January 16, 2018, the third film of the Baltic Arts NW series is the 2015 Estonian-Finnish-German film, with English subtitles
Vehkleja or “The Fencer”
“The Fencer” portrays the challenges of a former professional fencer and now a sports teacher, Endel Nelis, in a small Estonian town in 1952.
Nelis is hiding from the Soviet powers and is inspired by the local school children to start a fencing club and to compete with them in the all-Soviet fencing championships.
As is characteristic of Klaus Härö’s melodramas, this film emphasizes the role of children in challenging and inspiring the adults to fight injustice at any cost.
Awards: Jussi Awards 2016 (Best Film); Golden Globes 2016 (Nomination for the Best Foreign Language Film).
Seattle Latvian Center
11710 – 3rd Ave. NE Seattle, WA
Showtime: 7:00 p. m.
Free admission, donations welcome