Klass (2007)

Director:

Ilmar Raag

Writer:

Ilmar Raag (writer)

Release Date:

16 March 2007 (Estonia)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

An average guy of an Estonian high-school decides to defend his bullied classmate. This starts war between him and the informal leader of the class. As teenagers' honour is a touchy thing, everything ends in bloodshed.

Plot Keywords:

Teacher Student Relationship | Feelings | Bullied | Youth Violence | High School

Awards:

5 wins

Cast

Vallo Kirs	...	Kaspar
Pärt Uusberg	...	Joosep
Lauri Pedaja	...	Anders
Paula Solvak	...	Thea
Mikk Mägi	...	Paul
Riina Ries	...	Riina
Joonas Paas	...	Toomas
Kadi Metsla	...	Kati
Triin Tenso	...	Kerli
Virgo Ernits	...	Tiit
Karl Sakrits	...	Olav
Liina Joonas
Saara Kadak
Kaspar Kannelmäe
Brita Kikas
Mirjam Mesak
Max-Sander Mikli
Imre Paabo
Robin Pajuste
Petra Sauemägi
Kaarel Sööt
Silver Uusküla
Laine Mägi	...	Klassijuhataja
Kaie Mihkelson	...	Direktor
Merle Jääger	...	Ajaloo õpetaja
Marje Metsur	...	Emakeele õpetaja
Kaspar Kaljas	...	Kehalise kasvatuse õpetaja
Leila Säälik	...	Kaspari Vanaema
Margus Prangel	...	Joosepi Isa
Tiina Rebane	...	Joosepi Ema

Directed by
Ilmar Raag

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Ilmar Raag		writer

Produced by
Kaspar Kaljas	....	executive producer
Gerda Kordemets	....	executive producer
Ilmar Raag	....	producer
Riina Sildos	....	producer

Original Music by
Martin Kallasvee
Paul Oja
Timo Steiner

Cinematography by
Kristjan-Jaak Nuudi

Film Editing by
Tambet Tasuja

Production Design by
Eva-Maria Gramakovski

Costume Design by
Agne Talu

Makeup Department
Merike Petri	....	makeup artist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Margus Karu	....	first assistant director
Gerda Kordemets	....	assistant director

Art Department
Kaisa Pitsi	....	property master

Sound Department
Horret Kuus	....	sound designer
Kristian Miilen	....	sound recordist

Special Effects by
Armin Altorf	....	special effects
Lauri Laasik	....	special effects

Visual Effects by
Lauri Laasik	....	digital effects

Camera and Electrical Department
Christian Johannes Kask	....	first assistant camera
Alvar Kõue	....	second assistant camera
Erik Põllumaa	....	electrician
Anno Proosvelt	....	gaffer
Anna Stepanova	....	camera operator
Sten-Erik Toos	....	lighting assistant

Editorial Department
Lauri Laasik	....	color corrector

Production Companies

• Amrion
• Eesti Televisioon (ETV)

Distributors

• NonStop Sales AB (2007) (worldwide) (all media) (worldwide sales)

Also Known As:

The Class (International: English title)

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

Estonia

Language:

Estonian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Sweden:15

Company:

Amrion

Trivia:

A sequel serial has been announced. The pilot episode is due to air in 2008.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Kaspar is released from the shed and his mobile phone rings, you can here a polyphonic ring tone, but the phone he is using is obviously Nokia 5110 or something of this kind of (you can see the antenna) which does not support polyphonic ring tones.

Quotes:

Joosep: Get it, man... Nobody in our class protects Joosep.

Realistic high school experience; not innovative, but still good

Even though I have seen this - school violence - before (as mentioned, in "Elephant" by Gus van Sant or even in soviet "Chuchelo") I liked "Klass". The development of the story sometimes was too predictable or over exaggerated, at the same time it wasn't boring at all.

It is always hard to understand why young people take one position or another in situations depicted. It is especially hard when you are an adult and high school seem to be very distant in time. But let's be honest, systems of relationships among high school students are functioning in the same way as we see it in the movie. I give it "9" just for what the "Klass" is without comparing it to similar-themed productions. I believe the story, as I do believe in it's power to invoke a discussion about all kinds of violence among the youngsters.