my sister, Linda and I saw the film at the Midtown Theatre in Harrisburg, Pa., and were so moved - still are - we want to see the movie again and again - I'm so happy to see the DVD is now available - I've told & e-mailed many people about this film - My sister & I were born in America, - our mother, uncle & Grandmother & Grandfather escaped Estonia in 1945 or so & lived in a displaced person's camp in Germany for several years before being sponsored by a Lutheran Church in New Jersey and coming to America, my mother was 14 or so when she arrived in the United States. Growing up, my sister & I have heard the stories from the old country - but until we saw the film we never realized or could visualize what we were told - Our mother passed away in 1993 - and our grandmother in 1998 - gram was 101 years old our Uncle Yuri Sander was the last left, living in Devon England working as a Merchant Marine - he passed away 3 years ago - like we were told our whole lives, only God knows what happened to any other relatives on my mother's side - Siberia - only the Lord knows - I cherish my Estonian heritage as does my sister - Thank you so much for letting the world know what an absolutely brave, patient & caring people the Estonians are!!!! I would love to know if anyone can trace our family's roots - my mother was Marian Sander, my Grandmother Frieda Brown Sander - I understand her mother's surname was Thomson, my Grandfather was Voldemar Sander, he was a doctor outside of Tartu, I had an uncle Hillar Sander, conscripted by the Russians & killed by their hand, and as I said and Uncle Yuri Sander, all deceased - my sister & I would cherish any and all information about our heritage. Thank you, Marianne Baker

I am excitedly waiting for my DVD and book to arrive after October 27!
Now that the DVD is out of the way, are there any plans for a CD with music from the movie?
Angela

p.s. good luck to Linda and Marianne! What about placing an ad in one of the Estonian newspapers?

Hi Angela:

On the website store page there are several music CDs available with songs from the film. We're not really able to create a traditional 'film soundtrack' since so much of the music is taken from old archival video, or we only have in segments. So instead we found the songs recorded with Estonian choirs and at the Song Festival, already on CD. Those are some of the CDs now up on the website.
thanks for posting!
maureen tusty

Marianne:
Thanks for sharing your personal history, I love hearing the different connections people have to the film - whether they're Estonian or not!

When Jim & I were first in Estonia it was tough tracking down Jim's family history, especially since neither of us really speak Estonian. We found a lawyer who specializes in genealogies and he was able to trace Jim's roots pretty far back. (And it wasn't too expensive at the time.) So that's maybe one way to go if you want to try and search out more on what happened to your family.
maureen tusty

Wow, reading the comments left by Marianne Baker reflect so much how I have felt as a first generation Estonian American as well. It is both comforting and exciting to learn of other USA Estonians and their stories and feelings. I have not yet been able to make a screening and am so eager to see this film!

Hi,
actually im a estonian and i have to say that this is absolutely great that you have done this,spread the word almost all over world,Thanks
Continue with the hard work.

Greetings from Estonia

I have seen this movie many times now, both in theatres and on Estonian and the US DVD. I just watched the director's commentary on the US DVD. Really great work, I learned many new things about the movie, its making, and editing and production. Highly recommended.

This is for Marianne. I think you will find this website very informative. It is the museum of occupation in Estonia. It lists those that were taken and sent to Siberia or the camps in Perm. The url is:
http://www.okupatsioon.ee/english/lists/index.html
On the left hand side of the website look for the heading Lists in alphabetical order, then click on that. From there click on the letter and it will list all persons taken. There are several Sanders listed and one is Juri Sander. There are also several Thomsons listed as well. This part of the website is not in English but it may help you out some.

Katrin

Hi Katrin:
We've had contact with the Estonian Museum of Occupations throughout this project, but I'm embarrassed to say I wasn't aware of this information being available on the website. It's a tremendous resource and a powerful, painful reminder of how many average people were simply shipped out of the country - with so few ever returning.
Thanks for posting this.
maureen

You are welcome Maureen. I found the site a few years back when I was doing some research before I went to Estonia. My grandfather and others, friends of my parents are listed there and they never came back. When I went to Estonia I with my Mother went to the Museum. It was hard for my Mom and her haunting memories of what took place before she and my Dad fled were so strong that she had to leave. It was heartbreaking but at the same time there was closure, a painful one, but still one after all. Questions that had been with her for so many years were finally answered.

On a brighter note I am also so proud of the film you and Jim have made. Thank you so very very much. I have already watched it 3 times in the first week that I recieved it, and will be seeing it at the theatre next month. And I know I will be watching it again and again. It is a true treasure and masterpiece.

Katrin