Ümera jõel brings Estonian historical story to the screen
Wednesday 2nd September 2026 on 10:45 in
Estonia
Preliminary filming for the historical adventure film Ümera jõel began in August at the Aidu quarry in Ida-Viru County, with actor Kaspar Velberg calling the story important to Estonians, ERR’s Ringvaade reported.
For many Estonians, Mait Metsanurk’s historical novel Ümera jõel is familiar from their school years. The story follows the fictional military campaign of Vello, the elder of Mä giste parish, into Latvian lands and incorporates the historical Battle of Ümera, which was described in the Chronicle of Henry of Livonia.
The film is being directed by Mikk Mägi, who is best known for creating the Old Man cartoon and film. Ümera jõel has been in preparation for 15 years.
Mägi said he had long wanted to make a period film set in the age of knights, partly because The Last Relic was one of his favourite films as a child.
The director was also drawn to the relationships between the characters. He said the story’s patriotic themes could be explored through the relationships between real fathers and sons, including the question of what a father actually is.
Actor Ursel Tilk plays Vello, the elder of Mä giste parish. Tilk described Vello as the son of Vesse, a father who does not favour him, leaving him an outcast. Vello then begins a journey to prove himself and protect and preserve his people.
Erling Eding plays the witch Kahro. For the film, he wore dental caps for the first time.
Eding said the caps significantly changed the space in his mouth and required extensive practice before filming so he could recite the spells without them falling out.
Velberg, who plays Ommo, said Ümera jõel was an important story for Estonians. Because the action takes place in the distant past, he said, the film also leaves room for fantasy. The result will be a hybrid of what is known and what the filmmakers imagine, he said.
Paul Oja is composing the film’s music. He visited the set for the first time during Ringvaade’s visit and said his mental picture of the film was very similar to what he saw there.