The documentary 'Happiness is Living in Our Land', directed by Indrek Spungin, is set to hit cinemas on March 6. It has recently won an award from the Estonian Cultural Endowment for audiovisual arts, highlighting its significance in the Estonian cultural landscape. The film narrates the story of the punk band Velikije Luki, formed in late October 1982, against the tumultuous backdrop of the Soviet Union's dissolution.

Spungin's film delves into how the band members, Ivo 'Munk' Uukkivi, Allan Vainola, Peep Männil, and Villu Tamme, faced governmental repression while attempting to express themselves through music. Despite the challenges and bans imposed by authorities, the band persisted in their journey, fueled by the liberating effects of alcohol and driven by serendipitous encounters that eventually contributed to the broader events leading to the Soviet Union's collapse.

The film takes on a satirical tone, as noted by Spungin, capturing the exaggerated absurdities of Soviet-era life and the punk scene. The band’s members adorned themselves with Soviet orders and symbols, parodying the very regime that sought to suppress them. This documentary not only tells a unique musical tale but also reflects on the cultural and political transformations of the era, making it a significant addition to understanding Estonia's historical context and punk culture.