisk`s approach is completely philosophical. If you are not familiar with Estonia's history you do not have to worry about not completely understanding the film. The film doesn't give names or the overview about that time, because it is not necessary. The subject matter of inner strength and staying true to your beliefs is dominating over the true events that took place and it doesn't try to show you the rebels as a romantic heroes who are fighting for communism or Estonia as a evil little country what is controlled by treacherous secret police and government and that the country is in need of change. In this case in need of true communism. This balance was very hard to produce because every film in Soviet Russia were always intended to praise communism and show how everything is much more better than before. Kiisk`s direction is subtle and with a unnerving mood. The rebels are facing an unprecedented danger when they are staying in independent Estonia. Their attempt failed and it means that they have to regroup and escape from Estonia in the fear of imprisonment. Kaljo Kiisk shows them as emotional humans with flaws and dreams that they had to leave behind to commit themselves to the cause.
Fears and regrets of unfortunate characters
The film follows a linear narrative from Sommeri's imprisonment to the unfortunate fate of him and the rebels who flee from the country to face another danger. The Soviet system didn't use to forgive failures and we can only imagine what happened to those who had to face their punishment. It is the sense of constant fear of the unnamed but always present danger that lurks these groups of people whose ideology wont save them from the unfortunate fate of failure even when they are the true soldiers. We are introduced to the tense situation of Sommeri and his lover. The imprisonment brings up long forgotten feelings for each other and the always lurking fear of death. Kiisk explores these two characters, their fears and regrets and their selfless but immerse strength to commit to the cause but the most important part of these characters are their humanity which is a rare sight to see in a film made during the Soviet era of Estonia. Humane characters in extreme situation were never true to life because the Soviet system demanded propaganda for their ideology. No film was free from this task but it took tremendous amount of wit and skills to present a story that challenged the censors and managed to go public.
„Ask the Dead about the Price of Death“ is a fine example of political film that managed to pass the censors, the pressure of ideology and live a short but still successful life with its intelligent way of seeing humanity still attached.
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