The Fencer

Name: The Fencer
Genre: Drama, History, Sport
Released: July 21, 2017
Duration: 99 min
Rating: 60
Cast: Alina Karmazina, Ann-Lisett Rebane, Egert Kadastu, Elbe Reiter, Hendrik Toompere Sr.

2017

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Mixed or average reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 4 Ratings

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 4 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

California Film Institute, The | Release Date: July 21, 2017 | Not Rated

Starring: Alina Karmazina, Ann-Lisett Rebane, Egert Kadastu, Elbe Reiter, Hendrik Toompere Sr., Jaak Prints, Joonas Koff, Kaarle Aho, Kai Nordberg, Kirill Käro, Leida Rammo, Lembit Ulfsak, Liisa Koppel, Maria Avdjushko, Märt Avandi, Paul Laasik, Piret Kalda, Ursula Ratasepp

Summary: A young man, Endel Nelis, arrives in Haapsalu, Estonia, in the early 1950s. Having left Leningrad to escape the secret police, he finds work as a teacher and founds a sports club for his students. Endel becomes a father figure to his students and starts teaching them his great passion – fencing, which causes a conflict with the school’sA young man, Endel Nelis, arrives in Haapsalu, Estonia, in the early 1950s. Having left Leningrad to escape the secret police, he finds work as a teacher and founds a sports club for his students. Endel becomes a father figure to his students and starts teaching them his great passion – fencing, which causes a conflict with the school’s principal. Envious, the principal starts investigating Endel’s background. Endel learns to love the children and looks after them; most are orphans as a result of the Russian occupation. Fencing becomes a form of self-expression for the children and Endel becomes a role model. The children want to participate in a national fencing tournament in Leningrad, and Endel must make a choice: risk everything to take the children to Leningrad or put his safety first and disappoint them.… Expand

Director: Klaus Härö

Genre(s): Drama, History, Sport

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 99 min

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Critic Reviews

Randy Cordova

Aug 31, 2017

Despite the film's predictable nature, it's hard not to become engaged. The performances are excellent and Härö directs with a clean hand, pushing toward a suspenseful, stirring climax that hinges on the team's success as well as Endel's freedom. Read full review

Time Out London David Clack

Sep 26, 2016

Props should go to director Klaus Härö for making such a predictable premise feel fresh and his cast of characters – from a suspicious, disapproving headmaster, to the foil-swinging kids – feel engaging. Read full review

Philip Kemp

Nov 2, 2016

Acutely acted, The Fencer strikes home. Read full review

Fionnuala Halligan

Dec 21, 2015

The Fencer plays an entirely predictable match right down to its final bout, but the period Soviet Block setting gives the game an interesting hook, and DoP Thomo Hutri’s muted location shots prove atmospheric. Read full review

The Guardian Leslie Felperin

Jul 19, 2017

The set-up is a bit schmaltzy and the only guesswork is how bitter the bittersweet ending will be, but Haro coaxes strong performances from the cast. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Glenn Kenny

Jul 21, 2017

None of this is particularly difficult to watch; the cinematic competence, the sincerity with which the clichés get served up, and so on, make a relatively smooth viewing experience. But they also render what would have been an at times harrowing real-life story into something safe and bland. Read full review

Maia Silber

Aug 10, 2017

Finnish Director Klaus Haro has a sharp eye, and his shots deftly juxtapose the delicate beauty of the Estonian lowlands with the harsh reality of life under Soviet rule. But the script, written by Anna Heinamaa, gives him little more than an aesthetic landscape to work with. Read full review

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