Criminal Case about the video "Estonian Flag"
26.08.2008 the criminal case was started about this video and I was told to take the video down from internet. Someone had reported this video to police and I was suddenly under suspection of bastardising Estonian national flag. Bastardising flag is a serious crime in Estonia and it is possible to inprison people for that. Me and my sister, who did the filming, were invited to police station where we were asked questions about the video. I gave them proofs that I am a professional artist and the video is made on art purposes only. They started to investigate this case and during this time me and my sister were not allowed to leave home for more than 24 hours. The investigation lasted until 12.04.2010. Now the criminal case is closed and it is decided that we are not quilty. I uploaded the video online again.
11. 09. 2008 this video was on TV news, where the reporter argued, if it was bastardising or not. Internet comments which followed, weren't pleasant. Several people wanted to kill me or wished I sat in the prison.
Conception of the video
This video analyzes the symbols of national identity: flag and anthem. The two main characters, white human being and black dog symbolize two opposite forces, fighting over the flag. Estonians have always been occupied by other countries. Our national flag and anthem have been thus very important to Estonians and people feel very strongly for any attack towards these symbols. In my video black dog is like "Russian bear" or "Big brother" who threatens Estonians' freedom. Black stands for passion and nature, white stands for ratio and culture. Since the world is globalizing and Estonians take over foreign culture in almost dangerous amount - youngsters speak Estonian-English mixed language - the white person gives up easily and black forces tear our flag into pieces.
Our anthem has been an issue in media. Many people wish to change it, because they dislike the athemn, created by German author Pacius. Estonian author Gustav Ernesaks has also created a song in 1950es, which matters much more so people would like it to be an anthem. That is why I start with the regular Pacius' song and finish with Ernesaks' song.
I personally have never preferred one nation to other and I am against myths about "fool Americans and "passionate Russians". My message is that small country should be able to hold on its own, if it wants to remain independent. At the same time they shouldn't be too nationalistic and csenophobic, which, I guess Estonians have turned into. There should be reasonabe balance between Us and Big (br)Other.