In the film "1944," directed by Elmo Nüganen, the real events of the Eastern Front in Estonia during the year 1944 are vividly depicted. The story unfolds from the Battle of Tannenburg Line to the intense July clashes on the Sinimäed Hills, and it continues until November when the Soviet Army had conquered the Sorve Peninsula.
Throughout the film, the audience witnesses the war through the perspectives of those involved on both sides of the conflict: the Estonians who fought alongside the German Army as part of the 20th Estonian Division Waffen-SS, and those who served in the 8th Estonian Rifle Corps of the Soviet Army. For the residents of Estonia, this war presented them with incredibly difficult choices to make.
The film delves into the personal struggles and dilemmas faced by its main characters, such as Carl Tammik and Urey Jogi, who find themselves on opposing sides of the conflict. These challenges also extend to their comrades, family members, friends, and even strangers, reflecting the complex and deeply human aspects of wartime decisions.
