Maria Avdyushko

Maria Avdyushko (born May 9, 1968) is an Estonian actress, film producer, director and screenwriter. Avdyushko is the daughter of Russian actor Viktor Avdyushko and Estonian actress Liina Orlova, who is of Russian and Estonian descent. She was born and raised in Tallinn. In 1990 she graduated from Tallinn State Conservatory's performing arts department. From 1992 until 2014, she was an actress in Estonian Drama Theatre.

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Hotel E (1992)

A confrontation of two worlds-- Two rooms, one of which is full of light and colors, the other a monotonous gray.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Priit Pärn
CAST:  Gita Kalmet  •  Arne Sirel  •  Timo Viljakainen  •  Egon Nuter

A confrontation of two worlds-- Two rooms, one of which is full of light and colors, the other a monotonous gray.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Priit Pärn
CAST:  Gita Kalmet  •  Arne Sirel  •  Timo Viljakainen  •  Egon Nuter

Peace Street (1991)

On Christmas Eve, the residents of Peace Street discover that there are military guards in front of their houses. Soon they have to start showing their passports when entering their homes. The residents are told by the authorities that in order to keep the peace ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Roman Baskin
CAST:  Mikk Mikiver  •  Jüri Järvet  •  Katrin Karisma  •  Maria Avdyushko

On Christmas Eve, the residents of Peace Street discover that there are military guards in front of their houses. Soon they have to start showing their passports when entering their homes. The residents are told by the authorities that in order to keep the peace ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Roman Baskin
CAST:  Mikk Mikiver  •  Jüri Järvet  •  Katrin Karisma  •  Maria Avdyushko

The Graveyard Keeper's Daughter (2011)

A snapshot of one segment of Estonian present-day life, shown through the eyes of a child: 8 years old Lucia is leading a jolly and naughty Pippi-Longstocking-style life in a small town in Estonia. Her father Kaido, a graveyard keeper, can hardly provide for the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Katrin Laur
CAST:  Kertu-Killu Grenman  •  Maria Avdyushko  •  Ülle Kaljuste  •  Rain Simmul

A snapshot of one segment of Estonian present-day life, shown through the eyes of a child: 8 years old Lucia is leading a jolly and naughty Pippi-Longstocking-style life in a small town in Estonia. Her father Kaido, a graveyard keeper, can hardly provide for the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Katrin Laur
CAST:  Kertu-Killu Grenman  •  Maria Avdyushko  •  Ülle Kaljuste  •  Rain Simmul

Mat the Cat (2005)

Martin a boy with adjustment difficulties, moves with his mother to a new place. Martin has a habit of always getting into all kinds of trouble, and on the last day of school, everything goes wrong. Martin likes the school principal's daughter Marta, but the girl ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  René Vilbre
CAST:  Madis Ollikainen  •  Kadi Sink  •  Andry Žagars  •  Ott Sepp

Martin a boy with adjustment difficulties, moves with his mother to a new place. Martin has a habit of always getting into all kinds of trouble, and on the last day of school, everything goes wrong. Martin likes the school principal's daughter Marta, but the girl ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  René Vilbre
CAST:  Madis Ollikainen  •  Kadi Sink  •  Andry Žagars  •  Ott Sepp

Set Point (2004)

On one summer evening, four strangers are brought together by a mysterious murder. A case which at first seems like a regular crime investigation turns out to be something more - a tale of love, alienation and new hope.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ilmar Taska
CAST:  Carmen Kass  •  Priit Võigemast  •  Maria Avdyushko  •  Peter Franzén

On one summer evening, four strangers are brought together by a mysterious murder. A case which at first seems like a regular crime investigation turns out to be something more - a tale of love, alienation and new hope.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ilmar Taska
CAST:  Carmen Kass  •  Priit Võigemast  •  Maria Avdyushko  •  Peter Franzén

The Fencer (2015)

Fleeing from the Russian secret police, a young Estonian fencer is forced to return to his homeland, where he becomes a physical education teacher at a local school. The past however catches up and puts him in front of a difficult choice.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Klaus Härö
CAST:  Märt Avandi  •  Ursula Ratasepp  •  Hendrik Toompere Jr.  •  Liisa Koppel

Fleeing from the Russian secret police, a young Estonian fencer is forced to return to his homeland, where he becomes a physical education teacher at a local school. The past however catches up and puts him in front of a difficult choice.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Klaus Härö
CAST:  Märt Avandi  •  Ursula Ratasepp  •  Hendrik Toompere Jr.  •  Liisa Koppel

Landscape with Many Moons (2014)

