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Sunday, December 25, 2011

Quick Tour in Tallinn Old Town

Merry Christmas.

Having a 7-hour layover in Amsterdam on my way back to Tokyo, so I'll recap my past few days in Tallinn.


On the 21st of December, after a similar layover at Amsterdam, I flew to Tallinn via Estonian Air.

Taking the Estonian Air


It was midnight when I reached there.

I like hotels that display my name on TV screen. There's a warm fuzzy feeling when you return to a hotel room alone, and you feel that at least the room TV cares for you.

Tallink City Hotel welcoming me


It was 1am when I took a walk.

A walk through the streets at night


Walking past a tiny park


Saw the Kino Soprus Cinema, which is known for showing arthouse films and being historical.

Kino Soprus Cinema


I then saw the 60 SECONDS OF SOLITUDE IN YEAR ZERO ad.

(in case you missed my last post, I was in Tallinn because me and a group of directors around the world were earlier invited to participate in an omnibus film project 60 SECONDS OF SOLITUDE IN YEAR ZERO.)

60 SECONDS OF SOLITUDE IN YEAR ZERO ad at night


THE NEXT MORNING (cool transition, no?)

60 SECONDS OF SOLITUDE IN YEAR ZERO ad at day


A couple of us directors were taken to a tour at the Tallinn Old Town, which looked medieval. I felt like a character in an Elder Scrolls game.

All-linn – Lower Town 2

All-linn – Lower Town 3

All-linn – Lower Town 4


The Christmas Market had been around since medieval times too. They are good at preserving tradition.

Traditional Christmas Market

Traditional Christmas Market 2

Makeshift stage at the Christmas Market


Alexander Nevsky Cathedral made me think of Tarkovsky's film, ANDREI RUBLEV. Photography not allowed inside though.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral 2


St Mary's Cathedral is also very nice. No photography allowed too.

St Mary's Cathedral

St Mary's Cathedral 2


We went to a viewing platform to look at the entire old town.

View of Tallinn old town


Obligatory photo of myself. Naomi Kawase and her family were behind me.

Me (with Naomi Kawase and family in background)


Looking down upon the old town, and an empty park, I thought of more video game references, or something from a fantasy novel that I used to love so much as I was growing up.

Tallinn old town

Nice-looking park in Tallinn


Evening came, we made our way to the outdoor screening of 60 SECONDS OF SOLITUDE IN YEAR ZERO at Port Tallinn.