Documentary ”Further away”

This film introduces you to the life and works of the inventor and astro-optician Bernhard Schmidt (1879–1935), born on the island of Naissaar in Estonia. In 1930 he invented a dedicated optical system that came to be known as the Schmidt telescope. This invention contributed to new astronomical research findings which have revolutionised our view of the sky and universe. The music in the film is from the Arvo Pärt album Te Deum (ECM).

”When Bernhard Schmidt passed away on December 1, 1935, a little boy named Arvo Pärt was lying in his cradle in Paide, Estonia. At any given time, there must apparently be at least one Estonian who makes Estonia world-famous.”
– Laurits Leedjärv, Astronomer at the Tartu Observatory at the University of Tartu (from the introduction in the book ”Bernhard Schmidt – the inventor from Naissaar”)

“Further Away. The story of an astrophysicist”
Director Peter Östlund
Sweden, 37 min
Film is in English language, with Estonian subtitles

The screening will be followed by Tõnu Kaljuste’s conversation with director Peter Östlund.