The Invisible Fight (Estonian: Nähtamatu võitlus) is a 2023 internationally co-produced action comedy film directed by Rainer Sarnet.[1] Set in the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic during the 1970s, the film stars Ursel Tilk as a would-be kung fu fighter.[2]

The Invisible Fight
EstonianNähtamatu võitlus
Directed byRainer Sarnet
Screenplay byRainer Sarnet
Produced byKatrin Kissa
Starring
CinematographyMart Taniel
Edited byJussi Rautaniemi
Music byKoshiro Hino
Production
company
Homeless Bob Production
Release date
Running time
115 minutes
Countries
LanguageEstonian

At the 2024 Estonian Film and Television Awards, The Invisible Fight won the most prizes of the night, with a total of nine awards including Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Scriptwriter.[3]

Premise

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Feeling alienated by conformist Soviet society, heavy metal fan Raphael encounters an underground society of Eastern Orthodox monks who practice kung fu.[2]

Cast

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Production

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Katrin Kissa of Homeless Bob Production produced The Invisible Fight, which was co-produced with White Picture, Neda Film, and Helsinki-Filmi.[4]

Release

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The Invisible Fight premiered on 11 August 2023 in the Concorso Internazionale section of the 76th Locarno Film Festival.[1] Later that year, the film screened at Fantastic Fest and the Sitges Film Festival.[4] The film was acquired for North American distribution by Kino Lorber.[4][5]

Reception

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Critical reception

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 57% of 14 critics' reviews are positive.[6]

Accolades

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Award Ceremony date Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Locarno Film Festival 12 August 2023 Golden Leopard The Invisible Fight Nominated [1]
Estonian Film and Television Awards 12 April 2024 Best Film The Invisible Fight Won [3]
Best Director Rainer Sarnet Nominated [3]
Best Scriptwriter Won [3]
Best Actress Ester Kuntu Won [3]
Best Actor Ursel Tilk Won [3]
Best Original Music Koshiro Hino Won [3]
Best Production Design Jaagup Roomet Won [3]
Best Editing Jussi Rautaniemi Won [3]
Best Costumes Jaanus Vahtra Won [3]
Best Make-up Anu Konze Won [3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Nähtamatu võitlus". Locarno Film Festival. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b Nicholson, Amy. "'The Invisible Fight' Review: Iron Fist vs. Iron Curtain". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "The Invisible Fight and Smoke Sauna Sisterhood Share Estonian Film Awards for 2023". Film New Europe. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Wiseman, Andreas. "Estonian Heavy Metal Kung-Fu Comedy 'The Invisible Fight' Gets North American Deal, Watch Teaser". Deadline. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  5. ^ "The Invisible Fight". Kino Lorber. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  6. ^ "The Invisible Fight". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
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