On February 4, 2010 Estonian Forrest Brother Alfred Kaarmann died at the age of 87.
A small portion of Alfred's experience as a Forest Brother is shared in "The Singing Revolution". You may recall the images of an elderly man showing one of the underground bunkers in which he survived for eight years, one month, and seven days.
A few facts about Alfred Kaarmann's life:
*During the German occupation of Estonia Alfred was drafted and forced into the German army near the end of WWII.
*At the end of the war, when the Soviets re-occupied Estonia, Alfred was targeted for deportation to Siberia because he had been in the German army (his brother had already been sent to a prison camp for the same reason).
*So he fled to the forest to hide, and joined the Forest Brothers resistance movement.
*After 2 years in the forest he was shot in the arm while fleeing a Soviet ambush and lost his arm due to the injury.
*After 8 years, one month, and seven days in the forest, Alfred was betrayed and captured by the Soviets.
*He was sentenced to 25 years, and survived 15 years, in a Soviet prison camp. He was released "early" in 1967.
*His high school sweetheart, Kleina, waited for him all this time. While hiding as a forest brother, Alfred would visit her when he could - only staying briefly each time so as to not put her family at risk. During this time they had a daughter.
*As a former "political prisoner", he was not allowed to live in Estonia upon his release from prison. But Kleina could not leave Estonia, as she was born there and free travel was not allowed in the Soviet Union. So Alfred chose to live in Latvia near the Estonian border and illegally crossed over to visit his common-law wife and daughter (authorities never allowed them to marry legally).
*Finally in 1981, he was allowed to live in Estonia again, and Alfred and Kleina were finally able to live together. But he was on the Soviet list of "undesirables" and finding work to survive and provide for his family was always a challenge.
*Alfred's wife Kleina died in 1992.
*During his interview Alfred spoke very proudly of his daughter, who at that time I believe was working as a lawyer in Europe.
Having had the privilege of meeting and talking at length with Alfred through the making of this film was a powerful experience for both Jim and myself. It was an honor to get to know him. At the risk of sounding trite, I will share with you that Alfred Kaarmann became a personal symbol for us of what a person can endure, survive through, and even thrive over.
Whenever we hit a personal roadblock, or yet another financial crisis with the film and catch ourselves heading into self-pity, all one of us has to say to the other is "Alfred Kaarmann", and everything is instantly put back into perspective. Our tribulations are petty indeed.
Alfred's story is so important, and so powerful to hear in his own words, that the Collector's and Educational DVD sets for "The Singing Revolution" have nearly 50 minutes of Alfred's full interview. No music, no pictures...just Alfred telling his story in his own words. It is as compelling as any Hollywood drama.
There's a 2 minute clip from Alfred's Interview on the TSR Facebook page talking about what his wife endured while he was in prison. I think it's quite moving. Go to: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=304458248138&oid=5172328175&saved
Remarkable story. I watched your film for the first time last night. A minister in Melbourne, Australia recommended it to my husband when we were there last December.
I will recite the Universal Peace Covenant in honor of Albert when I am in the Peace Dome on the campus where I live. One of the lines "Peace is our birthright." strikes me as appropriate to his story.
Sincerely,
Christine Madar