"Names Engraved in Marble" by Elmo Nüganen (2002)

The ‘must-be’ national epic movie

Essay by Taavi Lehari

Last year of World War I. In February 1918, a small eastern-European country declares it’s independence, in November starts Estonian War of Independence to defend itself political status ...

This multi-functional story has two dimensions like most ‘based-on-true-life’ war films. Firstly, of course, the whole theme about this certain war and nation, secondly the focus point what is represented through young and slightly naive students who rush in the war front.

This was a debut film for actor and theatre director Elmo Nüganen, who adapted this story from same-name autobiographical novel by Albert Kivikas. As predicted, it became a hit in Estonian cinemas and still holds viewer record – 167 000 (12% of population).  

Due to World War II and occupation of Estonia from 1940 to1991, this is the first film after regaining the independence which deals with liberation war events. In 1927, well-known director Theodor Luts made a silent-movie “Noored kotkad” (“Young Eagles”) on the same subject.

A corridor-country

For 700 years, territory of Estonia has been ruled by other nations, countries and orders. In spite of that, Estonian language, culture and nationality had remained. In 19th century the first National Awakening occurred and this became a great assumption for declaring Independence in 1918 what actually was ‘right time – right place’ kind of happening. Territory of Estonia was no-longer a part of Russian Empire. At that time nobody imagined how this country would function by it’s own, especially during war. Nevertheless, this country with population of 1 million was born.

May 1918, (3 months old) Republic of Estonia is occupied by German Keiserreich, soon after that, World War I will end with Germany is defeated. That also stops German authority in Estonia. Meanwhile communists have taken over Russian Empire and attack Estonia to establish itself in Europe. Mobilization in Estonia fails, so the only hope are up to volunteers.  28. November the War of Independence begun. With the help of Finnish, British, Latvian and white-Russian armies, Estonian Army fought against Bolsheviks and Baltische Landeswehr until the victory in 1920. These events construct the basic time-line for this epic tale.

‘Will they be victorious or get names engraved in marble’

The film focuses on a class full of boys from Tartu who have a choice – to join army and become social heroes, risking their lives, or to stay back and watch how their country manages to stay independent, gaining themselves a title of coward. So the film also deals with the great manhood question, whether they have the courage or not.

Students from Tartu School of Commerce show us the variety of young male characters and their different stories in this particular event. Same age, place and time, but totally different reactions, background and destiny. Formation of becoming from a boy to a man if we’re talking about war conception. Growth and develop of these young troops is clear and visible. Their behaviour in their first assignment is a bit ridiculous and  cowardly. Almost opposite to behaviour in the end. All these young men put their lives in danger to protect this young country, realizing that maybe they’ll never see it free again.

A soft war hero

The biggest conflict falls on the shoulders of Henn Ahas, protagonist, doubting in war conception. On one side, he sees young republic struggling in capitalism and army’s minority. On the other Bolsheviks, whose ambition is to give freedom and equality to everyone through communism, planning to achieve it with bloody revolution though. Ahas who is soft-tempered and silent young man who has to make this decision between his inner wants and social pressure.

Since he’s the youngest son from a rather poor family, his older brother Ants Ahas represents him a very important figure. But when it comes to war, finds Henn himself in front of a dilemma. Will he be like his older brother who goes to fight? Or will actually listen to Ants who recommended to support their parents, cause losing both is unbearable. As the story unfolds, we see that Henn will join the army and meet his brother in the front. But from the enemies side.

  The Estonian Potemkin and the birth of a nation

When I try to compare this film to well-known movie-classics, the first two flipping in my mind are Eisenstein's “Battleship Potemkin” and Griffith’s “Birth of a Nation”. Griffiths classic because of it’s theme, which is very similar to Estonian movie. Kind of ‘must-be national epic movie’. Main reason, why Eisenstein's masterpiece, are the dramatic shooting and battle sequences, what recalled scene called “Odessa’s stairs”. Dramatic dying moments in the centre of a war looks very similar to overrunning the stairs in Potemkin.

Big pro for foreigner viewer is the length and concentration. It’s 90-minute walk in history, skipping the political information or giving it through details and focusing individually, raising empathy. It’s concrete, but not too instant; informative and tragic; romantic and beautiful.

The genre is war, romance and drama. It’s clear when it comes to war and drama, but the romance is mostly added by the director to form it into more film-likely story. This is another difficulty, also hope, what is thrown in front of the protagonist. Romantic episodes are calming the viewer and still reminding that the characters are young and green. Director told that the romance should warm the viewer, because all the cold tragedy and war-action can be too depressing. Love brings hope to this story and is one of the biggest reason why this film isn’t that sad as it could be.

A piece of culture

As said, “Names Engraved in Marble” is national epic-movie, what has important part in culture and history, not so much in film nor art history. Of course it’s possible to talk about the aesthetics of this film, but we have to consider that it really wasn’t the first aim for this piece. It had to capture many memories and fill the cultural hole in national filmography. With this film, Estonian can present their historic past to world and keep it for younger generations as learning material. There’re certainly mistakes, especially in continuity and rather theatrical acting, but the tragedy of this tale takes the attention from these details.

Since this film was the Elmo Nüganen’s first, it also was Estonian first war-drama after a long time. That means Estonian  war-experimenting action scenes, explosions, shootings etc. are a bit rough and not so overwhelming like in Hollywood, of course, but they’ll make the right expression for the viewer. We can still say it was a big step for national movie-making.

Watch trailer!