An anthology of the first Soviet Estonian TV Ads is now available on DVD.
Harry Egipt`s commercials anthology on DVD format is on sale. Amongst others it contains the commercial "Luxury Goods", not allowed to be shown on TV. The picture and the sound have been digitally restored from the originals, some of which were thought lost. Also included are about 100 comments voiced by the people who participated in the production of the films as well as some prominent Estonians.The anthology includes 84 commercials mostly produced for Soviet Estonian market but also for Soviet Russian, Soviet Ukrainian and Soviet Moldavian markets. "Many of these films have not actually been seen by the Estonian viewers as they never reached the screen," says Hanno Egipt, son of the director Harry Egipt, the producer of the current anthology.
The first commercials were produced 41 years ago. Estonian Commercial Film Producers (Eesti Reklaamfilm), the company that produced more than 300 short films per year in its most prolific period, was a major Soviet commercials producer. Most of the commercials made over the decades by Eesti Reklaamfilm have, however, been lost, except for the films directed by Harry Egipt. Harry Egipt's commercials are very important in the history of Estonian advertising film, they are historical documents as well as teaching aids, comments Peedu Ojamaa, the founder of Eesti Reklaamfilm. "Dad`s films show the Eighties as carefree and cheerful," says Hanno Egipt, adding that English translation will make them easier to understand for a wider audience.
"The release of the DVD is a starting shot for present-day commercials directors and producers whose wonderful clips that have been created in the newly independent Estonia are gathering dust on the shelves," says Harry Egipt. The commercials were digitally restored by the Digital Film Finland. The DVD was programmed by the Orbital Vox Studios, whose manager Uku Toomet claims that this has been the most complicated DVD ever made in Estonia over the 15 years of his company's history.
"At last many can enjoy their favourite cult commercials, and thanks to digital picture and sound restoration the quality is high. Fortunately a decision was made to restore and release the best films by Harry Egipt – in a couple of years' time the originals would have been damaged beyond repair and a large part of Estonian pop heritage would have been irretrievably lost," adds Sten Saluveer, DVD project manager.
Harry Egipt's commercials won first awards at four consecutive advertising film festivals at Türi. In 1990 Harry Egipt's anti-smoking commercial "Young Smoker" was chosen as one of the three best films at the advertising film festival in Moscow. "Young Smoker" was also represented at the Cannes International Advertising Film Festival in 1991. In addition, clips from Harry Egipt`s films have found their way to Twentieth Century Fox's production of Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.
For most part Harry Egipt's film projects can be considered a one-man show since he is the author, the director and the producer. He did the casting, and handpicked the crew. His work is characterized by an utterly unique, the co-called Egiptean style, which uses innovative ideas, fast editing, original music and gorgeous models. The DVD is accompanied by a brief introduction to Harry Egipt's work.
SOME IMPORTANT FACTS:
- The anthology includes 84 commercials, authored and directed by Harry Egipt.
- The films are supplemented by 46 interspersed comments (no subtitles).
- Total length of the commercials and interviews is 107 mins.
- The films have Estonian and English subtitles.
- The production time was 11 months.
- The anthology was produced by Hanno Egipt, and the films directed by Harry Egipt.
Read more about Harry Egipt, the director of the films > 
