Viru. Vabaduse saatkond

A documentary about the history of an extraordinary building. The hotel is much more than just a building – it is a monument and an icon. The interior conceals legendary stories of the people who built the building and stayed there. The film examines the phenomenon of Hotel Viru, both its political and symbolic importance. Interviewees like Sofi Oksanen, Maimu Berg, Eva Lille, Kuno Plaan and other public figures reveal the many facets of the Viru legend, including the politics, the prostitution, the KGB, the businessmen and variety shows involved. The film also shows plenty of archival footage, which has a nostalgic effect, at times, and a completely comical one at others. The interviews are full of humanity – they are interesting, tragic, funny, absurd retrospections of our common history. The first interview seen by the Estonian audience is with the founder of the hotel, Finnish businessman Mikko Repo. Unfortunately this interview was also his last public appearance as he died at the end of 2012. The author of "Viru. Embassy of Freedom" is Margit Kilumets. The producer is Riina Sildos, the directors are Margit Kilumets and Andres Lepasar, the cinematographers are Ivar Heinmaa and Pelle Vellvoog in Estonia and Jouko Seppälä in Finland and the composer is Timo Steiner. The film was co-produced by Amrion and the Finnish studio Kinosto OY and production was supported by the Estonian Film Foundation and the Estonian Cultural Endowment.