“Landscape with Many Moons“ is a drama about a middle-aged man who lives a seemingly ordinary life with his wife and children. The truth is, however, that their relationship has reached a dead end but they prefer the illusory decorations of living together to the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jaan Toomik
CAST:  Hendrik Toompere Jr.  •  Maria Avdyushko  •  Jaanika Juhanson  •  Sergei Furmanjuk

“Landscape with Many Moons“ is a drama about a middle-aged man who lives a seemingly ordinary life with his wife and children. The truth is, however, that their relationship has reached a dead end but they prefer the illusory decorations of living together to the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jaan Toomik
CAST:  Hendrik Toompere Jr.  •  Maria Avdyushko  •  Jaanika Juhanson  •  Sergei Furmanjuk

The Little Comrade (2018)

In the midst of Stalinist tyranny, six-year-old Leelo's mother is sent to a prison camp. Haunted by her mother's last words telling her to be a good kid, Leelo vows to be on her best behaviour in the confusing grown-up world in the hope that it will bring her ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Moonika Siimets
CAST:  Helena-Maria Reisner  •  Tambet Tuisk  •  Eva Koldits  •  Liina Vahtrik

In the midst of Stalinist tyranny, six-year-old Leelo's mother is sent to a prison camp. Haunted by her mother's last words telling her to be a good kid, Leelo vows to be on her best behaviour in the confusing grown-up world in the hope that it will bring her ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Moonika Siimets
CAST:  Helena-Maria Reisner  •  Tambet Tuisk  •  Eva Koldits  •  Liina Vahtrik

Fire Lily (2018)

The mystical and thrilling drama asks what sort of reality can give our life meaning. The film tells the story of Pia (38), an ophthalmologist, whose marriage has recently ended because she was not able to have children. As she strives to move forward with her life ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Maria Avdyushko
CAST:  Ingrid Isotamm  •  Johann Urb  •  Eva Eensaar  •  Rasmus Kallas

The mystical and thrilling drama asks what sort of reality can give our life meaning. The film tells the story of Pia (38), an ophthalmologist, whose marriage has recently ended because she was not able to have children. As she strives to move forward with her life ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Maria Avdyushko
CAST:  Ingrid Isotamm  •  Johann Urb  •  Eva Eensaar  •  Rasmus Kallas

Midday (1982)

The film based on Eno Raua's stories "Päris kriminnene lugu" and "Telepathic lugu" takes the viewer to a summer town in Estonia, where boys and girls meet with exciting adventures, dreams and falling in love. There are no real forensics and telepathy here, but it ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Raivo Trass
CAST:  Maria Avdyushko  •  Ülari Kirsipuu  •  Tormi Kevvai  •  Sven Suurraid

The film based on Eno Raua's stories "Päris kriminnene lugu" and "Telepathic lugu" takes the viewer to a summer town in Estonia, where boys and girls meet with exciting adventures, dreams and falling in love. There are no real forensics and telepathy here, but it ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Raivo Trass
CAST:  Maria Avdyushko  •  Ülari Kirsipuu  •  Tormi Kevvai  •  Sven Suurraid

For Crazies Only (1991)

A young man is taken to a small town hospital after a suicide attempt. Rita is a beautiful married Russian nurse taking care of him.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Arvo Iho
CAST:  Margarita Terekhova  •  Mihkel Smeljanski  •  Hendrik Toompere Jr.  •  Lembit Ulfsak

A young man is taken to a small town hospital after a suicide attempt. Rita is a beautiful married Russian nurse taking care of him.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Arvo Iho
CAST:  Margarita Terekhova  •  Mihkel Smeljanski  •  Hendrik Toompere Jr.  •  Lembit Ulfsak

Candles in the Dark (1993)

Candles in the Dark is the story of a girl who comes to visit her father's homeland, the Soviet Republic of Estonia. After she arrives, she finds that her father is part of the dissident anti-soviet underground. She soon find her self engulfed in the struggle with ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Maximilian Schell
CAST:  Alyssa Milano  •  Chad Lowe  •  Günther Maria Halmer  •  Natalya Andreychenko

Candles in the Dark is the story of a girl who comes to visit her father's homeland, the Soviet Republic of Estonia. After she arrives, she finds that her father is part of the dissident anti-soviet underground. She soon find her self engulfed in the struggle with ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Maximilian Schell
CAST:  Alyssa Milano  •  Chad Lowe  •  Günther Maria Halmer  •  Natalya Andreychenko

Touched by the Unknown (2005)

Mati is an assistant in TV studio. Patiently he has waited for his time to become a TV star but seems that he has to wait forever. One day an alien called Tipp is sent on Earth (by its chief Tapp) to find out the purpose of Estonian children's TV show "Tipp and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jaak Kilmi
CAST:  Tiit Sukk  •  Raivo E. Tamm  •  Peeter Oja  •  Ülle Kaljuste

