Everyone has, at some time or other, zapped past that popular music station, MTV, which now and again sandwiches charming short films of stand-up comedians, or bizarre little films (with politically correct messages like “save the rain forest” ) by novice filmmakers between the clips and advertising spots. This scanty 1.5 minute black and white film was shown in Estonia in the same way, sandwiched between advertisements. What do we see? The filmmaker - at first expressionless - telling facts about herself such as “I am an Estonian artist”. Each fact is followed by canned laughter as heard on American sit-coms. As she tells us that she “weighs 92 kilos” is “37 years old” and “still lives at home”, the laughter gets increasingly louder, her manner more and more uneasy. She looks up, not knowing where to focus her eyes: “I am not married”. Smiling broadly as though she does not mind: “The most important thing about being an artist is the freedom.” And saying this just after stating that she (only) earns 90 dollars a month teaching at the art institute. Your feelings of compassion might be kindled, but the imperturbable way in which she makes her pronouncements will surely set you off laughing. It is most likely the exaggerated, almost hysterical, American canned laughter that carries you over the threshold and lets you dare laugh at this woman who is really only saying quite ordinary things about herself. For why are you a 'Luuser' if you are still living at home at the age of 37, cannot live from your artistic endeavours, might even be a bit overweight, but yet can close with the announcement: “I am happy”, with the broadest and most winsome smile I have seen in years?
– Morene Dekker
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Camera: Jaan Toomik, Geluid, Editing: Avo Kokmann
Kai Kaljo ° 1959, Tallinn (Estonia)
Lives and works in Talinn (Estonia)
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