Äratus (English: Awakening) is a 1989 Estonian historical drama film directed by Jüri Sillart.
[2][3] The manuscript of the film was written by writer and playwright Rein Saluri and presented to Tallinnfilm editor Tiina Lokk in late 1986 or early 1987.
Jüri Sillart, who had worked as a cameraman and cinematographer up to that point in his career, showed an interest in the material and was hired as the director.
Historian Mart Laar interviewed subjects who were deported to Siberia in the late 1940s for research and the manuscript was finalized on Hiiumaa by Saluri and Sillart.
[4] The filmmakers later recounted that they were surprised that it was not difficult to make a film about the deportations during the end of the Soviet era.