This film documents a 500-year old Estonian murder story by juxtaposing a modern-day Tallinn photo shoot with the historical legend. It more less comes across as a “mockumentary” since the lives of the portrait actors mirror an archaic tale, albeit one with universal themes.
War, carnage, and retribution come into play in the midst of scenes that go as far as to comically peg the herring as an undying symbol of Estonian identity. 
The legendary story is that of a town lord who escapes to Tallinn to find a better life in the 1500s.
Director Jaak Kilmi, known for his poignant film about life behind the iron curtain (“Disco and Atomic War”), takes an even funnier stance in this movie – this, a montage of scenes that highlight a medieval story and pin it against the oft stark reality of modern day.
The cinematography evokes an ominous feeling about Estonia’s history. We understand this historically fragile country’s place in WW2 and beyond, but what do we see if we look further back?
The portrait actors are dressed up in 16th century garb. Meanwhile, some of them are explaining their lives today, beside their modern-day cars, and the sprawling Estonian landscape.
“All Tallinn residents want to live in the city centre, on the coast and in the forest at the same time,” one character says. Obviously the same was true way back, when a town lord escaped to Tallinn.
In Russian, one actress talks about her life story. “A city is a city,” she says. “It’s like the stage. Everyone can’t hang [out] everywhere.”
A 7th generation Estonian who is part of the photo shoot says he’s grown up in Tallinn. He relates things that have happened in 20th century Estonia, to the 16th century, and today.
And so we have it: a medieval character that fled to Tallinn in the 16th century likely faced the same trials all of us do when defending our livelihood. The old adage, “all is fair in love in war”, still rings true. Now if we could only strut through downtown Tallinn or Toronto in those costumes.
 
Tallinn Spicy Sprats: The Canned Tales will be screen on Monday October 17th, Estonian House, 958 Broadview Avenue, 7pm, pay what you can.