Mati is an assistant in TV studio. Patiently he has waited for his time to become a TV star but seems that he has to wait forever. One day an alien called Tipp is sent on Earth (by its chief Tapp) to find out the purpose of Estonian children's TV show "Tipp and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jaak Kilmi
CAST:  Tiit Sukk  •  Raivo E. Tamm  •  Peeter Oja  •  Ülle Kaljuste

Golden Beach (2006)

Retroband Evergreen's reunion party is ruined when Viktor, who was once the band's frontman, threatens to blow the house up for revenge of his sad destiny.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jüri Sillart
CAST:  Marika Korolev-Pihelpuu  •  Mait Malmsten  •  Taavi Eelmaa  •  Ülle Lichtfeldt

Retroband Evergreen's reunion party is ruined when Viktor, who was once the band's frontman, threatens to blow the house up for revenge of his sad destiny.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jüri Sillart
CAST:  Marika Korolev-Pihelpuu  •  Mait Malmsten  •  Taavi Eelmaa  •  Ülle Lichtfeldt

The Salmons: 25 Years Later (2020)

A lot has happened in a quarter of a century, but the Salmons have remained who they were - Estonia's first family, who have been viewed with both admiration and quiet envy. Viewers of the former series remember how well the Salmon family was able to make money. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Toomas Kirss
CAST:  Ita Ever  •  Guido Kangur  •  Merle Palmiste  •  Andrus Vaarik

A lot has happened in a quarter of a century, but the Salmons have remained who they were - Estonia's first family, who have been viewed with both admiration and quiet envy. Viewers of the former series remember how well the Salmon family was able to make money. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Toomas Kirss
CAST:  Ita Ever  •  Guido Kangur  •  Merle Palmiste  •  Andrus Vaarik

On the Water (2020)

Andres is a sensitive teenager raised by his strict grandparents in a small bland Soviet Estonian town. He is being bullied at school and his only friends are the drunkards, whores, and thieves living next door.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peeter Simm
CAST:  Rasmus Ermel  •  Kalju Orro  •  Aurora Aleksandra Künnapas  •  Maria Klenskaja

Andres is a sensitive teenager raised by his strict grandparents in a small bland Soviet Estonian town. He is being bullied at school and his only friends are the drunkards, whores, and thieves living next door.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Peeter Simm
CAST:  Rasmus Ermel  •  Kalju Orro  •  Aurora Aleksandra Künnapas  •  Maria Klenskaja

Unt's hour (2015)

One of the most extraordinary personas in Estonian cultural history is undoubtedly the writer, director, publicist, lecturer and a public figure Mati Unt. The Documentary Unt’s Hour takes us back to the bright generation of the ‘60s with their innovative and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Maria Avdyushko
CAST: 

One of the most extraordinary personas in Estonian cultural history is undoubtedly the writer, director, publicist, lecturer and a public figure Mati Unt. The Documentary Unt’s Hour takes us back to the bright generation of the ‘60s with their innovative and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Maria Avdyushko
CAST: 

A Bad Scene: Mesmerized (2018)

"A Bad Scene" is a film compilation, which speaks about the darker currents hiding in human relationships, situations, which are practically inescapable, in five different ways. The fourth short film, “Bewitched”, directed by Maria Avdjushko, talks about ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Maria Avdyushko
CAST:  Ester Kuntu  •  Margus Prangel  •  Adele Taska  •  Piret Kalda

"A Bad Scene" is a film compilation, which speaks about the darker currents hiding in human relationships, situations, which are practically inescapable, in five different ways. The fourth short film, “Bewitched”, directed by Maria Avdjushko, talks about ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Maria Avdyushko
CAST:  Ester Kuntu  •  Margus Prangel  •  Adele Taska  •  Piret Kalda

A Bad Scene: Christmas Mystery (2018)

"A Bad Scene" is a film compilation, which speaks about the darker currents hiding in human relationships, situations, which are practically inescapable, in five different ways. Harassment, mental violence, manipulation, cornering – these topics are current in both ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andres Maimik  •  Katrin Tegova
CAST:  Markus Habakukk  •  Maria Avdyushko

"A Bad Scene" is a film compilation, which speaks about the darker currents hiding in human relationships, situations, which are practically inescapable, in five different ways. Harassment, mental violence, manipulation, cornering – these topics are current in both ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Andres Maimik  •  Katrin Tegova
CAST:  Markus Habakukk  •  Maria Avdyushko
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