Hilje Murel Movies, TV Shows, and Filmography
Hilje Murel
Acting
Biography
Hilje Murel (born December 17, 1975) is an Estonian stage, film, and television actress. Hilje Murel was born in the town of Võru in Võru County. She is a 1998 graduate of the EMA Higher Drama School (now, the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre) in Tallinn. Among her graduating classmates were: Tiit Sukk, Veikko Täär, Harriet Toompere, Andero Ermel, Liina Vahtrik, and Jan Uuspõld. Hilje Murel made her film debut in starring role as Li in the Rainer Sarnet-directed 1998 dramatic short film Libarebased ja kooljad in 1998, which was adapted from the collection of short stories by Qing dynasty Chinese writer Pu Songling and produced by Eesti Televisioon (ETV) and Eesti Telefilm. In 2003, she appeared in the role of Linda's daughter in the Rando Pettai-directed, Peep Pedmanson penned comedy Vanad ja kobedad saavad jalad alla (English release title: Made in Estonia). The film was based on the popular Estonian television comedy series Vanad ja kobedad. In 2004, she had a starring role in the Andres Maimik-directed dramatic short film Kurat tuleb sauna; based on the leitmotif Saunakuuldemängu of Estonian writer Mati Unt. This was followed by a small role as Nasta in the 2008 Ain Mäeots-directed Exitfilm biographical feature film Taarka, based on the play of the same name by Kauksi Ülle about the difficult life of Seto folk singer Hilana Taarka. Taarka has the distinction of being the first feature-length film in the Seto dialect, and won the 2008 Estonian Cultural Endowment Debut Award. In 2013, she played the role of Silvi Säinas in the Toomas Hussar-directed comedy-adventure film Seenelkäik; the film was selected as the Estonian entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards, but it did not make the final shortlist. In 2013, Murel played the role of Berit Piir in the family-fantasy drama Väikelinna detektiivid ja valge daami saladus, directed by René Vilbre and penned by Mikhel Ulman. In 2016, Murel had a small role in the Valentin Kuik and Manfred Vainokivi-directed melodrama Perekonnavaled. In 2018, she appeared in a supporting role in the Liina Triškina-Vanhatalo-directed drama Võta või jäta and in 2020, appeared in the Peeter Simm directed coming-of-age period drama Vee peal. In 2020, she voiced the character Mother Rat in the Meelis Arulepp and Karsten Kiilerich directed animated film Sipsik, based on the popular 1962 children's book of the same title by Eno Raud
Filmography Movies
Acting
Shift
When Miina, a seemingly well-off woman is caught shoplifting, the female officer truly uses her chance to show off her contempt. She sees a rival in the shoplifter and decides to teach Miina a lesson. Surprisingly, both women meet just a few hours later in a situation where the previous rivals become partners in crime and must trust their fates in the hands of each other.
The Little Comrade
In the midst of Stalinist tyranny, six-year-old Leelo's mother is sent to a prison camp. Haunted by her mother's last words telling her to be a good kid, Leelo vows to be on her best behaviour in the confusing grown-up world in the hope that it will bring her mother back.
Taarka
The first film in the Seto language in the world speaks about the brightest heroine of a small people, the folk singer Hilana Taarka, a woman who lived her whole life as an outcast in a small chimney-less hut; as an unmarried mother of children in poverty, begging her bread, doing odd jobs and singing. She always sang the truth, sometimes bitter, sometimes funny, sometimes cruel. She was feared, despised and coveted. Taarka sang throughout her remarkable life, throughout her fate, from a small Seto village to international fame. And she sang well. Really well. Taarka became the Mother of the Song, a legend. But as a woman, as a member of the community, the Seto people never really accepted her. Taarka - a despised woman and a worshiped singer.
Take It or Leave It
One sleepy Saturday morning a 30-year-old construction worker Erik gets some earth shattering news: his ex-girlfriend Moonika who he hasn't even seen for the past six months is about to go into labor. She however is not ready for motherhood and if Erik doesn't want the kid either, the little girl will be put up for adoption.
Christmas in the Jungle
Moving from Latvia to exotic Indonesia has proven to be quite a challenge for Paula’s (10) family. Her Mother has a hard time adapting to the country. Her sister, Kate (14), is entering puberty, and her Father’s workaholic nature is causing tension in the family. Luckily, the local boy Akhim (12) offers a ray of hope by telling Paula about special Shaman living in the jungle who has a superpower to bring Christmas everywhere. That must be Santa Claus himself! Kids join on a joyful adventure to find Christmas in the Jungle!
Under the Clouds: Fourth Sister
Three sisters (doctor Piret, interior designer Mari and psychologist Kertu) discover that they have one more sister. Shocking news challenges family relationships and forces them to ask why their mother has hidden her first child's existence. When the fourth sister decides to come and visit her mother and sisters in Haapsalu, events that nobody could expect started happening. Is blood thicker than water and the stranger becomes theirs?
Made in Estonia
Two talented radio actors from Estonia have their lives turned upside down by the arrival of Gerli.
August 1991
August 1991, military coup d'etat in Moscow. When Soviet tanks are on the streets of Tallinn, Estonia, all hopes for independence seem to be lost. People in the only local television station, ETV, are facing their own choices.
Kalev
The Soviet Union teeters on the verge of collapse in 1990 and tiny Baltic nations struggle to take back their independence. A rising tide of public opinion opposes the Estonian national team's participation in the USSR's basketball championship. The team makes the unpopular choice to participate.
Kinnunen
Amazing adventures of a Finn in Estonia. A Finn in search of wife.
Gallery
