| The Invisible Fight | |
|---|---|
| Estonian | Nähtamatu võitlus |
| Directed by | Rainer Sarnet |
| Screenplay by | Rainer Sarnet |
| Produced by | Katrin Kissa |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Mart Taniel |
| Edited by | Jussi Rautaniemi |
| Music by | Koshiro Hino |
| Production company | Homeless Bob Production |
| Release date |
|
| Running time | 115 minutes |
| Countries | |
| Language | Estonian |
The Invisible Fight (Estonian: Nähtamatu võitlus) is a 2023 internationally co-produced action comedy film directed by Rainer Sarnet. Set in the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic during the 1970s, the film stars Ursel Tilk as a would-be kung fu fighter.
At the 2024 Estonian Film and Television Awards, The Invisible Fight won the most prizes of the night, with a total of nine awards including Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Scriptwriter.
Premise
Feeling alienated by conformist Soviet society, heavy metal fan Raphael encounters an underground society of Eastern Orthodox monks who practice kung fu.
Cast
- Ursel Tilk as Raphael
- Ester Kuntu as Rita
- Indrek Sammul as Nafanail
- Kaarel Pogga as Irinei
- Sepa Tom as Melhisedek
- Rain Simmul as Big Hat
- Tiina Tauraite as Marfa
- Mari Abel as Zinaida
- Maria Avdjuško as Mother
- Marika Barabanštšikova as Lady
- Rein Oja as KGB agent
- Ekke Märten Hekles as Rudolf
Production
Katrin Kissa of Homeless Bob Production produced The Invisible Fight, which was co-produced with White Picture, Neda Film, and Helsinki-Filmi.
Release
The Invisible Fight premiered on 11 August 2023 in the Concorso Internazionale section of the 76th Locarno Film Festival. Later that year, the film screened at Fantastic Fest and the Sitges Film Festival. The film was acquired for North American distribution by Kino Lorber.
Reception
Critical reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 57% of 14 critics' reviews are positive.
Accolades
| Award | Ceremony date | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Locarno Film Festival | 12 August 2023 | Golden Leopard | The Invisible Fight | Nominated | |
| Estonian Film and Television Awards | 12 April 2024 | Best Film | The Invisible Fight | Won | |
| Best Director | Rainer Sarnet | Nominated | |||
| Best Scriptwriter | Won | ||||
| Best Actress | Ester Kuntu | Won | |||
| Best Actor | Ursel Tilk | Won | |||
| Best Original Music | Koshiro Hino | Won | |||
| Best Production Design | Jaagup Roomet | Won | |||
| Best Editing | Jussi Rautaniemi | Won | |||
| Best Costumes | Jaanus Vahtra | Won | |||
| Best Make-up | Anu Konze | Won |
References
- ^ "Nähtamatu võitlus". Locarno Film Festival. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ Nicholson, Amy. "'The Invisible Fight' Review: Iron Fist vs. Iron Curtain". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ "The Invisible Fight and Smoke Sauna Sisterhood Share Estonian Film Awards for 2023". Film New Europe. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas. "Estonian Heavy Metal Kung-Fu Comedy 'The Invisible Fight' Gets North American Deal, Watch Teaser". Deadline. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- "The Invisible Fight". Kino Lorber. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- "The Invisible Fight". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 20 August 2024.