Veiko Õunpuu, a renowned Estonian film director and screenwriter, was born on March 16, 1972, in Saaremaa. He is widely recognized for his thought-provoking, slow-paced artistic films featuring eccentric characters.
Õunpuu's journey in the film industry began with the study of literature, semiotics, and painting. His academic background laid the foundation for his unique storytelling approach.
In 2007, Õunpuu made his feature film debut with "Autumn Ball", a pitch black comedy that explores the themes of loneliness, despair, and hope. The film received widespread acclaim, winning the Venice Orrizzonti award and achieving cinema distribution in Europe and the United States. The Estonian Film Critics' Union even hailed it as the best film in 100 years of Estonian film history.
Õunpuu's subsequent films have also garnered significant attention. "The Temptation of St. Tony", which premiered at Sundance, received the European Talent Award and was Estonia's submission to the Foreign Language Academy Awards. "Free Range. The Ballad of Approving of the World", which opened at the Berlinale, was also Estonia's submission for the Foreign Language Academy Awards.
Throughout his career, Õunpuu's films have been showcased and won prizes at prominent film festivals. His unique style and artistic vision have earned him recognition as one of the 100 most intriguing contemporary film directors, as featured in the book "10*10 in Film" by Phaidon Publishing.
