Kalev

2022 [ET]

Action / Drama

2
IMDb Rating 7.2/10 10 913 913

Plot summary

The Soviet Union teeters on the verge of collapse in 1990 and tiny Baltic nations struggle to take back their independence. A rising tide of public opinion opposes the Estonian national team's participation in the USSR's basketball championship. The team makes the unpopular choice to participate.

Director

Ove Musting Photo
Ove Musting

Top cast

Meelis Rämmeld Photo
Meelis Rämmeld as Aggressive Guy in the Bar
Siim Maaten Photo
Siim Maaten as Andrus Nagel
Rain Tolk Photo
Rain Tolk as Journalist 1
Taavi Teplenkov Photo
Taavi Teplenkov as TV Reporter
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB
866.71 MB
1280*536
Et 2.0
NR
Subtitles us   et   ru  
25 fps
1 hr 34 min
Seeds ...
1.74 GB
1920*804
Et 5.1
NR
Subtitles us   et   ru  
25 fps
1 hr 34 min
Seeds 4

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by BeneCumb 8 / 10

A stirring yet somewhat shallow tribute

Kalev is a solid and engaging historical sports drama that brings to life a significant yet often overlooked moment in Baltic history-the Estonian basketball team's bid for victory during the final USSR Basketball Championship in 1991, just before the collapse of the Soviet Union. The film captures the era's spirit effectively, from Soviet architecture and fashion to the tense political atmosphere surrounding Estonia's fight for independence. Against the backdrop of current global tensions, this story resonates even more powerfully.The pacing is commendably brisk, keeping the audience engaged throughout. Performances by Mait Malmsten, Priit Võigemast, and Reimo Sagor stand out, adding emotional depth and sincerity to the film. The decision to focus the narrative through the eyes of the coach and team manager rather than the players offers a refreshing perspective in the sports film genre.However, Kalev doesn't fully rise to the heights that critics have claimed. Despite being based on an emotionally charged and inspiring true story, the film often feels formulaic. The basketball scenes lack the intensity typically expected in sports dramas, and key players are barely acknowledged, which feels like a missed opportunity.While the film succeeds in blending historical commentary with sports drama and offers a heartfelt tribute to Estonia's past, it ultimately remains somewhat superficial in character development and emotional stakes. Still, it's a worthwhile watch-especially for those interested in Eastern European history or underdog stories-with a message of resilience and national pride that still holds meaning today.All in all, Kalev is a compelling watch with historical value, and as someone who is not into sports, I liked it.
Reviewed by bohdanascheinostova 7 / 10

A nicely done modest unpretentious picture

Eventhough I am not a big sports fan myself by any means, I quite enjoyed watching "Kalev" as it is gripping, touching, sincere and genuine. The political issues of USSR and Estonia in the 90s are deeply rooted in the narrative, which makes this film not just another sports film about following your hopes and dreams. In contrast to other film about sport competitions (where the concentration is usually on the players/one of the players)"Kalev" leads its plot mostly through the point of view of the team's coach Jaak Salumets and manager Riho Soonik - which puts a nice spin on the sports-film genre. The costumes, haircuts and filming locations were true to the 90s era and the colour palette was not overly bright or radiant which rightly reflected the grim atmosphere in Eastern Europe at that time. I also appreciated the fast pace of the whole film and shorter runtime, which was perfect for this type of film. Although I read that some moments are not historically accurate (such as involment of some players and other historical figures), I can still recommend this film.
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