A Documentary Glance at the Curses of an Estonian Artist:
By
Greta Varts
The 2011 documentary
follows a known Estonian actor in his failing attempts at battling alcoholism,
finding work and maintaining relationships. Arvo Kukumägi (born in 1958) is one of
the few Estonian actors who can primarily be called a film actor. He has also
had roles in the theatre, but his best known and most valued roles belong to
Estonian film classics, such as „Ideaalmaastik“
(Ideal Landscape, 1980, dir. Peeter Simm), „Keskea
rõõmud“ (Midlife Joys, 1984, dir. Lembit Ulfsak), „Karu süda“ (The Heart of the Bear, 2001, Arvo Iho) and many others.
All together, starting his career in 1977, Kukumägi has over 40 films under his
belt to this day, in addition many television projects and theatre roles. However,
the curse hanging over the realisation of talent and a happy fulfilled life for
and artist, is the common, yet personal devil of alcohol.
The camera follows Kuku
(known nickname for Arvo Kukumägi) in harsh and emotional episodes of his life
and one of the best aspects of this documentary is the feeling that the camera
has had no obstacles in terms of getting close to both Kuku and the people
around him. We see the good and the bad, the viewer is as close as can get to
both joy of life and despair. The viewer receives up close the emotional love
for life and for people that Kuku finds in the hopeful moments, at the turning
points of starting again. Yet the viewer is also forced to witness first hand the
moments of hopelessness at times when Kuku’s face has become almost
unrecognisable from the swollen agony of drink, when the shattered remains of a
human being are presented to the people around him by the seemingly never-ending
drinking cycle. We see him at his best and his worst.
It is also interesting to observe Kuku’s many roles in life. The two main people well portrayed and important parts of Kuku’s illness and heart, are his girlfriend and a childhood friend, a disabled man from Kuku’s birth place Setumaa. The suffering of the girlfriend and remaining at Kuku’s side through worst of times is a remarkably emotional story of sacrifice and love. His fatherly relationship to his disabled friend is a touching portrait of the corners of life so unattainable to the average cinema goer. Kuku is a complicated character and as much as he lacks control over his drinking, he also encapsulates as a person, full of so much spiritual yearning and joy for life. The film offers a rollercoaster-like journey through the most meaningful aspects of life and somehow manages to pull together a portrait that rises higher than a story of another alcoholic. As mentioned, the documentary shows us also important social settings – the role of an artist in a society, the curious cultural setting of Setumaa (the south-east corner of Estonia) and the co-existing contrasts of Estonia where there is small step between glamorous magazine parties and village drunks wasting away on their front porches.
It is also interesting to observe Kuku’s many roles in life. The two main people well portrayed and important parts of Kuku’s illness and heart, are his girlfriend and a childhood friend, a disabled man from Kuku’s birth place Setumaa. The suffering of the girlfriend and remaining at Kuku’s side through worst of times is a remarkably emotional story of sacrifice and love. His fatherly relationship to his disabled friend is a touching portrait of the corners of life so unattainable to the average cinema goer. Kuku is a complicated character and as much as he lacks control over his drinking, he also encapsulates as a person, full of so much spiritual yearning and joy for life. The film offers a rollercoaster-like journey through the most meaningful aspects of life and somehow manages to pull together a portrait that rises higher than a story of another alcoholic. As mentioned, the documentary shows us also important social settings – the role of an artist in a society, the curious cultural setting of Setumaa (the south-east corner of Estonia) and the co-existing contrasts of Estonia where there is small step between glamorous magazine parties and village drunks wasting away on their front porches.
The contrasts of the social
and cultural context; and the forever remaining choice of succumbing to the
devil or rising above the challenges of addiction is a condition not only
typical to Kuku. Estonian society is one of the leaders in terms of countries
with most cases of severe alcoholism in the world and the documentary
unfortunately offers a familiar sight of challenges recognisable for many a local
viewer. However, the real value of this documentary is the intimate presence of
the camera eye in an also curious double role. In a way the camera serves as a
receiver, a supporting anonymous person to whom these stories are shared. On
the other hand, it serves as an invisible observer with an all-access pass with
no judgement. Adding the multifaceted character of Arvo Kukumägi to the mix,
the documentary serves a gripping and touching viewing for all.
Kuku: mina jään ellu / Kuku : I
Will Stay Alive. Directed by Andres Maimik and Kaidi Kaasik; edited by Martin
Männik and overseen by also Arvo Kukumägi himself. Produced by Kuukulgur in
2011.
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