My Family and Other Clowns

The married couple Haide and Toomas are actors. They have many fans and their own theatre house. Over 20 years, they have won the hearts of Estonian families with the characters they created – the clown duo Piip and Tuut. But even clowns have children.

Their eldest daughter Emma is following in her parents’ footsteps and is deeply dedicated to theatre. At home, she has often had to take on a motherly role, caring for her younger brother and sister. Siim loves movies and Legos more than anything, but autism prevents him from living an independent teenage life. Taking care of him requires the entire family to master the art of juggling. Anni wishes more than anything that her parents had normal jobs and that she could have a pet of her own.

Because of their profession, the parents are often away from home, and the children must cope on their own in the family’s tiny one-bedroom apartment. Every time Haide and Toomas have to go off to do the work they love – put on costumes, paint on their clown faces, and step on stage to bring joy to the audience – their feelings of guilt about lost time and fear of burnout grow.

How can they secure a future for their children, keep their theatre running, and do it all together? This is a story of sparkle in the eyes and tears on the cheeks – a story that touches every family.

Directors: Heilika Pikkov, Liina Särkinen

Producer: Ülo Pikkov

Cinematographers: Taavi Arus, Heilika Pikkov

Editors: Madli Lääne, Heilika Pikkov, Liina Särkinen

Composer: Ann Reimann

Sound Designer: Horret Kuus

Production Company: Silmviburlane