Estonian Film ‘New Money’ Explores Wealth’s Surprising Consequences

The film industry welcomed the international premiere of New Money, an engaging exploration of wealth and its complexities, at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival on November 14, 2023. Directed by Estonian filmmaker Rain Rannu, this feature serves as a follow-up to his previous dramedy, Free Money, and humorously tackles the question: what would one do with 50 million euros, roughly equivalent to $58 million?

Rannu’s latest project attracted a full house during its Baltic Competition screening, where laughter filled the air. Returning to their roles from Free Money, actors Märt Pius and Steffi Pähn portray the couple Taavi and Liisa. The cast also includes Ivo Uukkivi, Elina Masing, Edgar Vunš, and Keith Siilats, all under the banner of Rannu and Tõnu Hiielaid’s production company, Tallifornia. Sales for the film are being managed by Baltic Crime.

The narrative follows humble teacher Liisa and modest IT expert Taavi, who agree to a tabloid interview aimed at promoting financial literacy. However, their candidness leads to a flood of anonymous insults, unwanted advances, and unsolicited proposals. The couple’s newfound fortune, derived from their 50 million euros in Bitcoin, quickly turns into a source of confusion and regret for Taavi.

Rannu shared anecdotes from the filming process, which included scenes set in Miami. He clarified that New Money is not a direct sequel to Free Money, but rather an opportunity to delve deeper into the lives of characters he enjoyed working with. “When I made the last one, I really liked those two characters, and I thought that maybe it would be great to spend some more time with them,” Rannu stated. “I sent it to the actors, asked them, ‘Is this a thing? Should we do it?’ And they said: ‘Sure, yeah, absolutely.’”

The director also expressed his passion for the editing process, highlighting its critical role in shaping the final product. “In editing, you can make it or break it. There are so many things you can do, especially with micro nuances – what to focus on more, what to focus on less,” he explained.

The film’s core message resonates with viewers, encapsulated in the theme of “more money, more problems.” This sentiment reflects the headaches and challenges that arise from sudden wealth. Rannu hinted at the possibility of a third installment set in the same universe, mentioning that “a couple of good ideas are floating around already,” which would further explore the stories of characters introduced in New Money.

As audiences look forward to the film’s release, the trailer for New Money promises a comedic yet thought-provoking experience about the implications of sudden wealth and the complexities of human relationships.